Now, it’s time to ask ourselves the honest question – how often do we limit ourselves from opportunities, experiences, and even give up certain dreams because we’re digging up the most used excuses in the book? How often do we cross things off of our bucket list, not because we’ve completed them, but because we’re too fixated on how we’re not able to or capable of doing them? One time is one too many. Plans are meant to change, and so is life. And it’s never too late to change your life. Here are the steps to getting rid of the mindset roadblocks and how to achieve the life you’ve always wanted.
It’s Never Too Late – Three Roadblocks Holding You Back
1. I’m Too Old to Start
As the saying goes, “age is just a number,” and it’s actually just a measurement of time lived. We often associate our age as a timeline for our goals. I want to move to the city by 25. I want to have a successful business by 30. I want to own a house by 35. I want to have kids by 40. It’s when our goals aren’t met that the instant feeling of failure comes trickling in. The essence of time is not to be used as a set goal but instead as a guideline. Life happens simultaneously and at a different pace than everyone around you. There’s a huge difference between getting distracted by life’s curve balls and letting those moments define you versus becoming aware of them and finding an alternative route.
Vincent Van Gogh didn’t paint until 27. Julia Child didn’t know French cuisine until 30. She only started appearing on The French Chef after turning 51. The late Alan Rickman didn’t start acting until he was 42. Fauja Singh, who became the first 100-year-old to run a marathon, started running marathons at the age of 89.
Still think it’s too late? In the end, time shouldn’t be the essence of what to accomplish by when, but instead a guideline to show us if we’re on track and if that bucket list is still in alignment with you.
2. “I Don’t Have Enough Money”
How often do we say, “I don’t have enough money,” versus “I have more than enough money.” The phrase “I don’t have enough money” is so common and easily integrated into our daily conversations that we don’t notice the negative effect it has in return. The relationship and conversations we have with money are actually more impactful on our being than we think. A scarcity mindset affects our goal-making, especially when we compare what we have to what seems more abundant.[1] Having a positive mindset is key to living the life you truly desire. We often let money dictate the way we live our lives, and over time, the yearning and hunger to change our lives become more prominent – if not urgent. An abundance mindset means to focus on what you have now instead of what you don’t have. Focusing your energy on being grateful for the opportunities money can already provide you – including the smartphone or computer you are currently using to read this article – is already changing the conversation you. Everything in life requires energy. It takes the same amount of energy to talk negatively or positively about your circumstances, so why not take the latter?
3. “I’ll Start Tomorrow”
Starting tomorrow is always the greatest setback, and by pushing your personal goals to the side, you are subconsciously letting your brain know that it’s not of importance. Your goals always matter and hold value. First, look and see if it’s a particular habit that is preventing you from going forward with your goals or reflect on where you are spending most of your time:
Are you saying yes to everything and taking on other people’s projects more than your own? Are you burnt out? Are you feeling overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start?
The first step is always self-awareness.
How to Live Your Life Differently
1. Define your What and Why
Think about what’s important to you and why this is the makeup of your core:
Are you looking for a change in career? If so, then dig deeper into why you want this career change and what are negotiable and non-negotiables in your new career. Are you looking for more free time to take on creative pursuits? Think about why this has significant value to you and what you’re willing to give up in your current situation to make room for this freedom. Are you looking to start completely new and move to an unfamiliar place? Think about what you like about that particular place and how it taps into your emotions.
To live differently, you must be comfortable enough with yourself because it all stems down to the confidence within you. Your confidence and self-awareness are the drives that will push you to make uncomfortable decisions and navigate uncommon grounds when life tests you. Digging deep and getting to the core of it all can reassure you that these new paths align with your values.
2. Show Up for Yourself
If you want to live differently and feel more successful in your life, you must first begin to show up as that version of yourself. Owning that you already have what it takes to go after what you want and that all you need to do is be true to that version of yourself is a part of boosting your self-esteem. Higher self-esteem is significantly associated with higher success.[2] Put yourself in the shoes of people you admire. If you’re a writer who wants to finish writing a book, ask yourself what your favorite writer would be doing and how much time they are putting into their work. If you want to run a six-figure business, put yourself in the shoes of a six-figure business owner and adopt the same mindset. Swap happy hours and Netflix binging for scheduled deep work. This refreshing perspective will energetically bring your vision into reality.
3. Little Makes More of an Impact
When you want to change your life, it doesn’t have to be this grandeur moment. Oftentimes, small steps and changes make more of an impact and return. For instance, if one of your goals is to be healthier and shed some pounds this year, the common route would be to get a gym membership, establish a diet plan, and commit to exercising x times a week. While these are great ways to start, understand that good habits also take some time and patience to form. In the meantime, healthier living isn’t only limited to dieting and exercising. It’s taking smaller bite-size steps, such as cutting sugar from your coffee, that can stretch far in the long run. For example, you usually have your coffee black with one sugar packet. You drink two coffees in one day – one before work and another during work. One sugar packet is equivalent to about four grams of sugar, times the two cups you have daily. In one month alone, you are easily consuming 240 grams of sugar. Little changes like cutting out sugar in your coffee intake can easily make a greater impact in the future.
Final Thoughts
Remember that it’s never too late to change your life, and factors such as age, time, or even experience shouldn’t hinder your yearning to pursue your dreams, projects, and live differently. As our life continues forward, always remember that you are in constant motion and also in constant control. You are always more ready than you think you are. It comes down to the one life we live, and it’s always worth making it a great one. Featured photo credit: Joseph Barrientos via unsplash.com
