When my cousin, Scotty, told me he wasn’t going to apply for his dream job and then sat glued to his smartphone, I immediately knew something was wrong. This gregarious and gentle man was beloved at his company and well-known in his industry, so why would he give up on a C-suite opportunity?
When I probed further, he glumly responded, “I’m too old.”
It’s one of the many statements that hold us back after hitting roadblocks in our careers and relationships.
Every time I hear people say:
I’m too old. I’m not qualified. I’m not good enough. I’m not fit. I’m too sick. My family says I shouldn’t. There’s no way I could ever do that. I’m afraid. It’s never been done. My body can’t do that. I don’t want to be judged. He/She/They would never choose me. It’s too late in my life. If I were married to a better person, I would be able to _____. Nothing goes my way. It’s all their fault. You don’t understand. It’s a good idea, but I’ll try it later. I don’t have the time right now. I’m not ready yet. What would my family think? I might get hurt.
I realize they are arguing for their limitations.
And if you argue long enough, those limitations are yours forever.
These statements are uttered not just by middle-aged men but by all people, young…
