How Many Good Years Do You Have?

Here we are in midlife. But what does that mean, really? Is the best really behind us?

Let's do some quick math: Average life span for a non-smoking woman: 83 minus average number of years spent with less than optimal health. So, if you've been generally healthy and you are now 60, statistically speaking you have a couple of decades to play with. And maybe you'll be above average and live longer and healthier than that. This is good news. That means that there's still pleny of time to make plans and do some things.

The time we have, regardless of the actual number of years in front of us, is finite. If you are like me, you feel a real sense of urgency to make the time count.

Maybe you have an idea that you've been thinking about inacting, or some changes you want to make to live a happier, healthier life. Maybe Real Life so far has kept you from going after something you want. You haven't had the time to build out your idea, or you think you don't have the expertise to pull it off, or your enthusiasm for your plan fades a bit after you've had a chance to mull it over a bit. "Get real," your brain says. Or worse, "It's too late to start something new."

But your brain lies. Our primative brains evolved to keep us safe and comfortable. That's great if all you want to do is survive. But safe and comfortable equals stagnation. Inertia is Netflix and the same job and the same thing day after day.

The good news is that you can outsmart your brain. You can create a plan to learn what you need to know and meet the people you need to meet. Your desire for something else and your willingness to overcome fear and the tools to do so can override your primative brain safe room. But you will have to continually challenge the tendency to retreat to safe and comfortable. This is where coaching comes in. You need someone in your corner to help you manage those thoughts that will try to justify keeping you stuck.

Really. Try coaching. You can get the support you need to get your plan, manufacture your propulsion, and make your next 20 years have meaning. Give a free 30-minute session a try and get started on your next two decades.