Dare to Live Without Limits 3/22/2021

Don't fall back on old excuses for not making changes

“It’s too late,” is one of the most commonly used excuses for making positive changes to your life. In reality, it’s never too late. Each day is a fresh opportunity to pursue your desires. Making excuses not to do so shortchanges your future.
Age is an often used excuse for inaction. If you tell yourself that you are too old, your brain believes you. There are those who are in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s who act old because they think old. Yet there are many people in their late senior years who bound around with youthful vigor. The adage, “age is a state of mind,” has always been true.
Regardless of your age, or prior experiences, it’s never too late to bring your dreams to reality. There are numerous inspirational examples of people who have exemplified this fact. Let’s take a look at some of them.
When Katherine Pelton was 86 years old, she swam the 200 meter butterfly in 1 minute and 14 seconds. She swam faster than people a quarter of her age or younger. Paul Spangler completed his 14th marathon at age 92.
Dr. Leila Denmark didn’t decide to retire from practicing medicine, as a pediatrician, until she was 103. Margaret Ringenberg flew an airplane around the world at age 72. John Glenn, the first person to orbit the earth, also became the oldest astronaut to go into space when he was one of the space shuttle’s crew at age 77.
Bertha Wood had a lifelong dream of writing and publishing a book. Her dream was finally realized when, at age 100, Bertha published her memoirs.
Regardless of what you want to do, it is never too late. Here are just some of the things it’s never too late to do: pursue a goal, learn something new, go back to school, make a change, start exercising, lose weight, get a new job, start a business, and have fun.
Limitations and roadblocks are self-imposed. When you tell yourself you can’t, or won’t do something, your mind believes you. Your brain then actively works to prevent you from accomplishing anything you don’t believe in.
One’s financial situation is another reason given as to why goals are out of reach. “It’s too late because I don’t have enough money,” is one way this excuse is phrased. Bad decisions leading to financial loss also leave one hesitant to move forward.
The above stories about people who were not deterred by their age prove that it’s never too late. There are also countless examples of people weathering devastating financial setbacks, only to emerge even more successful than before their hardships.
Henry Ford went bankrupt twice before he successfully created his car company after his third try. R.H. Macy went bankrupt three times before his Macy’s stores were finally viable. Walt Disney went bankrupt before he finally found incredible success.
Whatever financial challenges you are facing can be overcome. Problems are never a reason for giving up. Mistakes are part of life. Every unintended outcome is a learning experience. There is a solution for each problem you encounter.
It doesn’t matter how old you are. What you have already been through is irrelevant. All that matters is where you want to go from here. Today is the time to get started. All progress starts by taking your first step.
The actions taken today shape your future. Changing one small thing at a time is manageable. Taking small steps is OK. The effort expended improving your situation is never wasted. Your life lies ahead of you, not behind you.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2021 Bryan Golden