One Number That Has The Power to Change Your Life

No, I’m not talking about your credit score, your social security number, or your net worth. I’m talking about your age! This one number can hold you back, and stop you from doing what you want in your life. But contrary to popular belief, this number is only able to hold you back if you let it.

In fact, it can be liberating to follow your dreams despite your age.

What Is “Age”?

Age is a concept that differs from culture to culture. Basically it is the number of years that have elapsed since you were born. In certain parts of the world, older people are revered and respected as wise men and women. People are happy to grow older. But today in the Western world, we believe that growing old is a bad thing, or that we become less useful as the years go by. You could say we are living in a youth-obsessed culture. Yet young people are not afforded the possibilities to test themselves, to try new things, and to grow into their own shoes until they reach a certain age.

Once again, the way we talk reflects our views about age. We often hear words like “old fart”, “over the hill”, or “old age club”. How do you think your inner self reacts to these derogatory words? On the flipside, young people are told that they cannot do certain things without experience, yet they cannot get experience without doing those things. Similarly, younger people often have to prove themselves before their true worth can be acknowledged. All of these societal stigmas are causing lower self-esteem, which leads to less joyful and productive lives.

So if society and the media are causing us to berate ourselves for our age, what are we doing about it?

We All Make Excuses About Our Age

If you like to use the excuse that you are too old or too young, you are not alone. Many people stunt their own growth by making up excuses why they cannot continue pursuing their goals. One of the most popular reasons of all is age:

I’m too old to start doing that.
I could never do that, I’m too young.

Now if half of us say we’re too old, and the other half says they’re too young, who is in the right age group? There is no magical middle-age group where everything is possible. We are all at the right age for each of our goals, right now.

How Would Your Life Be if You Stopped Making Excuses?

Photo by Patrick

Relationships

If you didn’t use your age as an excuse, would you be in a new relationship? Or would you prefer to stay single? Many people decide based on a silly little number (their age!), what is acceptable for them to be doing relationship-wise. If you are divorced or widowed, don’t let your age stop you from meeting new people. If you are a teenager, feel free to profess your love to someone, but remember that you still have years ahead of you to meet new people if it doesn’t work out.

Money

When it comes to money, we always tend to think we need more of it. But we also tend to think that we need to be something other than what we are, in order to get more of it. That something else can sometimes take the shape of an age group. Maybe you think that only adults can make money, or that you’re too old to start a new moneymaking venture. It is never too late or early to work on your relationship with money.

Career Changes

If you feel that you’re too young to start working towards your career goals, think again. Remember those kids on the side of the street with their lemonade stands? No one ever told them they were too young, and you shouldn’t let your age stop you from your aspirations. If on the other hand, you think that you’re too old to change careers, remember that it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks. Many successful people change horses midstream.

New Sports

Trying out new sports and physical activities can be a daunting task for anyone. Is it any wonder that we use our age as an excuse? Generally younger people don’t think twice before starting a new sport, older people make up excuses all the time. This is counter to building good mental and physical health, because learning a new physical activity later on in life is a great way to stay in great shape.

New Hobbies

Whether you’ve always wanted to try your hand at a new hobby, or you’ve just discovered a new pastime, the timing is always right. Delaying your experimentation with new hobbies is only going to make you feel less fulfilled, and give you regrets. Trying a new hobby is good for you and for your mental well-being, no matter your age.

Photo by Taro Taylor

New Languages

We keep hearing that learning a language is easier for children than it is for adults. But studies are showing that adult language learners progress faster than children. Using your age as an excuse against learning a new language is like cheating your abilities. If you want to learn a new language, no matter what your age, just dive right in. It’s another one of those good for your brain things.

Travel

Travel expands your horizons, and your horizons can never be wide enough. If you are young, don’t wait until you retire to travel to the places that excite you. You will look back on your life and see only what could have been. If you are older, now is the time to travel. Don’t let the idea that the world outside of your home town is scary take hold, go boldly where you have yet to go.

How do you get over it?

So how do you get over your age? There are a few techniques that I’ve observed through my research. Not all of them work though, and you’ll have to see which one will work for you. Some people like to hang out with people of a different age group: Young people hang out with older people, older people hang out with younger people. But that seems like a temporary solution.

What are you waiting for? Subscribe for more Billionaire advice. (Photo by Luis Sarabia)

Is this really the issue?

If you’ve been using your age as an excuse, you really have to ask yourself if your age is the real issue. Oftentimes, using your age as an excuse is much easier than owning up to your fears. Pushing yourself and your limits is one of the most difficult things we do as human beings. But it is also the most rewarding because that is what truly living is all about.

If there’s something that you’ve been putting off or avoiding, write it down on a blank piece of paper. On the same sheet, write down what is holding you back (this could be your age, or something else), and what your life would be like if you got it. Next, write down what scares you about that outcome.

You might realize that you are holding yourself back because if you reached your goal, you would have greater responsibility, and your life would change. Once you work through these issues, you will realize that your age is not the main problem. Do not try to ignore these fears, they are there to tell you something about yourself and this situation. You should however, understand what the fear is telling you, prepare yourself for the change, and take action.

Look at examples of successful people your age

If you need inspiration to get yourself going, here are a few examples of young people who have done amazing things, and older people who have done amazing things.

Morjorie Newlin: An 86 year old weight lifter champion. This woman started with weight lifting when she was 72, after she realized that she couldn’t lift cat food bags anymore. She was never particularly athletic, so when she started going to the gym and lifting weights, it took her family by surprise. She competes in many weight lifting championships all over the world, against women half her age, and she wins!

Christopher Paolini: A 15 year old writes a book and has it published. This young boy had a vision and wrote this book for himself at age 15. He then went on to self-publish it with his family, and is now a working with a publisher, and writing follow up books. Christopher and his family toured the world doing book signings, and publicity. Now imagine if his parents had simply told him he needed to graduate from school before he could write a book?

You are made of the same stuff as everyone else

Be optimistic. (Photo by Sup3)

If you still think that your age might be an issue, even after looking at successful examples, you might be putting yourself down. Maybe you think that other people are special. Maybe you think that they have abilities that you don’t.

The truth is that we are all equally special, the difference is that other people have chosen to go after their dreams. Other people feel fear when they get out of their comfort zones, just like you do. They simply choose to embrace the fear, learn from it, and push through to the other side.

What are you waiting for?

So go out there, decide what it is you want, and make it happen. Forget about that little number that increases year after year. You don’t need it. And once you stop caring about your age, other people will too. You will feel young at heart, mature in spirit, and qualified to fulfill your dreams.

Comments

Lance

You're are so right, that age can limit us - but only if we let it. I've done it several times - let age hold me back. I'm getting much better now, and this is a great reminder of what is possible. Everything is possible.

I love the first picture, too - the old couple in the hammock!

Writer Dad

My wife is a decade older than I. This is a perfect distance. I keep her young, she keeps me wise, and things rarely stand in our way.

John Rocheleau - Zen-Moments

As a 58 year old man, I totally agree.

Life and all its adventures doesn't stop just because you are no longer young. It just changes. The substance and quality of your new directions will be unique and reflective of your experience.

We all wonder what would life be like if we had a "do-over." Well, you can't recreate your past, but you can absolutely recreate your life in the "now" to live life the way you want. You have the advantage of experience. And you DO have the energy to make it happen -- if you choose to.

John

BillionaireWoman

I often need to remind myself, and my parents that age shouldn't matter.

Glad you liked it, I thought it was sweet. :)

BillionaireWoman

That sounds like the perfect arrangement, Writer Dad! :)

BillionaireWoman

Absolutely! Past experiences will only make your new adventures that much more rewarding. It's great that you are already living life to the fullest, John. The more great examples such as yourself, the better for everyone.

Jeff@MySuper-ChargedLife

Age is all in the mind! I love your statement, "So go out there, decide what it is you want, and make it happen." I agree. The world is just waiting to see what we will demand from it. Age makes no difference. Great article!

BillionaireWoman

I agree! Way to go Jeff, you got it! :D

Sara at On Simplicity

I loved this, and it really rang true for me. I'm on the young side, so for years I felt I was too young to do certain things. What a waste of thought!

"There is no magical middle-age group where everything is possible. We are all at the right age for each of our goals, right now."

Brilliant. This was great, Nathalie!

BillionaireWoman

Thank you Sara! And I know what you mean, I'm on the young side too, and sometimes we just hold ourselves back because we think we need to be a certain age. Glad it rang true! :)

Mary@Simply Forties

Good topic. Thanks for reminding us that "age-ism" works both ways - young & old!

I was recently visiting with an uncle who really is a character. He is 75 years old. He had read somewhere that soon people would be living to 150. Everywhere we went that day he told people he was middle-aged! What a great attitude!

At 46 I feel like things just keep getting better!

Robin

Hi B.W!

I love this article - it's all so true. I think you are quite right when you suggest that some people use their age as an excuse - that it isn't the real issue for them.

I really like all your suggestions - Robin

BillionaireWoman

Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by! I love your uncle's story! We are going to keep living longer, so 75 seems like middle age, indeed! It put a smile on my face! :)

BillionaireWoman

Thanks for the lovely comments Robin. I use my age as an excuse sometimes, but I know that's not what's really stopping me. I hope the article was helpful. :)

Stephen Hopson

I found you because you left a comment on the blog "Rock Your Day" (Dave Navarro). I am neither a woman nor a billionaire but I liked this article enough to not only become a new subscriber but also will be mentioning you as the source of the two people mentioned in this article in my gratitude post at the end of next week.

I was particuarly touched by the "little old lady" story because you're right, age is just a number. I bet in her eyes, I'm still a "kid" at 47. LOL. Nice job. Nice reminder.

It's all up here (tapping my head).

BillionaireWoman

I'm so glad you found this post interesting Stephen, and thank you for stopping by! And don't worry, I'm not a billionaire either. ;) (Yet!?)

I really like that Marjorie competes with people half her age, and they are like "kids" to her.

Thank you for the great comments, I'm heading over to your site now. :)

nicholaspowiull

Age is perspective of time, yet time is an illusion and here is why: have you ever looked under a microscope and saw many tiny atoms vibrating against each other? Everything in life is like this vibrating process. Before time began through this vibrating process, consciousness begin to expand. The vibration allowed for the perspective of consciousness to expand by looping consciousness back onto itself. In other words, the vibration of consciousness allowed itself to perceive itself as being here, there, and the space in-between (the space to make here and there possible).

Through the vibration, there was an measurable distance from here to there. It took time to get from here to there. Yet, the time it took to get from to there was based on the perspective of consciousness. The measurement between here and there could take as long or as short amount of time that consciousness perceived. Consciousness could decide through perspective which part of the vibration to focus on. Consciousness could instantly move from here to there or it could perceive itself to be here and there simultaneously. As well as here, there, and the space in-between in one moment.

To understand what I am saying, hold an object in your hand, now move your hand from one side to the other. When that object is moving, it is not moving in time. The object from 'point A' to 'point B' is not the same object; all the atoms (or the one atom of everything) disassembles and reassembles anytime something so called “moves”. It is not moving at all inside time. What is actually happening, is that the object is relocating itself to be where it was already. In other words, all objects exist everywhere all at once in time because every object is the same object. If an object were to move faster then the speed of light, it is not that the object moves that fast, but that the object exists everywhere and just materialized from and to the location it already was existing. You only observe it as moving in time based on perspective.

This is what makes time an illusion. Time is a perspective of the measurable distance from one thing to another, but the one thing and the other are both the same-thing. Time/age is an illusion of the same time.

Thank you for your wisdom in this article indeed! :) It was delightful read to say the least!

Have a Conscious Flexing day,

~Nicholas Powiull

BillionaireWoman

Hi Nicholas, thank you for your informative comment. I have read that time is an illusion before, but your explanation is much more thorough.

I think time has become one of those illusions that we've all collectively decided to buy into. If we stopped caring about time so much, we would realize it was just something we made up.

Again, thank you for stopping by!

Rosabel

I like your blog very much! I never believe that age is a reason to stop us from chasing after our dreams or goals. We are given this one and only life and we should fully utilize the time given to us no matter how old we are. When I told my friends that I would further my master degree in older age, they are laughing at me and told me that I'm silly to still want to go back study at old age. Well, why bother how people look at us? Most important is that we don't was our time in giving excuses! I love learning and never stop learning and exploring, not til my last breath on earth. Very good reminders to all of us especially those keep saying age is their limitation! Age is not the limitation, but we give ourselves lots of limits without daring to challenge ourselves!

Neal

I am 61, this article gives me hope. I am recently started on what I hope is a fuller more peaceful more productive life. Thank you for affirming my new quest.

Vered - MomGrind

I do freak about about aging. Loved this article. It's an important reminder to STOP!

Sheila

I just found your blog and relate very closely with your mission statement. I think that age is relative and it doesn't matter if you are young or old, if you have found your passion, go after it! What are you waiting for!?! This is a realization that I have found recently, after spending years behind a desk when this was not the place for me.

Taking that first step can be very scary, but once you do it, you never look back. I have found in my own life that once I started operating by my the heart, and following my intuition, things just work out for the best.

Thanks for the great article.

Sheila

http://www.livewell360.com

BillionaireWoman

Thanks for stopping by Rosabel! I love how you bring home the fact that we only have one life to live and that we should take advantage of it!

Keep on challenging yourself, and I will do the same. :)

BillionaireWoman

I'm glad this article inspired you, Neal. Thank you for stopping by! I believe anything is possible, and once you make that decision - changes will take place in your life. :)

BillionaireWoman

Absolutely! Thank you for stopping by Vered. :)

BillionaireWoman

Hi Sheila, I'm so glad you found my site. It seems we have a lot in common! I am also into wellness and health. I love your site. :)

Thanks for sharing about your own experiences. The heart and our intuition really do provide us with magical opportunities. Congratulations on your successes so far, and may many more continue to unfold.

MyDearFriends

Inspiring post! I'm glad I found it. For yet another take on the topic you might find this an interesting reading: http://mydearfriends.wordpress.com/2007/04/21/t... (The Point in Your Life When You Got Old). This is something I wrote when I reflected on that topic.

I would be interested to hear what you think!

BillionaireWoman

Thanks for stopping by! I read your take on the subject, and I'm glad I did. Every article I read about age is like looking through a different filter on life.

Thanks for sharing! :)

Nebula

I find most people I know have stopped doing something they really enjoyed due to time constraints, family obligations, etc, but now that they could conceivable begin the activity that they enjoyed so much in the past again, they think they're "too old."

I don't see any reason not to do something you enjoy, no matter what your age. If you're out of shape or practice, you can get back in slowly. If it's a matter of dignity, well, that's just stupid.

Why do people stop doing things they love to begin with? Usually, it's not necessary to completely stop. But people tend to give up what they love so easily, and then find it's not so easily regained, Sad.

BillionaireWoman

Thanks for stopping by Nebula! I agree with you: people let things get in the way too easily. Sometimes it can be harder to get back into something after we think we are "over the hill" and stuff.

Ana

Morjorie Newlin died early 2008 age 87. Your post makes it look as if she is still alive.. But it is a great post and Morjorie Newlin inspiration is still valid

BillionaireWoman

Wow thank you for the information Ana, I was under the impression she was still with us. I had found out about her in 2007. Thanks again, and sorry for the slip up!

Henri J

Just found your blog! I think it's awesome and I'm on the younger side myself. I have been putting off starting a blog about the topics I love (health, wealth and self-development).

I just subscribed to your RSS feed so you'll be seeing me around and one day my name will become a link and that day will come soon.

Keep on rockin'!