Busting Your It’s-Too-Late Myth!

​Okay, here it comes again – that feeling that time is passing way too quickly and many of the things that you knew you were going to do someday, just haven’t happened.  So, with that let-down internal voice, you mumble to yourself, “It’s too late – it’s just too late.”

​First, it’s never too late – for most anything!   (Unless you’re 42 years old and your dream is to pole vault in the Summer Olympics.  In which case, please consult your physician before attempting that one.)

This is for the executive, entrepreneur, employee, or anyone, who at the end of the day, is drained, unhappy, snapping at home and/or retreating nightly in front of the TV because it’s too painful to feel, as you drown out that question, “Is this all there is?” 

Somewhere you resigned yourself to the apathy of the status quo.  I really wish, a strong, “Snap out of it!” was the answer.  It’s not.

Here’s a quick and reflective 5-step exercise you can do after you slowly back away from the television set.

1) Get a piece a paper and write, really big, "It is NOT too late.”
And then, like some of us school day rebels so vividly remember, write 50 times, “it is not too Late, it is not too late, it is not too late.”   

So, too late for what?

Before I answer that question, let’s look at a few things you thought were going to be the answer to your contentment and pleasure – all the things that you thought were going to be your answer:  more money, the right partner, the prestigious title within the prestigious company, inside the very prestigious building.  

Nope, there’s still that disappointment.

​2) Stay with the “It is NOT too late” paper and then write “To,” “It’s NOT late to:”
It could be as light as, to get a dog or as big as, putting an end to child abuse. Or, as simple as BE HAPPY.  Just start writing, pen to paper without lifting your hand.  Time it.  Give yourself 7 minutes.  Don’t edit.  Just write. There may twenty items – there may be two. 
 
The question you keep asking yourself is “What else?  What else?  What else?”  And, this doesn’t have to be a To Do List.  It could be a change in heart, i.e. It’s not too late to forgive my ex or let go of that 10-year resentment. 

Or, maybe a shift in thinking, i.e. it’s really no fun being a perfectionist – it’ time to smile more at myself when I screw up OR think I screwed up. Or, it’s not too late to start smiling more, period and see how I can make other people’s lives a little happier.

3) This is not the end-all/be-all list. 
This is simply the first things that came to your head in the 7-minute time-frame.  Look closely at this inventory – take 10 minutes and ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this still true for me?  Some of our discontent comes from an idea we had about ourselves and our happiness, 10,20 or 30 years ago, and we think we let ourselves down.
2. What’s on my heart?  You may have to add to the list or change something.  You get to be honest and vulnerable with you now. Find out what’s there.
3. What might you regret if you never even tried?  You can either put it on the list or let yourself off the hook – whatever will bring you the most peace and happiness.

 
4) Now, take the It’s Not Too Late To List, and prioritize it. 
This is your life, and I won’t dare tell you how to rank what’s the most important thing for you right now on the list.  It may be the easiest.  You know that getting a win under your belt will be a good incentive to move to the next one.  OR, it may be the most challenging, in which case you can give yourself 15 minutes a day or three hours a week to play with it.
 
5) You’re ready to start a short plan of action. 
Some examples:

1. You’re an executive, manager or entrepreneur. “It’s NOT too late to develop an app that will bring in new business from a larger demographic.”  You get an immediate block because you don’t know the first thing about creating an app.  If you’re too shy to ask any 25-year-old you see on the street, I just took two minutes and found this link:  A Step-by-Step Guide To Building Your First Mobile App - Entrepreneur
2. “It’s not too late to learn how to sing. I love to sing – I’m not great, but I’m good.” Voila!  https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-learn-to-sing-in-tune/
3. “It’s not too late to start a non-profit to aid…”  Here’s a link for a Dummies Cheat Sheet on starting a non-profit. https://www.dummies.com/business/nonprofits/the-basics-of-forming-a-nonprofit/

 
Please note, you may have blocks, fear or resistance to starting any action, even the smallest and they may be due to something that someone said to you, an incident when you made a mistake and it became, “I’m a failure when I do this…”  I see this all the time with my clients. 

Some of us, simply can’t do this work alone.  If we try one more list…!!!!  Therefore, finding a coach that understands AND supports you while asking unexpected, and sometimes uncomfortable questions, is so important. I see it all the time – the results are sustainable.

So, whether you do this list alone, or with someone, please do it.     The rewards are so great. Happiness and true contentment are truly – one step away. It’s just not too late!