Jack packed the last items from his desk into a box and looked around his office for the final time. He had many fond memories of his twenty-five-year service with the company, but now it was time to go and head off into retirement.
He was looking forward to his free time, but he was apprehensive about how he would spend his days. He had images in his mind of spending more time fishing, and reading more, and meeting up with friends.
However, as the weeks turned into months, Jack found that he did not want to go fishing. He did not want to read. In fact, he lost his enjoyment for life and wished he was back at work. He felt as if he had no purpose, and his days were long and dull.
As the months passed, Jack became more and more depressed. His wife suggested that with all his previous knowledge he could mentor young adults in sales and start his own small business. However, all Jack could think of was that he was too old. Nobody would want to learn from him, and he had passed his use-by date.
And with that thought was born the story that “I am too old,” which was an excuse that would prevent Jack from trying anything new.
It is true that with each passing year we grow older and older, but age is just an excuse that many of us use to give up and quit on life.
We forget that the amazing thing about age is that we have more life experience, more wisdom, and more information to draw from.
Unfortunately, many people squander these advantages and get caught up in society’s views that “youth” is the only thing desirable and worthwhile.
There are many individuals who have redefined this opinion and gone on to create empires after their 50s and beyond. Men and women like Jim Butenschoen who at 65 started a hair design academy, Ernestine Shepherd who at 78 was the world’s oldest female bodybuilder and who started at the age of 56, Bernie Marcus co-founder of Home Depot at 50, and Wally Blume who created Denali Flavors ice cream, to name a few.
In fact, the founders of McDonald’s, Coca Cola, and KFC were all over 50 when they established their businesses.
Success comes at any age, and there are plenty of entrepreneurs who found their “big ideas” later in life. Remember: age is just a number, and it is never too old to start.
So this week’s challenge is to find your “big idea,” regardless of your age. Ask yourself the question: What would you do if you had time and other resources at your disposal? What makes your heart sing? Once you can answer those questions, then that is what you should do.
Never count yourself out, and you can lead a successful life no matter what your age. Success can come to anyone at any time.
So keep trying, keep following your dream, and do not allow age to stop you!
Deborah Ruth
Storyteller
