It’s startling to think that just a century ago human beings rarely lived past forty. Today, however, our life expectancy has nearly doubled and we can expect to live well into our seventies, eighties and beyond.
Yet are we really living?
The truth is many of us are just going through the motions. By the time we hit our forties, we’ve pretty much given up on ourselves and our lives .
- We’re stuck in a routine that makes us miserable.
- We have an ‘anything is better than nothing’ attitude.
- We’ve settled for mediocrity and convinced ourselves that it’s all we should expect.
- We’ve lost ourselves to the demands of those around us, trying to be all things to everyone.
- We’ve adopted a mindset that we’re old and washed up so what’s the point of wanting more.
We are existing, not living.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Henry David Thoreau.
You’ve probably heard the phrase:‘Your best years are ahead of you’, but do you really believe it? Maybe you think you do but if your life isn’t improving maybe it’s time to go deeper. Have you convinced yourself that you should be grateful for what you have and stop wanting more? Are you perhaps waiting for a miracle to happen? If you wish and pray for it enough that great life will appear like magic. Maybe you just don’t know what you want and despite your best attempts you haven’t been able to figure it out. Or could it be that you’ve just given up. It’s too late for you now so what’s the point in even trying.
Do any of them sound like you?
Not very inspiring is it?
But what if I told you that whatever you’re going through right now, there’s one thing you can do to absolutely transform your circumstances?
And it’s simple too.
The power of purpose
Whatever the reason, by the time we hit middle-age we sometimes lose sight of the importance of still having dreams and goals. We meander along day after day but there’s nothing to feel excited about, every day is exactly as the one before with no change in sight. But without goals we have no direction, no sense of purpose, and that is exactly what we need to get out of that slump and looking forward to life again.
Set a goal!
It doesn’t have to be big but it does need to be meaningful to you.
- Identify one area in your life that you want to change or improve. Is it your finances or your relationship? Is it a new skill that you want to acquire? Could it be improving your physical health or finally tackling that bucket-list? Choose something that matters to you.
- Create a plan to move you towards it. What are the steps you need to take to get there? Break it down into the smallest tasks that you can do. Write them down.
- Take consistent action. Schedule the tasks and show up to get them done.
What good will that do?
Well a few things will happen.
- It will force you to at least consider what it is you want. What is your vision for your life or a particular area of your life? If you’re struggling to figure that out start with what you don’t want, what do you need to eliminate from your life?
- It will give you a focus and help you make better decisions about how to spend your time. Whether an action will help you move towards your goal or not will be your filter.
- It will give you a sense of purpose and improve your confidence. Knowing that you are on the way to achieving something and that you show up to get things done will give you a lift. Remember confidence comes after action not before.
- It will create a positive buzz and a sense of achievement in you as you tackle those tasks and hit milestones on your way to the goal. You’ll be motivated to keep going as you make progress. Happiness and fulfilment are great by-products too.
- And perhaps the greatest gift of having a goal is that it will remind you that it’s never too late. That as long as you are alive you have a chance to grow and improve as long as you decide to take the steps to make it happen.
Now maybe you’re happy as you are. I say great, more power to you. But if you’re a mid-lifer who’s struggling and tired of things the way they are, now is the time to do something about it. Take charge right now and set a goal that matters to you. Take consistent action towards it and watch how that lifts you out of that slump.
Still hesitating? Then consider this:
Could you stand waking up for the next (fill in the blank) years feeling like you do right now?
If the answer is no, then you know what you need to do.
Now over to you.
Are you stuck in a midlife slump?
What is one goal you can set today and take action towards?
Let me know in the comments.