Imagine you’re on your deathbed looking back at your life. What do you see?
Do you see a life filled with achievements and happiness or do you see a life filled with regrets and missed opportunities?
Let’s face it, most people probably have some things that they wish they had done differently in life. Does this sound like you? Maybe you wish you had started that business or learned a skill or a language. Maybe your desire for travel was never satisfied. Maybe you wish you had taken more risks or followed a different path.
But you didn’t…and here you sit. You let fear and doubt stop you. Maybe you told yourself you were too old, too busy, or maybe you let other people put those doubts in your mind. Bottom line, a lot of you have settled for less than what you truly wanted. You gave up on your dreams.
The only problem is now it’s too late. You can’t go back and change a damn thing. All you’re left with is to wonder what could’ve been.
How does all of that make you feel?
If what I just said made you feel sad, mad, or disappointed in yourself, then that is exactly why I send these newsletters. My goal is to prove to you that it’s not too late. In fact, it’s never too late. You can still do whatever you’ve been thinking and dreaming of no matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in.
How do I know that?
Because I’ve seen it happen. I know people who’ve defied the odds and achieved amazing things. I’ve seen people who started from scratch, reinvented themselves, and created an awesome success story. These people dropped their vices, sacrificed, and made the life for themselves that they always wanted.
You know what else these people had in common?
They didn’t care how old they were.
The concept of time comes with fear and pressure. We have fears of missing out, fears of time running out, and fears of not spending our time wisely. But those fears are not grounded in anything other than your own belief system.
So how do we overcome the perception that somehow you can’t do something because you’ve had a few too many birthdays?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some universal principles that apply to all of us that can help you.
universal principles:
Confidence: This is the first and most important part. You actually have to believe that you can do what your mind has set out to do. Remember, we build confidence by keeping our word to ourselves. If you can’t trust yourself to do it, who can you trust? When you become certain that you can count on yourself to do what you say you’ll do, then self-confidence begins to grow.
Have a clear vision: Believing in yourself is critical, but you also have to know what you want to achieve and why you’re doing it. Motivation without a clear mission usually gets people going around in circles and never seeing anything through.
Act: I know I said that having the confidence to begin is the most important, but at some point, you have to actually do the work. Proactivity is the number one ingredient when it comes to changing your life. No one will do it for you.
Get help: Remember, you’re learning something new! Don’t expect to be an expert right away. Just because you’ve watched the UFC for 20 years doesn’t make you a competent fighter. You have to learn and allow yourself to be coached and mentored. Find someone who is, or has been, exactly where you want to be.
Enjoy your process: Going after your dreams takes a lot of work. It isn’t easy, but it should be something you enjoy. Listen, you’re going to have setbacks and challenges, but that comes with growth in anything. When it’s all said and done, you’re doing this to be proud of yourself and your story, so why chase something that you don’t enjoy doing?
Time Can’t Stop You, Only You Can
So, are you ready to write your own story? If you are, then you’ve already taken the first step. You need that curiosity to begin the growth process.
But that isn’t enough.
You have to keep going. Your story is constantly being written every day, every hour, every minute. The big question is who’s writing it? You? Your boss? A vice? Someone else?
Listen to me, it doesn’t matter what your age is. Your story is not over. Not even close. Even if you have more years behind you than you do in front of you, you can set a new beginning point at any time. You’re the author, remember? It’s your vision.
Everything you need to write your own masterpiece is around you.
But the key is that you are the one who has to write it. No one else can do it for you. Don’t let anyone tell you what to write, it’s your story!
And the best part of it all…it’s never too late to start.
So, what are you waiting for? Start writing your new story today and don’t stop. Remember, your story is worth writing. It’s also worth reading.
