Old people, don't despair!

[mt_myke]

I'm not usually one to just link to articles, but this one seems worth it:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/238924

For the record, I'm newly 44 as I type this. I know many (if not most) of the members of this forum are in their 20s. Who here is over the "four-oh" and starting a business? Who has successfully (you're living off it) started a business past that age?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AllenCrawley]

Who here is over the "four-oh" and starting a business? Who has successfully (you're living off it) started a business past that age?

[[raises hand]]

 

[Vigilante]

Yeah. Allen's old.

 

[Andy Black]

Yep. 43 and proud of it.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[miked_d]

I'm in the older crowd. That means I have more life experience. Very knowledgeable about things that will not work.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Me too! I published my first book just a year ago in my mid-forties.

Great article, BTW.

 

[Vigilante]

Yeah CH is pretty old.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Andy Black]

Something I have noticed as I get older, is that I am in less of a rush. Why are those with most of their life ahead of them in such an infernal rush? Enjoy the journey.

 

[Hackdroot]

Thanks for the link. 42 here and just starting off.

 

[Vigilante]

Shit you guys are all old.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Andy Black]

Noticed you all over this thread like a rash but not putting out any numbers sir!

I suspect sarcasm and we're whippersnappers in your eyes?

Shit you guys are all old.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Shit you guys are all old.

Eh?! Could you speak up, Sonny?

 

[Boyd]

Another "old guy" checking in here.

I'm only just getting started on my fastlane journey even though next month I'll be 41.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[jon.a]

You guy's aren't even close.

 

[Vigilante]

Noticed you all over this thread like a rash but not putting out any numbers sir!

I suspect sarcasm and we're whippersnappers in your eyes?

29 and holding. Again.

 

[Ramble On]

Right there with you. 45 years old and just started my first business a little over a year ago.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[TJPB]

[emoji113]

 

[mt_myke]

Well I certainly feel a lot better reading so many replies from fellow old people. Gives me hope after too many posts on here along the lines of "I'm already 28 and feel like life has passed me by...is it too late??"

 

[Esquire]

I'm 42.

And the older I get ... the more rushed I become.

When I was in my 20s and 30s ... I did not much mind "sacrificing today" ... in the name of of a better tomorrow.

But now that I'm in my 40s ... that prospect does not sit that well with me.

I am much more mindful of the clock.

At the same time (curiously) ... I'm more mindful of today.

I am less willing to sacrifice my today... for a tomorrow that might never come.

Otherwise ... I fear I might spend my whole life climbing the mountain ... and never enjoying the view.

I mean ... who knows when I will become a Fastlane Millionaire ...?

Two years ...? Ten years ...? Twenty Years ...? Never ...?

One thing's for damn sure ... time flies fast.

So in some respects ... I am more impatient. And in other respects ... I am more indifferent ... focused on enjoying my time in the here and now.

Odd paradox.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AllenCrawley]

@Vigilante is older than most here including me... but certainly not older than @jon.a.

 

[Toushi]

The older crowd is where I get my inspiration from; takes more gusto to own yourself at an age where most everyone else has already sold their soul.

 

[Esquire]

The older crowd is where I get my inspiration from; takes more gusto to own yourself at an age where most everyone else has already sold their soul.

I think of that often ... how many people my age ... are married, with kids, car payments and a big fat mortgage ... and for the most part ... they look beat down and dead on their feet. They've completely let themselves go to hell ... their poor quality of life noticeably has aged them ... and their ambitions are by and large gone.

I have little to nothing in common with them. And the sad part is ... that's most of them.

I think marriage and mating plays a big part of it. When you are young (early 20s) ... no one expects you to be established. If you live in a dorm room (or whatever) ... and are pursuing your dreams ... no big deal.

But as you get older ... that becomes less and less cool ... or (more accurately) less cool with the demographic that matters most to most -- women.

They want a provider or ... at the very least ... someone to pull the yoke along with them. The older you get ... the harder it is to pursue your Fastlane ambitions ... and still have a quality relationship at home.

Most women ... for better or worse ... are consumer driven shoppers driving the slow lane.

Sure ... once you have made your fortune ... the sky is the limit. Getting laid and finding a mate ... no problemo.

But in the meantime ... it creates problems.

I've been somewhat fortunate ... my girlfriend divorced a multi-millionaire ... and I have my law degree to fall back on to pay the bills.

But I won't lie ... even in my fortunate circumstance ... my pursuit of the Fastlane ... is taking a toll on our relationship.

She wants an event. Whereas I am committed to the process.

She is so frustrated with my Fastlane pursuits ... she won't even talk about the projects I am working on.

Causes a lot of tension. She wants me to pursue a traditional career path. But I am of a very different mindset.

It's not easy ... pushing on ... while trying to maintain a relationship ... but the thought of taking a dead end career path ... with a metaphorical glass ceiling ... to me ... is a fate almost as bad as death.

I can deal with struggle. I can deal with sacrifice. I cannot deal with a loss of hope.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[OscarDeuce]

Buncha young whippersnappers! I passed the big 40 over 10 years ago. Been living off the income from my consulting business for the past 8 years or so. Started a television production company about 5 years ago which is generating revenue and should turn a profit this year. I will say, one of the things that really attracted me to this forum was - young people actually wanting to be successful in business!!! Actually, I think the whole age bit is irrelevant. I'm here to learn from the best, whether they're 16 or 116, and to help others with what I know, regardless of age.

Cheers,
O-2

 

[Vigilante]

http://www.inc.com/dave-hersh/6-way...s-can-outpace-younger-rivals.html?cid=sf01002

 

[RHL]

Early 40's... damn. Can I have you guys' stuff when you die in a year or two?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[GravyBoat]

I'm already 28 and feel like life has passed me by...is it too late??"

It's funny because I feel this way even at age 19. I've done lots in the past year but still feel like I haven't accomplished AS MUCH as I should have or was capable of. I always have this feeling of urgency. Anyone else care to chime in on this subject? (Not to hijack this thread or anything, but I sort of feel like we are talking about a similar feeling).

 

[KLaw]

Awesome post - Thanks. I will be 45 in about a month. (Shhhh - i know y'all thought i was about 13 with my posts)

 

[Toushi]

Here's a quote from a 93 year old cellist who dedicated his life to his art:

"If you continue to work and to absorb the beauty in the world about you, you find that age does not necessarily mean getting old. At least, not in the ordinary sense. I feel many things more intensely than ever before, and for me life grows more fascinating."

If one is living more passionately and vigorously than the masses is he truly an old soul?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[OscarDeuce]

Early 40's... damn. Can I have you guys' stuff when you die in a year or two?

Sure...but you may have to wait a bit. I'm in the best shape of my life, take no meds, and plan on seeing 120. Remember, 70 is the new 30.

Cheers,
O-2

 

[DaisyH]

Yep, count me in too on this over 40 group.
Was busy taking care of my family and the past decade just flew by!
Now..well now it's time for me to take control and get off the friggin sidewalk