Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I am 33 yrs old and dont physically feel old but I cant help but conceptualize that the years are in fact rolling by. I remember in my early 20's I would have a desire to do something and I would think to myself, "Oh I have forever to learn to do that or accomplish that."

I'm not feeling that way anymore...maybe b/c I am now married & a home owner (i.e that qualifies me as now being a "big girl" ) or maybe b/c about 10 yrs have gone by and I still have not accomplished things that I wanted to do when I was 22. I really dont want to feel this same way on my 44th b-day. So hence my question (and I know its all relative) but lets say for example that I wanted to learn how to shake my bum like Beyonce or do back flips, do think there comes a time (even if you can physically do it) that ppl should look for new dreams?

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

yes i have a house, husband, cats, career and i decided i can do two things: go back to school and get a degree that i always wanted to complete or save up and travel. I will at least do one of those two.

Kids are great and all but its not like we can afford them and honestly i know plenty of our friends who are 40 just starting families now so that gives me 9 years of freedom before i am tied down.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

No, you are never too old. My grandma learned to play the piano in her 60's because she always wanted to learn.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I know it's a poor attitude but yeah, I often do. I won't go back to school or change careers at 29, I feel like I am too old and it will be impossible to go to another job and make what I am making at a job I have been at for 10 years. Maybe when I'm older I will have a different outlook...

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Yes; I am 32 and realistically would never and could never become a professional athlete. The odds are stacked against me for becoming a professional swimsuit model, actress, or singer. Reality interferes with dreams. I have a mortgage, a job, a husband, and a son--my dream of quitting and going solo around the world isn't going to happen, but I traded those dreams in for new ones (that luckily are my reality).

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Never too old...
My Mom always thought she was too old to learn all of todays technologies... never had a cell, NEVER used a computer, etc etc...now she's more tech'ed up then ME! LOL. Awesome sourround sound, flat screen tv, brand new computer, high tech cell...etc etc. Took her a year, but shes learned alot!!

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Message edited 11/27/2011 12:51:55 PM.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I agree w/ Kevin, never too old. I'm 40 & have the house & 2 kiddos & hubby & work FT. I went back to school & got my masters at 34 (when I registered, it felt like it would take forever b/c I was working FT & married--but guess what you put your mind to it & it gets done.) If you don't have goals/dreams, you'll remain where you are & guess what those 5 & 10 years will pass anyway...

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Posted by imthekevinofcindyandkevin

never too old to learn something new.
for instance i'm 46 and i learned that 44 is "old" by reading this thread.

my wife and i are haveing a baby so i'll be learning how to balance a 14 year old daughter and a newborn...

the only limits in life are the ones you put upon yourself "young lady".

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

You are NEVER too old for new endeavours. That's what life is all about, learning!

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

You are never too old. You are your own limitation!

I went back to riding horses the day I turned 41. I had not rode a horse in almost 20 years. I went back to school at 35 for a complete career change.

I never limit myself if I want to do something. I am ONLY half way though my life expectancy if I live about the "average". I have plenty of time to do things. I am not old. I hope to still have many many years of living.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

A long time ago when Ann Landers and Dear Abby each were alive and had a column in Newsday, somebody wrote in and asked a question about it being too late to go back to school and how old she would be in 4 years when she graduated. I can't remember which of the two columns it was in, but the response was - how old will you be in 4 years if you don't go back to school.

Umm, so no, I think if you have a dream and are physically capable you should go for it.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Depends. With age comes more responsibilities which can cause certain barriers of succeeding the way one might want. Some people sacrafice their wants/needs bc they have to put others first. (Children, parents etc...).

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Yes, some things you do get too old for. Depends on what it is and each person's own circumstances and life.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

It's all about perspective; if you asked my DH he would emphatically say NO. He chose the wrong career path, and truly belongs in an architectural firm or working for NASA, but he claims he's too old to go back to school to start again, despite my repeated urging and support.

I grew up in a family, though, where people always took twists and turns throughout their life, no matter how old. My mom was a clinical psychologist, turned professor, turned union president. My grandmother learned how to paint when she was over 80, and was a damn good painter at that!

I want to learn hebrew - I started classes but then I got pregnant with Yael and was too sick, but I plan on going back, and I undoubtedly have many plans for my future that depart from my comfort zone.

I don't think you are ever too old... as long as you stay young in your head.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Posted by nov04libride
I have a mortgage, a job, a husband, and a son--my dream of quitting and going solo around the world isn't going to happen, but I traded those dreams in for new ones (that luckily are my reality).

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

There ARE things that are easier when you are younger. For example, babies/kids pick up languages easier. For some reason if you learn a language from when you are very young you can pick it up easier BUT if you commit the time and effort to something YES you can.

Now dancing like Beyonce? IMO a lot that is natural ability. I am not athletic. I could have been practicing shooting a basketball for the last 20 yrs and it would never make me good

So my answer is. YES YOU CAN. But some things require an innate ability.

As far as college or career it is NEVER too late IMO

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I really don't think, as long as you're still physically & mentally capable, that you are too old to accomplish your goals, but I know it's easy to feel that way. I'm only 23 years old, but I wanted to have finished college & be in my career & saving towards a house by now. Well, I'm still in college (on a LOA) because real life continously gets in my way of finishing, and right now I barely have a down payment for a Playskool house for the backyard. Just yesterday I had a conversation with my mom about how depressed I am that my life has not gone anywhere near the path I envisioned & how I'll never be able to fix it now. Her exact response was "You're 23 for Goddsakes! You still have about 50 years before it's too late!"

My mom also always tells me that 10 years will pass anyway or you'll reach X age eventually, may as well have accomplished some goals in that time.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I don't think you're ever too old....sure, it may be easier to accomplish something like learn a language or how to do a split when you're younger but that doesn't mean it's impossible. My mother learned Greek, moved to two different countries, and went back to school and got a degree all in her thirties. She opened a chain of businesses in her forties. Again went back to school in her fifties. Learned how to use the computer in her sixties. She is constantly learning/trying new things and isn't allowing age to hold her back. I look to her as inspiration!

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

Yes, I am too old to be in the olympics, to old to hang out a college bars and to old to wear ripped jeans.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I hope not!

I am 35 and newly unemployed from a job I went to college for & have done for 13 years.

I decided that I think I will go back to school in January for something completely different since the prospect of a job in my field @ anywhere near the same pay isn't looking good.

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

I remember that Dear Abby post and thought about it when reading your question. The person said that life had gotten in the way and that they were now 44 years old, that it would take them 6 years with all of the schooling necessary for them to become a doctor. Abby replied sagely, that in 6 years the writer would still be 50 years old and have a good 30 years of a career ahead of them.

Later on I recalled a post script where the original writer said she went to medical school and is a Dr. who could not be happier and was thrilled she followed Abby's advice.

So my advice to you, in 10 years you will be 10 years older. Life is NEVER to short to learn something new. You may have different challenges than you had when you were younger, but if you put your mind to it, you can do almost anything. I went to law school with a woman who was in her 80s! If she can do it, then you can do it too. Good luck!!!

Re: Do you think you are ever to old to accomplish or achieve something in life

no way!!! My goals have changed, but I still have many. When I complete one, I add another!