Here’s why you’re never too old to change

including 5 convincing reasons

We, and to some degree also others, have told ourselves that we must have achieved certain things and milestones by a particular age, or they will never happen. We have given ourselves a timeline. But is that really the right way to go? I am of the opinion that we can change direction and redefine our destiny at any time.

We aren’t the first ones who decide later in life that we should follow your dreams. Many others have walked down that path before us. Let me give you some examples:

Harrison Ford was a professional carpenter for 15 years before he became known as Indiana Jones.

Vera Wang was an editor at Vogue for 17 years before she became an independent bridal wear designer. Her new designer career was kicked-off when she was about to get married at the age of 40 and didn’t find a wedding dress she liked.

Ellen Degeneres was an unemployed, and broke standup comedian and actor when she was offered to be a talk show host.

John Grisham was a lawyer for almost two decades before becoming a successful author selling multi-million copies.

See? If they can do it, so can we!

I could continue with many more examples, and you probably have quite a few you think of right away yourself. It’s never too late to start something new.

If you want to learn playing the piano, start writing that book or learning how to cook, what’s hindering you?

Let me stop you right there, you don’t need to give me any reasons, I’ve been there myself.

For years I told myself that I needed to take a writers’ course before I could start writing my book, and there were always good reasons why a certain course wasn’t the right one. Every one of us have our own reasons for not pursuing our dreams, we don’t need to be told.

But, before you decide not to take action and make something about your dream, let me share a secret with you. You'll be exactly as old in two, three and five years time from today even if you don't follow that dream.

There is therefore no better time than today to start. If you want to bring about a change in your life, you should start now. It doesn’t mean that you need to start climbing the Mount Everest, run a marathon or set up your new business this afternoon. What it means is that you should start taking that very first tiny step towards your dream.

We often tell ourselves that we don’t have the time to take action, that it’s simply not practical or possible to do so. That we can’t afford chasing after our dream and now is not a good timing for change.

Well, let me be blunt. The perfect timing to change will never come. There may be better times, and there may be worse times, but the perfect timing will never come. Me and my husband deciding to become entrepreneurs at more or less the same time was probably not the best timing. The question is rather, what was the option? Who and where would I be in five years’ time if I hadn’t decided to pursue my own dreams?

If you’re still not convinced that you should start today, let me give you five more reasons why you should:

1 – cell revamp

According to researchers, the body replaces itself with a largely new set of cells every seven to ten years. Some of our most important parts are revamped even more rapidly (here's the link if you’re interested in the research). So why shouldn't we do that too?

2 – taste isn’t constant

Just because you had an interest, or chose a profession when you were in your early 20ies, it doesn't mean you have to keep that forever. I also told my grandmother when I was a kid I wanted to inherent her huge bed. Trust me, my taste in interior design has definitely developed since then.

3 – we all get older and wiser

You'll get older and wiser. We all do. Wanting a change, even a major one, doesn’t make you fickle or indecisive. It just means you’ve grown up and identified your preferences.

4 – improved mood

If you’re dreading the work week ahead of you every Sunday, it is time to do something about it. Wouldn’t you want to be one of those who jump out of bed with a big smile on their face? Life can be short. Make the changes you need to live the life you want. A great perk of this is that your excitement will rub off on everything you do, both personally and professionally. Your family, friends and colleagues will all thank you for it!

5 – it won’t get any easier

The longer you leave it, the harder it will get. You will grow accustomed and accept that the dream will never translate into reality.

Where do you start?

Unfortunately, you can’t count on magic, or ask someone else to do it for you. You need to make it happen yourself. You need to prioritize, decide what you want and what is most important to you. If you do want that change, then you need to find the time to make it happen.

Take a look at how you use your time. Is there something that you can reduce, or maybe even let go of completely? At first, this might mean allocating half an hour a day and building up gradually over time. Think baby steps.

Regardless of what you do exactly and how much time you spend, it’s starting and doing something about it that will get you there eventually. Doing it ‘tomorrow’ won’t take you anywhere.

Sometimes we need that extra push to start daring to be brave again, and let’s give that self-doubt a big kick in the butt. Straighten your back and find the braver you to start fulfilling that dream!