One of my pet peeves is when people tell me they are too old for something. Too old to learn to ski, to stay out past midnight, to fall in love, to change jobs, to lose weight, to get in shape, to wear a bikini, to have wild, crazy sex.
Back when I was selling, if a prospective client said they really liked our station but they just didn't have the money, we knew we had not uncovered the real objection. Buying is never about having the money. If you really want something, whether it is an ad schedule on the station or a new pair of Cole Han boots, you'll find the money.
I say the same thing holds true for using age as a reason not to do something. If your choice is not to do it, give me the real reason. Maybe you're too scared, maybe you're afraid you'll fail, but don't tell me you're too old.
And if you need a little proof let me introduce you to Shari Nedler. Shari is the mom of my friend Karen Quinn, author and founder of Testing Mom. Right now Shari is off on a cruise around the world. By herself! In fact as of today she is somewhere in Tasmania.
How old is Shari? As a girlfriend of mine who grew up in Alabama used to tell me, a true Southern woman never tells her real age, so we'll pretend Shari is a southern girl. Suffice it to say, if she is old enough to be Karen's Mom, she is old enough to be mine and that qualifies as not as young as we all used to be.
But I digress. Shari had planned this trip with her boyfriend Marvin, a man she met after Karen's Dad passed away. They set sail over a year ago and not too far into the trip Marvin got sick. They had to go home and not long after Marvin passed away.
Shari initially had no intentions of taking this cruise again, much less traveling by herself. But she had what I like to call a lot of appetite. That desire won over those, including herself who might have said she was too old to be taking a cruise around the world by herself.
Although she's not really alone. Karen and her brothers are joining her at selected ports. And Shari is blogging her adventures. If you'd like to keep up with Shari you can subscribe to her blog through RSS. She'll remind you everyday that you are never too old, for anything, especially adventures!
Do you think you are too old to do something?
Or do you defy what others say and not let age stop you?
4 comments:
Never too old. I love this idea in theory - and endorse it profoundly - but then the practical side of me intervenes and says there are things I am too old to do - like become a doctor, etc. Thanks for making me think!
mmmm....maybe ...or maybe there is just some other reason you don't want to become a doctor ?
I'm too old for mini-skirts, but that's about it. :-)
Karen's mother is a real inspiration. I am going to make a bucket list and start doing things NOW. Love your blog, thank you!
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