Why You’re Never Too Old to Change Your Life

Recently I’ve been speaking with more than a few people my age.

The topics varied, but let’s use social media and fitness as examples. The almost universal response to social was, “I don’t get it, but the young people do.”

Fitness? “I’m too old … If I only had the body of a 20-year-old.”

Too old? What the hell? I mean, c’mon.

It’s like people get to a certain age and they slowly start preparing for Farmer Brown to exile them to some shit-filled pasture.

I’m not even close to ready for said pasture, are you?

In fact, I’m drawn to people who want to make some “thing” happen. Those invested in life, from 18 to 88.

Here’s what I think.

Many of us have a come to Jesus moment at some point in our lives. It could come at age 29 or when you hit the half-century mark (Ahem).

It usually comes when the vast accumulation of life you’ve lived is like a pile of “almosts” a mile high and smoldering. A massive pile of shouldas, wouldas, couldas ready to burst into flame.

But when the pile ignites, it’s pure, positive, life-changing energy. This could come at 35 or 65.

Let me give you an example.

I’m not sure if you’re familiar with Marc Maron. He’s a 50-something comedian, actor and raconteur. And I happen to think he’s one of the best interviewers on the planet. His WTF podcast is consistently listed on iTunes top podcasts.

But here’s the thing. He didn’t hit his stride until his mid-40s and finally broke big around age 49. A former struggling comedian now has successful comedy tours, writes best-selling books, and stars in his very own TV show.

Okay, he’s been in “the biz” for years, knows how to work a mic and an audience, but he could have easily given up or gone to something safer at the mid-40 mark.

Instead he chose something new, scary and exciting. The podcast was the medium, but the fire inside made it work. Said fire just came around the time when some people are programmed to throw in the towel.

So now, let me ask you the following…

How old are you?

And does it matter?

I’ll answer for you… NO!

Don’t let the fire in your belly smolder to ash. Stoke it instead.

Really! You only have one life.

If that eureka moment comes at 34 or 64, what’s stopping you from the next step to life change?

Could it be those barriers built on silly beliefs so prevalent in Western society?… You’re too old to be an author, software designer, musician, visual artist, public speaker, scientist, nurse… writer?

When I talk to people my age I often get the feeling they’re winding down and that’s, well, crazy.

In fact, you might just say if you’re over 35, 45, 50… you’re a well-seasoned dish. And all that life you’ve lived was just practice for the big moment (the rest of your life).

So why not get out pen and paper and write down a few first steps today?

What is stopping you? Your age?

This was originally published on Craig McBreen’s Art of Breaking Out