Things can change if you want them to, at any age. As I awoke this morning, I marveled at my life today. Where once I woke with dread at the thought of a new day, now I wake with excitement to begin – grateful to be doing what I’m doing for a living. I am so happy I did what I had to do, and struggled through the tough times and the fears, and realigned my life with the things that make me happy. When friends ask me how I did it, as they sometimes do, I tell them, “Hard work and persistence. It’s a small price to pay for a changed life.”
Here are ten things you can do to change your life at any age:
- Subtract the wrong things. – When things aren’t adding up in your life, it’s time to start subtracting. Sometimes you must let go to grow. You cannot discover new oceans unless you build up enough courage to lose sight of the old, familiar shoreline. Be brave. Follow your values. Make changes. And remember, no venture is ever a waste of time. The ones that don’t work out teach you lessons that prepare you for the ones that do. Read A New Earth
.
- Believe you CAN. – The biggest obstacle that stops people from achieving their dreams is the feeling that they are not good enough. Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. You are good enough! Don’t let life discourage you. Success is often closer than it seems. With enough determination and drive, anything is possible in time. Everyone who got to where they are had to begin from where they were, just like you.
- Work hard for what you want most. – Dreams don’t just magically become realities; it takes a lot of determination, sweat, and hard work. Remember, tough circumstances don’t last; tough people do. Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to march boldly through them. If you have a strong commitment to your goals and dreams, and wake up every morning with passion to work toward them, anything is possible.
- Stand up for yourself. – You can’t force people to show you respect, but you can refuse to be disrespected. If you always back down to keep the peace, you will forever be armed with anger and self-loathing, and fighting a war within. Say what you need to say, do what you need to do, and don’t let anyone bully you into a corner.
- Let go of the past. – Don’t stumble on something behind you. Don’t let your shadow guide you. You are not a slave to your past. Let it go and move on. Dream and give yourself permission to envision a ‘YOU’ that you choose to be – that you know you CAN be. Read The Language of Letting Go
.
- End hurtful relationships. – Just because you have a past with someone, doesn’t mean you should have a future with them. Just because you miss someone, doesn’t mean you need them back in your life. Sometimes missing them is just a healthy part of moving on.
- Be thankful for what you have. – It’s not happy people who are thankful, it’s thankful people who are happy. Even when times are tough, think of all the beauty still around you, and smile. Life is too short to have a victim mentality. Say to yourself, “I am not going to be bitter, I am going to be better.”
- Dedicate some time every day to loving yourself. – Only when we can sit alone quietly and look with honest eyes at our strengths and our weaknesses, our failures and our triumphs, our humanness and our moral strength, and love ourselves in spite of, and because of all that we are, will we begin to truly understand the meaning and power of unconditional love. Read The Mastery of Love
.
- Keep learning and embracing life’s changes. – The seeds of your success are planted in your past failures. Your best stories will come from overcoming your greatest struggles. Your praises will be birthed from your pains. Keep standing and keep pushing forward. Even the coldest winters eventually turn into springtime. Seasons always change.
- Enjoy where you are now. – Sometimes we’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are. Laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds. You might not be exactly where you had intended to go, but you are precisely where you need to be.
Photo by: Bourne Bedweey
Mich says
This is truly a motivating read for a person of any age. At 61 years of age, I sincerely appreciate it.
colet says
As inspiring as always! Thanks for reminding me… I choose happiness over hurt. Sometimes I just need to let go. I love myself!!!
Tania says
Just the kind of positive motivation I needed to read to start my day off right. Keep rocking!
Ani says
Nice as always.
I am concentrating on point 3 now 🙂
Herman says
Indeed, true at any age. Thank you for this post. It does help.
I have a request. Can you -if possible- in an article elaborate on this sentence: “Just because you miss someone, doesn’t mean you need them back in your life.” Because sometimes missing someone can hurt so much that you wonder how you will ever be able to go on without them. And you feel you really need the person you are missing. So I wonder what your philosophy is behind it and I’m sure that many people will be helped with your insight in this.
sachin says
Another great one! Thanks!
Asif says
Really great and motivating… Keep it up.
Melissa says
A beautiful way to start my morning! Thanks for keeping life in perspective!
Monica says
@Herman: You have to look at the reasons that you miss the person. It may just be that you miss the companionship and not the actual person because the person is hurtful and is unable to give you what you need out of the relationship. Just a thought
Arciona says
It’s actually my birthday today. And I feel… not good at all.
This advice was needed, and I’ll do my best yo make some positive changes in my life. At least I hope that I’ll have enough strength to make them. I mean, letting go of ppl I love, but who don’t love me in return – even a simple friend – is unbelievably hard. But it’s one thing I need to do.
Will says
I agree it’s never too late to start changing your life. Subtracting the a few negatives from your life while adding a few positives may not show right away, but consistently doing it over time will have a tremendous impact on your life.
Elaine says
Thank you so much for this inspiring, soul searching post. Each post truly touches on every aspect of my life and what I’m going through at this point in my life.
Stephanie says
You have such great advice on your blog. I love to read and try to apply to my life. Thanks so much.
BarbaraJoy says
Great Post! A ten step plan always seems easier to tackle and as I always say you have to remember to play “the good tape” in your head!
Cheryl Lyons says
Once again….PERFECT!!!! I have learned over the years that it is easier to be happy than not. The more you practice the better you get at it! Thanks Marc and Angel
Tanya says
We always think that change somehow is a bad thing…change is necessary to grow to take our lives to the next level….to enjoy all that is waiting out there for us to experience, enjoy or love.
And to respond to Herman…who knows maybe while your so focused on missing the person in your past, you might be MISSING the person that just walked in front of you…just because you are familiar with the person in your past doesn’t necessarily make them the best for you…maybe the best is yet to come 🙂 I pray you will live with hope and great expectancy for someone more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.
Tanmoy Ghosh says
First of all i like to say thanks to you for all the tips and some of the real truth of life which you always try to present in your valuable lines. These are really valuable for me and i hope i will always try to follow them in my personal life, but pass them on to others too. Thank you so much.!
Kristi PJ says
Just what I needed to read today! Thank you. Good stuff.
TB at BlueCollarWorkman says
“Just because you have a past with someone, doesn’t mean you should have a future with them” — that is an EXCELLENT point. I personally get caught in thinking this way and it’s not helpful. Sometimes you just have to let people go. What if having a past with someone makes you keep them in your life when it’s not beneficial to either of you, and that prohibits someone new and positive from entering your life? That’d be bad. No hard feelings, but people come and people go from our lives, just as we come and go from others’ lives.
Pauline says
Since I stumbled upon Marc & Angel, my life, the way i view it and think about it, has changed. I feel I have more hope appreciation, inspiration and a warm happy feelings inside. Thank you so much Marc&Angel, I would truly still be stuck if it wasn’t for the both of you 🙂 xx
Asmaa says
Thank you that gave me a push.
Gladys says
I couldn’t agree more that it’s never too late to change your life. Change happens whether we want it to or not. The important thing to remember is that we can only change ourselves – not others. Our power lies in how we choose to respond to change.
Your article is a wonderful guide to begin making positive changes in our lives – at any age.
Jonathan Look, Jr. says
Letting go of the past is SO important. The only place you can live is in the present. Far too many people are living in the past or for “someday”. What is wrong with living NOW?
Lacretia says
Great article and wonderful website! I really needed to read this today. I am at a point in my life where I want change and trying to take the first step.
Edet Umo says
My early morning capsules to start a busy and loaded thursady, thanks to Marc and Co.
This post is more than what you think, it is truely the voice of God to a troubled and devasted heart. It is a compass and atlas to a depressed and perplexed soul. It is a hope and a guide to the hopeless.
Abdul Rauf says
Another blasting post to learn from. I always get insipiration from your blog. I will soon include your blog as my first top insipirational source of My Life Blog
elizabeth says
in the process of trying to shift my attitude towards several circumstances and relationships in my life. this post has given me the final push to embrace the freedom and possibility that comes with letting go. it’s so easy to settle for mediocre because of what’s comfortable. i loved this statement from the introduction – “realign my life with the things that make me happy”. what an excellent mantra.
Zac says
Many people don’t realize it’s never too late. They are too caught up in their lives and how they think it’s “supposed to be” to see how it could be if they only started living on their own terms. I think #1 is one of the most important. It’s hard to subtract things from your life without feeling loss but sometimes that loss is very, very worth it.
Calgary says
Great read you two! Change is always possible, because it is always constant.
V. Nicholette says
LOVE LOVE LOVE This blog…There’s always that ONE that just HITS HOME…”Better not Bitter” my offical new motto-Keep the inspiration coming<3
Nick says
#2 is so simple but massively important. A major difference between the people who succeed and those who don’t is just believing they are capable. There is absolutely no reason not to and much to gain from it.
Angel says
I just ended a physically, verbally and emotionally abusive relationship that I was in for 10 years last Monday. I was feeling lost, wondering if I did the right thing and missing my ex really bad. Thank you so much for advice #6. It gave me just the right push to keep going. It made me realize that I shouldn’t be afraid and in fact should be happy for finally loving myself enough.
Marc says
@All: Thank you. Your kindness continues to inspires us every single day.
@Herman: I think our article 10 Signs it’s Time to Let Go may contain some of the information you’re inquiring about. And surely we will touch on some of these principles again in the future as well.
Braja patnaik says
No. 10: Enjoy where you are now! Nothing beats this. Mindfulness in other words. Great post as usual!
Hack My Modern Lifestyle says
Another excellent list Marc. I absolutely agree with what you said especially the part on: Dedicate some time every day to loving yourself. It is very important to love yourself in order to move forward in life and often people neglected this point.
David Watts says
Hi Marc & Angel
Thanks for all the great advice which I share on twitter, facebook and with my family and close friends. Here is a quote I saw this morning that I thought you might like.
Sudha Rai
– ‘The more you understand yourself the easier it is to remain happy and peaceful.’
Best wishes
David
Nikky44 says
I agree with all the points. All are perfect, but the last one doesn’t apply to all situations. At least it doesn’t apply to me right now. I’m trying to get to a better place.
cvetkoff says
Very useful! And wonderful website! I really needed to read this today. I agree it’s never too late to start changing life.
asithi says
Change is never comfortable. But when you are ready to be uncomfortable, you can transform your life.
James Short says
This is inspiring. Reading through the list made me realize that it is really important to keep a positive outlook in life.
Susan says
Just came across this lovely site by CHANCE !
Just what I need now as in need of CHANGE & being part of a ‘tribe’ that consists of spiritually evolved (evolving) people whom Eckhart Tolle speaks about in his wonderful books. Where ARE YOU ? I have sold up (again ha-ha) & am ready to move to anywhere & live my soul’s destiny with like-minded, advanced souls of same intent = living, creating life as is intended, full of music, joy, humor, play, beauty, etc., one that inspires, energises, does not ‘wear us out !’ Salut, Namaste Susan
emma s. malimban says
i really enjoy my daily newsletter
i was just wondering if you have a compilation of these daily inspirations in a book
it would be nice to give as a gift
nthabi says
Its just what I needed to ready, could not have come at a better time. Life is too short to spend around moping, its never too late to follow your dream. Today is the day, I will do my part. We somehow think that we are meant to gop through life surrounded by troubles and pain, but deep down I believe that that’s not how its supposedto b.
koena says
This is a great information. I like this website very much. Sometimes when I read your posts I just see good tears filling up in my eyes… thanks to u marc and angel.
Uyama says
You never cease to amaze me wit ur wonderful posts. Life is so much better because of people like you.
Aardy jamdagni says
Awesome post!
I agree with all the points.
Conor says
Amazing guidance provided. Sincerely appreciated.
Nancy says
Thank you so much for doing what you do. You two continue to make a huge difference in the lives of so many of us. The world is certainly a better place because of your blog.