never too late | David M Masters

Feeling Old? Best Time to Get Started

A growing segment in the people that I am working with these days are the folks which many of you would refer to as the elderly, while every year, these people are looking more and more like my peeps, my classmates, and cronies. Many of them are inspiring me to no end and may have no idea they are mentoring me into increased longevity and quality of life.

The trend that I am seeing (I am unaware of the national statistics on this) is that more older adults are tapping into their inner beings, uncovering their gifts, talents, and special abilities as they embrace their purpose, message, passion, and mission (and here’s the most interesting part) they are monetizing it, as they fulfill their life’s work.

Whoa, that’s why I say, “It’s never too late.” Like many other older people who grabbed their brass rings in their golden years, nothing could stand between them and their desire to live a better life. These people don’t just slip away into retirement. They will never retire. They will continue benevolently giving and extracting the best this life has to offer until they’ve breathed their last breath. And if you ask them, many will insist that their work will survive long after they’ve left.

The Internet is providing for these people an incredible ability to grow their ideas exponentially at unimaginable speed, allowing them to quickly disseminate their message, and self-monetize their own ministries or businesses, with little or no start-up cash. This is leveling the playing field, allowing normal people, like you and me, to enter the global marketplace. Never before have the opportunities been so vast, with such a low cost of entry.

Many are excited about being able to create a legacy, to leave something behind for their children, finance college educations, brighter futures for future generations, and make a contribution to the community of the world. Something that seemed unreachable or impossible only a few years ago is now within their grasp.

While other seniors are relaxing, riding around in golf carts, going on group tours, and watching television programs, these older superheroes are saddling up to do the greatest work of their lives. They’re starting businesses, organizations, movements, and supplementing their income, continuing to expand and improve their lives along the way.

Having a life full of wisdom and experience to draw upon, gives these people an edge over privileged youngsters who are the inheritors of prosperity and opportunity, and in many cases, this new trend is closing the gap between youth and the aged, as we are seeing the world begin to change. It’s starting to look a little more like the days of yore when youth respected and revered the wisdom of their elders.

I look up to and admire these senior citizens who aren’t sliding away into retirement and basically waiting for the end to come. No, these folks are playing out their years full on, and guess what? They report having better health, wellness, and happiness, as well as the increased financial support from their efforts. They have a powerful reason to get up every morning, seize the day, and feel good about their contributions.

They have not ceased to learn how to embrace these emerging technologies, they are uncovering their skills and honing them every day. They are the late-blooming Jedi Masters. And they’re doing a great deal of this from the comfort of their homes with very little overhead; it’s absolutely amazing.

I am also impressed at how these advanced parents are able to invite their families to participate in their enterprises. In an age when families are highly dysfunctional and disintegrating rapidly, a family business can help reunite and cement the family relationship, which may have been passé not long ago.

Stronger seniors, stronger families, stronger youth, with greater independence, opportunity, prosperity, and fulfillment.

If you’re younger, it might be time to have a talk with your parents, or grandparents, about what they might like to do with their lives. May you can help empower them to get from where they are to where they’d like to be and see their dreams come true.

If you’re steadily advancing in age, maybe now is the time to take action and start this new, most exciting, chapter of your life.

It’s never too late.

And for those of you who are doing it, and giving it all you’ve got: Thank you.

You are my heroes, my inspiration.

I love you guys.

Broken 50 Years Old and Alone

In our youth, we felt as though we could conquer the world. We teamed up with a lovely counterpart with which we would together taste every drop of living this life had to offer. We were optimistic and nothing could stand in our way. We were sealed together in the bond of marriage, made promises and meant every word of the vows exchanged. Together we were the center of the universe.

We made plans – good ones – the kind you would be satisfying to fulfill and leave a better future for those who would carry on. Then life happens. Things didn’t turn out the way we planned.

We muster up as much positivity and fortitude as possible and summate that we have another go left in us. Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, we run headlong into another marathon.

Only to see that life (very much) is happening again… and our plans? Well, you know… they didn’t exactly turn out like we thought they would, even with the best intentions, a higher degree of thought and preparation than in our unbridled youth.

We don’t blame you for asking, “How much more of this can I possibly take?” feeling broken, with infrequent thoughts of maybe the world would be better off without you, or that death might be the only way to stop the pain of disappointment, disillusionment and growing depression.

If you’re like many folks in their fifties with a fear of getting old, thinking that you have nothing left in you to give, consider asking yourself

What is God preparing me for?

What gift am I more qualified to give now?

It is likely that this life of adversity has keenly prepared you, from your most unique perspective, to share something powerful and meaningful for others. You would not have been as qualified – or credible – as an authoritative source had you not gone through those experiences or arrived at such conclusions at this seasoned age (which could be 50 years old, plus 20 or minus 10 or so).

Then some second-guessing begins to set-in to thwart your contribution to the world as you think that you’re not qualified or that fifty’s too old to start over again. Whatever your age when this occurs to you – you could be anywhere from 40 years old or 50 years old to 60 years old, 70 years old or more – let it be known that you are perfectly prepared at this time to achieve your highest and best.

The Best is Yet to Come

Stop thinking that you’re too old or broken to succeed. At 45 years old, Henry Ford didn’t let his age keep him from creating the Ford Model T. Being 50 years old didn’t keep Julia Child from writing her first cookbook, Jack Cover from inventing the Taser gun or Charles Darwin from writing, “On the Origin of Species.” At 52 years of age, Ray Kroc (a former milkshake device salesman) launched McDonald’s, which became one of the largest fast-food franchises in history.

In their sixties, Harland (Colonel) Sanders (62) launched Kentucky Fried Chicken and Laura Ingalls Wilder (65) began writing semi-autobiographical stories as “Little House” books which became children’s literary classics, and the basis for Michael Landon’s “Little House on the Prairie” television series.

If you have an interest in the arts, it’s never too late to pick up a paintbrush, like Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma) Moses who started painting at age 78, or begin writing, which was a hobby of Harry Bernstein until he emerged as the prolific author of “The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers” when he was 96 years old.

All that to say any self deprecation due to any idea of imposed (from within or without) ageism is complete rubbish. You’re better than you were before, and you’re never too old to rock and roll.

The time to take action is Now

You are awakening and now, more than ever, in the right place at the right time. This is the beginning of the best story ever. Do your thing, tell your story and make your contribution today because

“I’m goin for all that I can get
Kickin at the top ‘cause I’m too legit to quit.”
~ MC Hammer

You are too legit (now, more than ever) to quit.

You got this
(even if it takes a village)

Story of My Life How to Write a Book

Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t ask me about writing their book. There is no doubt – and I firmly believe – that every person whose heart yet beats has a book inside them dying to get out. The key is allowing the book to be born before you die.

I’m not just randomly saying you need to get your book out before you die because it sounds like a catchy phrase. I’m saying that because I am holding in my hands – right now – the unpublished manuscript from a client and friend who has passed away and it disturbs me greatly.

One’s life is comprised of not just a single story, but many stories potentially beneficial to the community at large… or at the very least, preserving your thoughts in your voice, in effect leaving something meaningful behind. And for god’s sake, don’t wait until it’s too late.

People approach me because part of what I do is to help people tell their stories, transitioning to published author. As the author of the out-of-print book, 7-day Author: You Can Write and Publish Your Book in 7 Days, somehow people still get their hands on the book and contact me. 7 Day Author is no longer relevant due to huge changes in book publishing since the book was released. I still assist clients and friends in telling their stories, writing their books and publishing them within a week, although it is done entirely differently now.

Why don’t I revise the book? The fact is, the industry changes rapidly (as many do) and to commit to a book that may lose relevance or go out of print when the shift happens is no longer a compelling motivation for me. So, now I focus on writing books that are more evergreen, having a longer shelf-life and relevancy.

Story of My Life

Back to your story, the story of your life, stories or life’s lessons yearning to be told. When is now a good time to take action?

You never know what life will bring. Every day I thank God for another chance to continue living this life, doing my part –in some (even small) way – to help make the world a better place and to fulfill my life’s purpose of helping others achieve their highest and best.

Hopefully, as you read these words, you are also listening to that voice within beseeching you to, “Please write our story.” The only difference between authors and those who are not authors is that the authors took the action(s) necessary to write and publish their words.

Yes, I do help people write their books for a fee, but it is not my intent to sell you anything, as there are many ways to write and publish your book at little or no cost to you. It’s not about me, it’s about you; your story that must be told. It’s up to you to take the action…

Start writing. Use pen or pencil and paper, type on a typewriter, use a computer or your cell phone. You could even get a digital (or tape) recorder and simply speak your words and either transcribe them yourself, have someone else do it or use your computer as a transcription device using something, like Dragon Speak. However you do it, do something… every day. You will be surprised how a few hundred words a day will accrue into what could become your book, which may include an important message that needs to be told. In fact, it may be the reason you have lived the life that you have lived.

How to Write a Book

The “how” in how to write a book is of less concern to you in this moment than the actual writing of your book. The most important first step requires taking the daily action of recording your thoughts. This is more important than not doing it.

Formulating your ideas into chapters and having a beginning, a middle and an end may be something you can handle, though it is always good to enlist the aid of someone to assist in the formatting, proofreading and editing, if that is possible. If not, don’t let it stop you. Speaking of stopping:

Don’t Let Anything Stop You

Don’t second-guess yourself, do not allow self-doubt to creep up, don’t let any sense of unworthiness threaten your progress. You don’t need to be famous, have a fancy degree or even adequate writing skills to tell your story. You only need to tell it and let nothing stand between you and the publishing of your book.

Publishing your book

It is quicker and easier to publish your book today – now – more than ever. Once you have your manuscript you can publish it freely in both eBook (Kindle) format and physical printed books (the kind you can hold in your hands and sit on your bookshelf) on demand via Amazon.

No Excuses

There is no reason you cannot get this done. Dear God, please don’t let your opportunity to tell your story – in your words – lapse.

We and the world are waiting…

Even now, we are listening for your voice, desiring to read your words…

Share Your Book

If you have taken the action to get your message out and write your book, please let us know in the comments section below, so that others can be encouraged by your decisiveness in taking the action to see your thoughts documented and come to life.