Over a decade as a career consultant, I met many job seeking clients who constantly told me that age is a barrier in securing a job, or that they hit a certain age that they found themselves ‘unworthy or not marketable’ in society.
I would beg to differ. I personally think that age is not a barrier to pursue your desired career and passion. Granted, there may be some organizations that may not be forthcoming in employing applicants of a certain age group due to many factors such as the nature of the job, the working environment and etc. However, we can always find alternatives in creating our own career and pursuing our passion at any age. All that is needed is to feel the ‘fire’ in their belly, feel the grit, the drive, that hunger to create something special to do their dreams. To do what society says it’s impossible.
Finding a job is not just one and only possibility of earning an income. There are unlimited possibilities that you can tap on using your passion and potential to create the career of your dreams.
I always love to share the story of Tao Porchon-Lynch to encourage and inspire those who believe ‘age is a barrier’ mindset.
Here’s Tao Porchon-Lynch story :
Almost a century old Tao Porchon-Lynch begins every morning at 5am to teach her students how to bend, stretch and master the most difficult yoga poses.
The 96-year-old, who lives in Westchester County, New York, has been practicing yoga for more than 70 years, and she shows no signs of stopping, retiring or even slowing down.
In fact, she has recently added ballroom dancing to her repertoire, and she dances circles around her dance partner Vard Margaryn, who, at 26 and is 70 years her junior.
She began pursuing yoga at age eight, and when she hit adulthood she decided to turn it into a full-time profession.
Lynch is the oldest known living yoga teacher in the world, as recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2012. In a new video for Barcroft TV, she reveals her secrets to maintaining an incredible mind, body and spirit as she approaches her 100th birthday.
Here’s what we can all learn from Lynch in her own words :
“Nothing is impossible, whatever you way to do in life, just tune in and know that within you is the answer to everything and don’t let anybody tell you that you are getting old.”
And here’s her simple yet profound advise for people who want to live a long and happy life.
“If you truly believe, don’t procrastinate, don’t say I’ll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes”
Age can be your most valuable asset, the key to overcoming the age barrier is to focus on all your accumulated work experiences and never allow your age to discourage you in pursuing your passion. Age is just a number, what matters most is (not your age but) how you express your gifts, passion and use your talents and in doing so you make the world a better place.
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