You're not too old. You're just too stuck.

She said that she just doesn't have the energy to learn something new.

Don't get me wrong, I have all the empathy in the world for people who struggle to learn new things, or really battle with focus or low energy. It saps the life out of you. But there is one thing I can't empathise with, and that's the way that people use the excuse of them being "too old" to start new things, learn new things or try new things.

"I'm too old to try spicy food."

"I'm too old to make videos."

"I'm too old to begin again."

It's rubbish.

You're not old, you're entitled. 

You think you've worked hard enough so you can slow down.

You think you've done enough, so you can expect to get something back.

You think you've earned respect, leverage and excuses.

And you may be right.

But you're not too old for anything - except perhaps for playing in the State of Origin game or becoming a prima ballerina.

We so easily mistake "being old" for being stuck in a habit.

Eating the same thing for lunch every day (that's me for sure!)

Driving the same way to work everyday (also me!)

Going through the same morning, lunch and afternoon routine.

Doing the same things on a Saturday morning, every Saturday morning.

After twenty years of doing this, the habits become so entrenched that, once you have a mid-life crisis, the pain of having to live this way for the next twenty years hurts just enough that you feel like the discomfort of change will be slightly less than staying the same.

But until that happens you'll continue to tell yourself that you're too old to change.

Yet being too old is actually a hidden superpower.

Somehow we've learned to tell ourselves that getting over the age of 40 is something of a handicap.

Apparently, we're not as energetic, not as motivated and not as likely to succeed as those in their 20s.

But the opposite is true.

Don't believe me? Check this out.

There is Australian research that supports the idea that people over 40 are more likely to succeed at starting a business. 

1. Senior entrepreneurship is on the rise in Australia. Research led by Professor Alex Maritz has found that entrepreneurship among people aged 45 years and older is increasing [2].

2. According to the Comprehensive Australian Study of Entrepreneurial Emergence (CAUSEE), 34% of young firms in Australia are led by senior entrepreneurs (those aged 50 and older) [3].

3. The average age of entrepreneurs in Australia is 45 [3], which aligns with the global trend of successful entrepreneurs being older than commonly perceived.

4. Mature-aged entrepreneurs (over 50) in Australia contribute significantly to the economy:

  - They contribute $11.9 billion per annum to the Australian economy through over 379,000 businesses [4].   - They launch approximately 14,000 new businesses each year [4].   - Mature-aged entrepreneurship is identified as the fastest-growing sector of entrepreneurship in Australia [4].

5. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that 58% of small business owners are aged over 45 years old [5].

The research highlights several advantages that older entrepreneurs in Australia have:

1. Experience: Older entrepreneurs bring more professional and life experience, which helps them identify and evaluate business opportunities better [4][5].

2. Education: More entrepreneurs over 50 are tertiary educated, with 49.1% holding a degree or diploma, compared to 38% of the total population [5].

3. Financial resources: Older business owners are more likely to be able to self-finance their ventures, reducing capital costs and financial constraints [4].

4. Networks: They have broader personal, social, and professional networks built over years, which are crucial for business success [4].

5. Motivation: Older entrepreneurs are often driven by a desire to solve problems or create value for customers, rather than solely by financial gain [4].

These findings from Australian research support the global trend that older entrepreneurs, particularly those over 40, have significant advantages and are more likely to succeed in starting and running businesses.

Where is that research?

Here: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

How do you stop feeling too old to do something new? You do something new.

It's one of those simply obvious statements. But that is the only way to beat the feeling that you're too old to try something new.

Especially when it comes to starting a business or beginning to post on social media, or cranking up a podcast.

But rather than digging yourself a giant hole of disappointment and failure by aiming too big, you can start on something relatively basic.

Start writing.

Writing is seriously the most powerful tool you have when it comes to bringing about change in your life.

Watched a YouTube video that gave you some ideas? Write about it.

Attended a workshop that got you fired up? Write about it.

Read a book? Write about it.

Change begins with writing. 

It's a physical action that takes a thought and an idea and lays down a neural pathway.

Without the act of writing it down or at least dictating it into some system, it's an idea that will disappear like smoke once the breeze hits it.

Action starts with writing.

That's all for this weekend. Just one short read about getting past the excuse that you're too old. You're not.

If you're not getting value out of these tips, please consider unsubscribing. 

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See you again next week.

Cheers,

Dante

P.S. Here's a few free ways I can lend a hand if you need some help.

I made a YouTube on the psychology of choosing a thing to focus on with your life, business and content online. It brings into perspective how to do it, and do it well. Watch it here.

On July 8 I'll be hosting a live in person workshop in Darwin that will look at better content creation and thought leadership for LinkedIn. This is the formula I use every week. Book it here.

On July 17 I'll run through what a pitch deck is and how to create one that works for investors, customers and anyone who wants to know who you are, what you do and why that's important to them. It's online and free here.