Remember when you were a young child? What did you want to be when you grew up? For most young children with no life experience to compare, their vision of the future is optimistic. Many times this may even be true with children who start out in difficult situations.

So what happened? Did you grow to be the person you thought you would be? For most people, they didn’t become that fireman, astronaut, or point guard in the NBA. As one’s life experience develops, their future vision changes. For some, education, role models, and opportunities expand their options. For others, economic pressures, neglect, and a lack of discipline narrow their options. There are many reasons why a person becomes who they become. Still, as long as we are alive, we have a choice. We can change.

Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Whatever you initially thought you wanted to be in life, you thought it because you believed it would make you happy. And you can still be happy! “Life is a journey“ is not just a bumper sticker – it’s the reality! Daily you reach a destination. If it’s not the destination you want, pick a new path.

Here are 7 ways to create movement toward planning the life you want, even if you are older.

1. Move: A body in motion stays in motion, and a body at rest stays at rest. The theory of relativity applies to life and can shatter the concrete barriers that make us feel stuck. Start with something simple like taking a walk. And don’t just move your body, move your mind. Move your emotions.
2. Use Your Imagination: OK baby boomers! If you’re going to dunk on Michael Jordan, make sure Jordan is using a walker and you are jumping off the trampoline. The point is, be realistic but not too realistic. Give your mind the opportunity to explore possibilities, real or imagined. Dunking may not be your thing, but maybe you could work for an NBA team in some other capacity. So think about something you’d love to do, and see yourself doing it successfully.
3. Count The Cost: A wise man once asked, if you want to build something, would you not calculate the expense first? If you really love whales but you are 60 years-old, you may want to calculate the cost before getting a degree in marine biology. Universities are happy to take your money, and lenders are happy to pay your tuition, but do you have enough time and will you make enough return to pay it back? Instead, consider other things you might do such as, work for a whale watching excursion tour, or become an ocean photographer. The point is, pick something with a lower barrier to entry and more immediate gratification.
4. Learn How: “What one man can do another man can do!“ says Charles Morris played by Anthony Hopkins in the 1997 thriller, The Edge. This 60-year-old billionaire had the fortitude to kill a bear who stalked him after his plane crashed in the snowy mountains. No, I am not recommending that you do open-heart surgery without going to medical school, even if you can find how-to videos on YouTube. If you have a natural disposition toward doing something, why not try it? Do personal study and research. Learn how to do the things you want to do. Keeping in mind, one of the two most powerful words is “HOW?”
5. Feed Your Why: The other of the two most powerful words is “WHY?” It acts as the fuel that drives your activity. If you’re why doesn’t make you cry, you probably won’t do it for very long. But if you know why you’re doing something, and you feed your why, you can’t help but to take action.
6. Find Supportive People: It’s not always what you know, but who you know. Gravitate toward those who would encourage your path. And find people who have done what you want to do. Many times you can find support groups and individuals on LinkedIn, the professional community that enables you to progress or change careers.
7. Forget What You’ve Done but Remember Who You Are: This one is a little tricky because where ever you go, there you will always be. The idea is that you have and can use your life experience. Make it work for you. But don’t lock yourself in or typecast yourself to play the same role forever. Explore new boundaries. Learn new things. And most of all, have fun!Remember, this is your life. Discover that person you knew you would become one day.