This is the third in a series on a new approach to the old concept of retirement in Bermuda.

The advice - Don't retire! Reinvent yourself by participating in life to the fullest. Present yourself at your best every day. Work, experience, live.

Those who want to kick back and count fish for the next thirty years need not read on.

Being your best means being (and staying) a standout at any age.

Imagine a crowd of people, say in an airport or shopping mall. It is a complete cross section of demographics: some old, some young, large, small, in between, fat, thin, tall, short, men, women, blond, redhead, brunette, black or gray, curled or straight, displaying cool self-assured posture, or slumped defeated slouches in classy or crassy looking outfits, and so on. It is a complete smorgasbord.

Now, watch all the eyes watching the group. Do you see what I see? Almost inevitably, the majority of gazes slide right by the gray hair, gray looks, middle-aged bodies, dowdy duds and doodly shoes. These people are invisible; in the eyes of the public, they do not count.

Why? What is it about our society that youth, or the ignorance of, is so highly prized? When did the tables' turn from revering the elders as experienced and full of wisdom to being treated as a bunch of old codgers? While I resent this and blame it on marketers and media, really it is us; we only have ourselves to blame.

Oprah famously said, "we teach people how to treat us". Are we olders teaching the world that we don't count as we age with our subliminal messages of defeatism?

You've got the brains, but are you still making the most of your looks?

If you want to to continue to participate in a career you love, a life worth living, and giving back, your persona becomes your message. What do you look like now? Do you need a tune-up? Mentally and physically - everyone has the power until their last breath to change their world and the way that the world perceives them - for the better. But, only you can do this for you.

First encounter of the serious kind. Do you remember how it felt prepping up for that important first date? That was intense preparation - where did that motivation go over the years?

Relationship-challenged situations, such as divorce and survivorhood, almost overwhelming generate self-improvement goal responses in people. Lose weight - get perky; work out - display a six-pack style. None of this is easy by the way, physically or mentally, for anyone in a life crisis, but they do it.

Mostly we know what we should do, but we tend to get comfortable and complacent. This age at this economic time is no time for complacency, if you want to contribute to the job market.

What do you look like now?

Any time you look in the mirror or perceive the disinterested feedback on a co-worker's face, you instinctively know that you may need a bit of self reflection. Yes, sometimes it is them, but it may be you.

What not to wear.

Sweat outfits and other poorly fitting clothes! Those little hoodies and bell bottom hip riser sweats look adorable on adorable people. They are not for you unless you are the runner up for Mr/Mrs Senior Bermuda contest. In that case, you could wear layers of The Royal Gazette and look fantastic.

Ladies, total front support at all times, please. Nothing is less subtle than thinking you are still in the bra-burning generation. Leave the "reveal to the navel" look for the young and the beach - you are into the class act, at all times.

Men, high ankle wader socks that fall down - the worst. Bermuda shorts, so short, they resemble the ones you saved from P5. Please, please wear shorts of the right length and fit, with real knee socks and the right shoes, not rundown old dockers.

Or, emulate the power look of the insurance world. Totally pressed button down collar, no tie, long-sleeved oxford shirt, pleated khaki shorts and well-polished loafers (no socks). Tods are preferable (kidding) but beyond most wallets.

Exercise and weight loss can do wonders - even more than that. In a recent New York Times article, a 17-year Finnish study found that risk of cancer can be reduced by almost 50 percent if you exercise regularly - meaning an hour a day.

Chicken arms. Both men and women need to work hard at tightening up not just arms, but whole body workouts. This can be done inexpensively at home with a few weights and consistent workouts. No excuses. You need endurance and physical strength to remain at your peak.

Teeth. Many are perfectly groomed, but haven't had a dental review in years. There is a reason all these stars pay excessive amounts for capped pearly whites.

Beards. The comment has been made that all men with beards look alike. If this is your forte, make this look stellar and distinguished and always trimmed in time. Otherwise, we won't notice.

Ladies, if it is time for a tune-up, salons know how to truly tune you up.

Hair. Sorry, with the exception of an incredibly avante garde style, gray is out, for both men and women. Ladies, unless you are willing to embrace the Emmy Lou Harris look, you will feel and look better with some of your natural coloring back.

Men - we know it is not fair, too little hair in the right places and far, far too much hair in the wrong places. Tame those walrus eyebrows, noses, sprouting ears, and back of necks. Skip the comb over. Everyone knows you are doing it. No one wants to see hair sail in a hurricane. Work out, work out, and cut that hair way short, just like your younger contemporaries. They look like dudes, so can you.

Above all else, exercise. Your clothes will fit better, you will feel better, and surprisingly, you will generate looks, not look-bys. No matter your taste or your pocketbook, taking back control of the brand called you can make staggering positive differences in your self-confidence and your intellect, giving you the power for the continued pursuit of excellence in all you do. You do not have to invest a financial fortune to be the best of the best, you just have to do it. Youthful, vital, tougher, endurance, powerful, intellectually superior and wise, oh so wise comes with increased respect for yourself and your career.

This article will generate criticism. Those forthcoming will be referred to my friend and colleague columnist, Roger who is more skillful than I in defusing comments.

He doesn't know it yet. I do assure you that none of this is designed to criticise any lifestyle, but merely a reflection of the many comments and attitudes of people I have seen and worked with over the years.

Martha Harris Myron, CPA, CFP(US) TEP(UK) is a Cross Border Certified Financial Planner™ at Patterson Partners Ltd. She provides independent fee-only cross-border tax, estate, investment, and strategic planning services for Bermuda residents with cross-border and multi-national connections, internationally mobile people and US citizens living abroad. For more information, contact mmyron@patterson-partners.com or phone 296-3528.