Life may seem to have dealt harshly with some of as we get older. Many of us middle aged and older between 40 to 60 year olds seem to have made mistakes as regards our chosen paths and think we are too old. You look back and have a lot of regrets about past decisions and mindsets. 

No pension fund

No emergency fund

No viable source of income.

It may not be as a result of laziness. It may be a result of wrong focus, wrong timing, bad governmen tpolicies, and a myriad of other reasons. The summary is that there is really not much to fall back on, and the clock is ticking. There seems to be no way and the closest solution seems to be an insurmountable mountain. 

Remember it’s not over until you win. No one is too old as long as your body and mind are still intact. If you will live to be 80 it will happen anyway. Will you plan for a fulfilled 80 or a miserable 80? Same 80 but different scenarios. 

I made up my mind to refuse to be intimidated by the achievements of my peers, particularly as social media puts it in our faces all day everyday. I can only be challenged by them. Intimidation and challenge are both reactions to the same situation. One elicits a negative destructive response. The other elicits a positive boost and desire to move forward. Choose your response. 

We need to own up and take responsibility for where we are. Nobody achieved anything by blaming people. If we think long and hard, we discover that we also had opportunities, but missed them or misused them. Nobody is to blame but me. 

No matter how high that mountain is, make up your mind to climb it. The day you make up your mind is the day the mountain begins to shrink before you. As you take one step at a time, you begin to gain insight and make progress towards your goal. 

I had a similar experience recently, I had to do something but I felt so intimidated by the whole process. It seemed impossible from where I was standing. I whined daily about it. I remember one of my sisters gave me an insight that helped me get started and today it’s history. 

For some of us it is shame and embarrassment.  Who are we trying to impress anyway? I am never embarrassed to do what I have to do. It will amaze you to know that the people we are trying to posture to have their own challenges and are not as interested in our affairs as  we think.

Broke and busted at 50 can become comfortable and able to support others at 60. Yes it’s possible. Do you want to retire at this age and start going round to spend time in your children’s homes doing nothing? Are you planning to wait at home for them to send you small change before you can eat? God Forbid!  

Five things that will help us make progress in this regard are

  1. Start Small and Celebrate Non-Monetary Wins: Feeling overwhelmed is a recipe for inaction. Focus on achievable goals, like cleaning out a closet or taking a walk each day. Learning something new as well. Celebrate these small victories – they build momentum and confidence.

  2. Identify Transferable Skills: You have experience, even if recent jobs seem unrelated. Can you translate customer service skills to remote work? Is your handyman know-how valuable for odd jobs? Audit your abilities and see how they apply in unexpected ways.

  3. Seek Free Resources: Libraries offer job search help, resume writing classes, and even computer access. Non-profits might provide job training, food assistance, or interview clothing. Explore what’s available in your community.

  4. Focus on Mental and Physical Wellbeing: Feeling healthy is vital for job hunting and personal resilience. Look for free or low-cost exercise options like walking or bodyweight exercises. Many mental health resources are available online or through community centers.

  5. Build Your Network: Don’t underestimate the power of connection. Talk to old friends, family, or even friendly acquaintances. Let them know you’re looking for work. You never know who might have a lead or helpful advice.

If you see yourself as too old, that’s what you get, receiving handouts from family and friends. . If you see yourself as able to do whatever it takes, that will be your reality.

What did Caleb say at 80? It’s a choice. You are not too old at 50! God is waiting on you.