64 Is The New 30: Why Starting Over At This Age Can Lead To Success

Steve Barr's Medium Profile
The Startup Vagabond
7 min readMay 13, 2023

1. The Contemporary Myth of Age

In today’s society, there is a lot of pressure to achieve success at a young age. We are constantly bombarded with messages that tell us we need to have our lives together by a certain age. But what if you don’t achieve success by that age? Does that mean you’re a failure?

The answer is no. It’s never too late to start over and achieve success. In fact, starting over at an older age can actually lead to more success than if you had started earlier. Here’s why:

1. You have more life experience to draw from.

2. You know what you want.

3. You’re not afraid to take risks.

4. You have a better work/life balance.

5. You’re wiser.

If you’re feeling like you’re not where you want to be in life, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start over and achieve the success you’ve always wanted.

https://unsplash.com/@scw1217

2. The barriers we put up for ourselves

It can be hard to take the plunge and start something new. We often put up barriers for ourselves that prevent us from achieving our goals. Whether it’s fear of failure or concern about not being able to keep up with the competition, these are all real and valid concerns.

The best way to overcome these mental blocks is to simply take baby steps. Don’t dive in with both feet, instead start small and work your way up. Start with a short-term goal that’s easy to achieve, such as reading a few books on the subject or researching companies or people who have succeeded in the area you’re interested in.

When we take the time to understand our goals and build up our confidence, we can start to overcome our barriers and make progress toward achieving them. Don’t be afraid to take risks, as you never know what opportunities are waiting on the other side.

https://unsplash.com/@chrislawton

3. What does success look like?

Success is different for everyone. It looks different depending on the individual and what they want to achieve. It’s important to define success for yourself and set realistic and achievable goals so you have a clear path to follow.

In order to become successful, take time to reflect on what success means to you and your values. Once you have identified what success means to you, break down big goals into small achievable ones.

Having these tangible goals will help you stay motivated and move closer to your vision. When you find yourself feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, look back on the goals you set and remember why you chose them.

Integrity is also a key value when striving for success. Stick to your morals and don’t compromise in order to get ahead. It’s important to stay true to yourself, your values and do what is expected of you.

Success doesn’t happen overnight and requires hard work, dedication, and resilience. Keep going and don’t give up. You are capable of achieving your goals and becoming successful in whatever you choose to do.

https://unsplash.com/@mimithecook

4. How to start over

Starting over at this age can be overwhelming, however, it is possible and can provide great rewards.

1. Make a plan — It’s important to map out what success looks like for you and identify achievable goals that will get you there. Think about the path you will take to get there and break down your goals into small components to make them easier to reach.

2. Remember your why — When starting a new challenge it is important to remember why you wanted to pursue it in the first place. Keeping your “why” in mind can provide motivation throughout the process.

3. Build relationships — Networking can open doors to opportunities you couldn’t have otherwise. Connecting with the right people can provide valuable resources and advice, help you look for job opportunities and gain the support you need during difficult times.

4. Have a growth mindset — It is impossible to be successful without failure. Having a growth mindset is crucial for navigating through the bumps along the path. Successful people view failures as necessary in order to learn and keep going.

5. Invest in yourself — Success starts with you. Investing in your personal development is essential. You can do this by reading books, taking courses, or attending conferences relevant to your career goals. Also make sure to take breaks and recharge to stay motivated throughout your journey.

https://unsplash.com/ko/@rossfindon

5. Why now is the perfect time

There is no definite answer as to when is the best time to start over in life; however, age 64 is becoming a popular one for many. Here are five reasons why:

1. You can draw on your existing experience — A person at age 64 likely has previous experience in their industry, which can be a great benefit when starting over. They have knowledge of practices and procedures that they can draw on and use to their advantage.

2. You have the time to invest — At this stage in life, most people are retired or have jobs with more flexible hours. This gives them the time and opportunity to pursue their dreams that they wouldn’t have had when they were younger.

3. You have the advantage of wise counsel — Older people have a network of experienced and successful advisors that they can draw on. This can provide valuable insights or advice that would be hard to achieve just from online resources or books.

4. You’re at the forefront of changes in the industry — Although we are living in uncertain times, there are also many opportunities for people to take advantage of technological changes and advancements, especially in industries such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics.

5. You can conquer the internet — At age 64, people are starting to be more comfortable and familiar with the digital age. This gives them the tools to be successful in their pursuits, no matter the industry. As an older adult, you just need to keep up and add to your already extensive skill set.

https://unsplash.com/@phardonmedia

6. Where to begin

Knowing where to start is one of the most difficult parts of starting over at 64. Taking the first steps can seem daunting, but it is important to remember that you are capable of new, innovative ideas and can produce amazing results with hard work and determination. Here are six tips to help you get started:

1. Start small — Take small steps and don’t try to achieve everything at once. Focus on specific goals and make them achievable.

2. Get organized — It is important to have a clear plan and schedule. Determine what resources you need and make sure you have them available for when you need them.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — Whether it is talking to people who have done what you want to do or seeking advice from professionals in the industry, having people to help guide you along the way can make all the difference.

4. Research your ideas — Researching ideas is important in order to get an understanding of what has been done before, and how you can make improvements and additions. Understanding the industry as a whole can also help you determine if your ideas are viable.

5. Take risks — Don’t be afraid to try something new or unusual. Taking risks can be the difference between success and failure.

6. Don’t give up — Remember that you are capable of achieving great things, and don’t be discouraged

https://unsplash.com/@prabuuuuu

7. Moving Forward

Starting over at 64 is not easy, but it is worth it! Once you have taken the first steps, the next step to take is to keep moving forward. Here are seven tips to help you progress:

1. Focus on Learning — There is no limit to how much you can learn, so make sure to stay focused and continue learning new skills.

2. Get Creative — Whether it’s finding a new way to do something, or developing a new product, think outside the box and be creative.

3. Network — Networking can be difficult in any age, but it’s super important for the success of any new venture. Make sure to make connections with the right people and keep them informed about your progress.

4. Track your Progress — Once you are finished with one task, take a moment to track your progress. Reflect on what you have achieved, and use it to fuel your success.

5. Remain Flexible — The world of business is always changing, so remain flexible and be prepared to adapt to any changes.

6. Celebrate Your Success — Reward yourself when you complete a goal. This could be something as small as a cup of coffee, or something bigger like a weekend break!

7. Never Stop Exploring — To keep improving and making progress, never stop exploring new ideas. You never know where an experiment could lead.

I’m doing this right now and never dreamed in a million years this is where I’d be but I’ll address the “why” in my next post.

--

--

Steve Barr's Medium Profile
The Startup Vagabond

Author, Publisher,Veteran In Residence @ Bunker Labs, Co-Founder & Host at El Lodge Taos , Open Range Steward, Human Rights & Environmental Advocate, Ski Bum.