Bruno's Web Tip

Bruno Gideon is a regular columnist for the SCCC website. Bruno will share some of his wisdom with our readers by giving useful tips for everyday life and practical advice for today’s entrepreneurs.

Bruno will also love to hear back from our readers by e-mail.

 

 

 

How old is too old?

When they tell me I'm too old to do something, I try to do it immediately.
- Pablo Picasso

I am taking a class on creative writing at the University of Toronto. Some of my friends have told me in no uncertain terms, “At your age? You’re crazy!” Well, that may be true, but I am enjoying the course very much. I could be the grandfather of most of my fellow students, but I feel fully accepted – the age difference is never an issue. Not only is the course interesting; it also makes me feel good!

Now what about you? Do you think you’re too old to embark on a new challenge or pursue a new idea? Being old is never a question of years. it is our attitude that gives us our real age. Here are just a few from hundreds of examples to prove my point:

  • Pablo Picasso had a very productive year when he was 90
  • Johann Wolfgang von Goethe finished "Faust" when he was 81
  • Colonel Sanders was 65 when he started KFC
  • Grandma Moses started painting when she was 70. She died at age 101

And the list goes on and on. We'd better get accustomed to the new situation because, once virtually nonexistent, the world's population of centenarians is projected to reach nearly 6 million by midcentury!

Whatever age you are, if you have started thinking, "I can't do it" you are using your age as an excuse to close your mind to a new experience or a new challenge. In actuality the opposite is the case. Why? Because we have a tremendous advantage over younger people: our life experiences and lessons learned are great assets in trying something new. All we have to do is adopt the famous slogan “Just do it!” and a door will open to a new and wonderful world. Let’s stop using our age as an excuse not to pursue our dreams.

Is there something you’re not doing because of your age? As Picasso said in his quote above: "try to do it immediately"!