Think You Can’t Do Something?

Think again.

Think you can’t do something that you would really like to do?

Perhaps due to your age, or for some other reason?

Life is short. Today (which is the only day that we know for sure that we have) is a good day to change from thinking that you can’t do something, to heck yes, you can!

I know. It sounds so simple, but sometimes you need to hear the same message over and over again before it begins to really sink in. I know I do.

Think you can’t do something?

Yes, you can!

You can do anything you want to do. Don’t limit yourself.

For me, I will add, within reason of course, due to my age. After all, I can’t run a long grueling marathon (actually I never did), or do two thousand sit-ups. I mean who would want to do that anyway?

There are just some physical things that I can’t, and might I add, don’t want to do. Period.

But that’s where it ends.

When it comes to starting a business that you’ve always wanted to start, or learning a new skill or language, writing a book, tandem skydiving, or adventuring around in some other country, you can do it at any age.

I changed my thinking and did all those things and more. And more importantly, I continue to do whatever I want to do.

• Learned to play the guitar, and even learned to read music. I’m also planning on taking piano lessons soon.

• Wrote several books. The first one was a children’s book about Nigeria, published by a traditional publisher, and the last one is about Moving to Ghana, the Essential Things You Need to Know which I self-published in 2018. I am currently working on yet another book.

• Parachuted out of a plane over San Diego at an altitude of 12,500 just to overcome my fear of heights. I almost chickened out when the instructor asked me if I had taken the brief pre-jump training. I hadn’t. But hey, I figured I was securely strapped to him so he had a vested interest in making sure that the jump was successful. Besides, I was already stepping into the aircraft.

• Adventured in and around Ghana and Nigeria for several years after retiring early so that I could do whatever I wanted to do. Senegal is on my radar. In fact, I now live part-time abroad.

Want to know my age?

I’m in my 60s.

The moral of the story

Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from doing what you want to do, whether you are in your 20s or 90s, or somewhere in between.

Come on now. We only have this one life to live. So live.

The key is to start little by little. Like the African (Kenyan) proverb goes, little by little, the bird builds its nest.

Go out there and start doing what you want to do.

On a personal note, like the bird, I’ve started my newsletter, little by little. It’s all about three of my favorite things to do. Reading, writing and helping others improve their writing, all with a good dose of encouragement thrown in.

If this sounds good to you, then go ahead subscribe to my weekly newsletter and let’s keep in touch!