Are You Letting Your Age Define Your Dreams?

“Sometimes, people use age as a convenient excuse. ‘I’m too old to start something new’ or, ‘I couldn’t learn that at my age.’ Other people, though, go on to achieve their greatest accomplishments in life in later years.” ~Catherine Pulsifer

Do you enjoy inspirational stories? You know the ones I mean, where the hero defies all odds to achieve a dream, or bounces back from a major crisis stronger than ever because they simply refuse to be defined by adversity. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because it seems there are more and more stories about people who are in their 70s, 80s and beyond achieving amazing things at an age once deemed useful for little more than peacefully rocking in chair on the porch.

For example there’s the story of Nola Ochs who earned a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts at the age of 98. Or Chao Mu-he who, after being told he was too old to volunteer at the local hospital, returned to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Philosophy at the age of 96.

Then there’s Olga Kotelko who at the age of 94 is breaking records competing in nearly a dozen track and field sports. “I chose to be a young-at-heart athlete rather than an old woman,” Kotelko recently told the Today Show.

It really makes you wonder what drives people who refuse to be defined by their age. Maybe there is something here we should all be looking at a little closer when it comes to our own dreams.

Could You Be Letting Your Age Define You?

Have you ever set aside a dream or a goal because you felt you were too old to pursue it? Of course to be fair, there are dreams that may no longer serve you because the circumstances of your life have changed, or maybe it was a dream that merely sounded good at the time and you are no longer the same person.

So how can you know when you’re leaving a dream behind for the right reasons?

Here are a few questions to explore…

Is the Dream Still Relevant?

Is the dream still important to you, or has it been tucked in the back of your mind and heart so long now it’s become a part of who you are … but is no longer who you want to become? You are the only one who can answer this question.

Are you suffering from “coulda, shoulda” thinking?

Sometimes, for whatever reason, we become mired in past regrets with “If only I’d” or “I should have” thinking. To turn this around you must stop focusing on excuses (real or imagined) and start asking yourself “How could I make this happen?” No answer is too crazy, simply let your imagination soar and begin exploring all the ways you could make your dream come true.

Does the Idea of Being a Beginner Bother You?

There are times we avoid doing something new because we’re uncomfortable with the notion of having to ask questions, risk appearing foolish or make mistakes. For example you may long to go back to school for your degree but hate the idea of being the “old” person in the classroom. Fortunately, those willing to embrace the role of beginner are seldom judged harshly, have the freedom to make mistakes while learning all sorts of new things, and gain immeasurable self confidence in the process.

Are You Looking for Answers Elsewhere?

As great as it is to have friends and family to support you, the reality is they are not always going to agree with your opinions anymore than they will always buy into your idea of what constitutes a fulfilling life. When it comes to heartfelt dreams, sometimes you have to go with your gut rather than finding your answers elsewhere.

Maybe There is a Reason You Waited Till Now

Rather than focus on why you haven’t pursued your dream up to now, why not just accept and welcome your role as a late bloomer? Unexpected detours are a part of life, and the truth is sometimes it is okay to take the long way around. After all, consider all that you’ve learned and experienced in your life up to now and how you have a greater sense of what truly matters to you.

So what if others achieved similar dreams earlier in life, no one can judge you or affect the way you feel about yourself unless you let them. In fact, while they may not always admit it, chances are pretty good that there will be more than a few people who envy you for having the courage to reach for your dream at any age.

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Marquita Herald is a published author who writes about personal growth, the power of resilience and insights on the writer’s life. She is the creator of The Business of Being an Author blog and the award winning personal growth blog, IGG – Tips, Tools & Tantalizing Ideas.

Marquita makes her home in rural Maui and when she’s not working on a new book, sharing inspiring stories with audiences; working on one of her blogs or locked in a battle of wills with her dog Lucy, she is painting or curled up with a good book and a glass of her favorite wine.

In addition to her blogs, Marquita can be found on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.