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EPISODE #17
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The internet is littered with stories of people who have successfully changed their careers and started businesses in their 30s, 40s and 50s and beyond. Not just people in the public eye but those like you and me, people in regular jobs leading normal lives. There is no big secret. All those people are no different than you. They did not have some magic formula or inside track.
There’s somehow this myth that the ‘normal path’ is for people to stay in the same career when actually far more people change careers and late-stage business owners than you think. So, there is no reason why you can’t do the same.
STOP USING YOUR AGE AS AN EXCUSE
It really is just a number. How you feel, your passion, purpose and goals are far more important. Yes, there will be some specific challenges related to your time of life but nothing that should stop you. Even the traditional challenges no longer belong to a particular age. It used to be that raising children happened in your 20s, then moved to your 30s and now more and more are having children in their 40s. Also, a lot of women and men have chosen not to have children. So in all age groups mothers and fathers could have children involved or not, so that challenge is not defined as part of any particular age decade anymore.
It used to be that you would not reach the pinnacle of your career until your 40s or 50s, but now people are reaching the top at an earlier age. Technology, flexible working and online business opportunities mean that whatever your age you have opportunities to broaden your career or create multiple streams of income if you are daring enough to seize them. In the UK more people are becoming business owners over the age of 55 than ever before. So really the rulebook is out of date and, in my opinion, needs to be thrown out.
Don’t let yourself use your age as an excuse for not making your change happen. Instead, focus on what exactly is happening in your life right now, irrespective of your age, make a plan and find solutions to any obstacles you may face, rather than anticipating those that may never happen.
DON'T GIVE UP BEFORE YOU START
Sometimes we get so worried about what bad things could happen, that we don’t think about all the good things that could also happen as a result of making a career leap. First up, you have to deal with any fears or mind blocks you have, or they will stop you in your tracks. When making a change you may have other people and your own mind against you. It can be easy to give into one or more of your fears and give up on your dream.
Successful career changers and aspiring entrepreneurs do not let themselves get derailed. So whether you have mental blocks like imposter syndrome, fear of failure or losing your security, or you face other barriers like financial responsibilities or other people's opinions, don’t let them make you give up before you even give it a try.
GET CRYSTAL CLEAR ON WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO
Do the research, find your passion, and understand what makes you tick. You have so much to bring to the world, much more than you have currently given, you just need to work out what that is and believe you can do it. Successful career changers and aspiring entrepreneurs really trust in themselves and their plans. This is essential, you have to believe in your passions, your talents and skills and your purpose. That is your motivator, your catalyst and the power that will make you succeed where others may fail.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
I talk about this a lot I know but having a network of people who can support and encourage you really is essential for you to change careers or start businesses at any age. They will understand the challenges you may be facing and will encourage rather than dissuade you. If you don’t have those kinds of people around you already, then go back and listen to episode 14 ‘Find Your Tribe, (That Will Motivate & Inspire You To Career Success), which gives you lots of ideas on how to find the people who can be your cheerleaders.
GET STARTED NOW
Changing careers or becoming your own boss at any age will be challenging and involve consistent work towards your goal. It can take time and involve some sacrifice but as you are moving towards working with your passion, it should be fun too and is 100% worth it! Create your plan and every day take small steps towards it. Consistency is king! Keep doing the work, keep taking action and keep focused and before long you will find yourself getting closer to your end goal of having a passion-filled career or business and a life you love.
LET'S GET REAL
Before I finish, let’s address the elephant in the room here. Ageism. All I'm going to say is, yes it exists, let’s not kid ourselves. It exists both against younger people and older people in different ways. But like all other forms of discrimination, it’s not going to disappear overnight even if we are making good progress towards it. Are you going to let the fear of dealing with that stop you from reaching your dream career and life? Are you going to let those people win?
You need to accept that you may come up against some ageism, or you may not, but that is their problem, not yours. Don’t let it hold you back from taking action in your life. Focus on what you have control over and can change, which is your motivation, your passion, your drive and your plans and your personality.
Make sure you are in the best position to make the change you want to make, know your legal rights and then go for it!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS
You don’t know what is around the corner, illness and accidents can come at any time so don’t hold yourself back one more day for a pair of digits. Ultimately, it has nothing to do with a number but with who you are, how much work you are willing to do and how determined you are to make it happen.
You’re unique, you are not like all other people the same age as you, so why be defined by what others your age have done? Focus instead on what makes you special, why this is important to you and put in the work to make it happen.
The world is waiting for you to find the path you are destined for. So stop wasting time using your age as an excuse and start taking action! I will be cheering you on as you go for it!
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