Do you have what it takes to start something new? What if you’re too old? What if you fail? Friend, I promise you, we have all been there. You are not alone in this struggle! I urge you to take action! The world needs what you have to offer. Have I convinced you? Chances are, I haven’t convinced you yet, but read on!
But first, let’s talk about how last week went for you. Could you relate to having a lack of inspiration? Has that ever happened to you? Tell me about what you did to get your inspiration and motivation back! Maybe, last weeks post will give you the motivation to get started on something new today!
Have you tried and accomplished something new in the past?
If you have been successful in the past, you can be successful now! You can apply that same attitude and behavior that you used, to overcome the last situation, and apply it to this situation. When you were successful in the past did you wake up early? Talk to someone who had already experienced it? Were you open to learning? If any of those behaviors helped you in accomplishing the last incident, they likely will help you in accomplishing this one! Incorporating the habits, you already have, can be beneficial, because it requires less energy. Even if this goal (or situation) is different than your past goals, you can figure it out by taking one step at a time (read my previous blog post Nobody has it all figured out for more information).
How will you feel if you never try to accomplish this goal?
I don’t know about you, but I always regret the things I never tried. The things I wanted to do, but let them pass me by anyway. All of that unused talent, potential and opportunity almost haunts you! Social media mogul GaryVee said “all of my biggest mistakes are the things I haven’t done, not the things I have done.”
My senior year in high school, I played Fastpitch and I wanted so badly for the team to go to the state playoffs. I wanted it so much that I stressed myself out. I was never satisfied with my performance, which only added to the stress. Miraculously I came to this conclusion: If I give it all I’ve got in every practice and every game, then I can’t be upset with myself. I won’t look back and think I wish I would have done this or that. When you lay it all on the line, there are no regrets to be had. I don’t know where that came from, but it truly helped me be in the moment and to give myself grace. Give it all you’ve got my friends. I don’t care if you fail, at least you went after it with all of your heart.
Right now, I want you to think of your biggest dream, you know, the one thing that you’re the most passionate about. Picture yourself accomplishing that dream, and imagine how you would feel. Who would be there with you when you accomplished it? Now picture yourself never pursuing that dream and you’re lying on your death bed. You’re trying to pass your life experience and knowledge on to your family. How do you feel? How do you talk about the dream you never chased? In that moment, what words of advice do you give to your family? Say those words to yourself now!
There is no doubt about it, failing sucks! Nobody wants to fail, yet it can be a great lesson, if you chose to learn from it. Think of your failure as a lesson learned. It’s merely a guidepost to lead you to the right direction. Know that you usually have to get a few failures out of the way, to get to the good stuff! After a failure adjust or start over again. Lewis Howes says “Don’t be afraid to start over. This time you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.”
What if you fail?
What if you don’t have enough experience?
What if you don’t know if you have enough experience or you worry someone will call you out for not being an expert? Don’t let imposter syndrome get the best of you! Here’s the thing, someone out there needs to hear what you have to say, in the very way that you have to say it! Have you ever heard a message and it didn’t resonate with you? Then, you heard the message again from someone else and it sunk in and really clicked? Everyone takes in information differently. Only you can do you. Someone else needs to hear your voice!
2 case studies
Let me introduce you to two people you may or may not know, and I’ll tell you about their journey.
Have you ever heard of Ernestine Shepard? She is 82 years old and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest female body builder. She started lifting weights at the age of 56. She currently runs, lifts weights and is a personal trainer. If you are under the age of 56 you don’t have an excuse. Matter of fact, if you are under the age of 82 you still don’t have an excuse! If she can do it, you can do it. Get after it. If you are over the age of 82, you can be the next Guinness book of world records holder. Be the person who changes people’s thoughts about age and self-imposed limitations. Be the person who sets the bar, not the one who complains how high it is!
The second person is John Maxwell who is a preacher who pursued becoming an author and public speaker at 48 years old. He is now known as the authority on leadership. He has made such an impact on this world. He could have easily stayed in his career and said he was too old to start something new. That would have been selling both himself, and the world short. Only he could spread his message on leadership in a way that others needed to hear it. What is it that only you could do? Age has nothing to do with accomplishing your dreams. It’s more about a mindset!
Friend, you are at a fork in the road and it’s decision time. What do you do?
We all go through a process of making decisions. When you get scared or fearful you will either take the leap or fall back into the same old routine that you’ve always had. Right now, you may be scared and that’s okay. I suggest you jump while you are feeling that fear. If you don’t, you’ll wait until more time passes you by… until the pain of not working towards your dream gets to strong and you are terrified that it will never happen. According to Dave Ramsey you’ll make a change when “you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.” If you’re feeling the fear of the unknown, embrace it now and jump.
Friend, I hope that you take inspired action today. Respond in the comments and let me know what you want to do and when you want to do it by.
Click here to grab the worksheet that goes along with this blog post!
Marie
[mc4wp_form id=”335″