Change Your Mindset From Desperation To Inspiration

The 3 most dangerous statements as we age:

“I can’t.”

“I couldn’t do that.”

“I’m too old.”

Suppose you ascribe to those statements and other forms of negative self-talk. In that case, they confirm to your brain that you cannot find fulfilment. Because the brain has the characteristic of neuroplasticity, it will grow new neurons and form new connections in response to its environment. That includes attitudes. If you act “old”, you’ll be old.

What happens is we get into a state of inertia. Inertia is defined as a body that tends to stay at rest, with resistance to motion or sluggishness. If we have aches or pains, arthritis or some other condition, we rationalize why we can’t do something. Consequently, we stay where we are, and nothing changes.

Part of the problem is that many people believe that once they retire, life will be a bowl of cherries. Then what? I have seen those cherries go rotten quickly when the individuals don’t have enough funds for what they would love or have lost their focus. Let’s face it: during your working life, you have a focus and purpose for getting up daily. That can quickly dissipate once a person retires.

If you retire at 65 and live to 95, what will you do with those 30 years—almost another half-life? Let’s look at what some people have done.

George Corones

The 99-year-old Brisbane swimmer George Corones set a new world record in the freestyle for his age group at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 2018. What’s impressive is that Corones took up swimming at 80; previously, he hadn’t swam since the age of 20. He had a will to succeed, and he did it.