Have you ever regretted missing out on a great opportunity?
I can still remember a time when I almost bought Apple stock at $15 per share. But just as I was about to invest, the price jumped to $30. I thought to myself, “It’ll come back down, and I’ll buy it then.” But it never did. It just kept rising. I had been ready to purchase a few hundred shares, and to this day, I regret letting that opportunity slip away.
Life presents us with these once-in-a-lifetime moments—some of them priceless. Maybe you passed up on someone who truly loved you because you didn’t recognize it at the time. Or perhaps you turned down an adventure of a lifetime to stay home, only to hear the incredible stories from everyone who went. Sometimes, we choose a higher-paying job instead of the one that might have led us to our dream career, and now we feel trapped by the responsibilities and lifestyle we can’t step away from.
When we reflect on our lives—our relationships, finances, and wealth—we often forget to account for those priceless opportunities we missed. It’s easy to calculate a debt like a mortgage or business loss, but what about the things we let pass us by? Some of those lost opportunities were truly invaluable.
Can we go back and change the past? Many wonder about this, and even science fiction toys with the idea of time travel. The animated show The Simpsons humorously explored the consequences of altering the past and how it might completely reshape the future.
But let’s set aside the notion of going back in time. All we have is this moment, right now, and the future in front of us. Your future can look different if you choose to work on it. You can change the person you see in the mirror, and by doing so, the world around you will begin to change. The possibility of getting back on your path is still there. It will take focus, effort, and faith—but it’s absolutely possible.
God has planted dreams within us from the moment we were conceived. However, many of us have neglected to nurture those dreams, instead focusing on the weeds in our lives—things that can never bear good fruit. These distractions are the weeds of life, destined to wither and be worthless by the end. While God gives us seeds, the devil sows weeds. He scatters them into our gardens to disrupt our lives. The older we get, the more weeds we have to clear. Over time, some of these weeds have grown into massive trees. A simple weed whacker won’t suffice—you’ll need a bulldozer to clear them out.
In order to get back your journey in life and take back some of the missed opportunities will take some effort. You can’t be complacent anymore if you want to pursue the life you were meant to live.
Start today
1. Reflect on Your Current Situation
Before jumping into action, take time to reflect on where you are in life. What’s currently holding you back? Understanding the gap between where you are and where you want to be helps set a clear path forward.
2. Embrace Lifelong Learning
Age doesn’t limit learning. Whether it’s taking a course, reading, or developing new skills, staying curious and adaptable allows you to pivot toward your dreams with confidence.
3. Leverage Your Experience
People in their 40’s have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience. Reframe this as an advantage rather than a limitation. Highlight how transferable skills can be applied to new dreams and ambitions. If you are younger think about how what you are doing now will impact your future.
4. Start Small but Stay Committed
Taking on a massive project all at once can feel overwhelming. Break it down into manageable steps. Consistency, not speed, is the key to progress—especially when getting back into dream-chasing.
5. Surround Yourself with Support
Build a circle of people who believe in your vision. It could be peers, mentors, or a community of like-minded individuals. Having a supportive network gives you motivation and accountability.
6. Overcome Limiting Beliefs
Often, people in their 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s, feel it’s “too late” to make a significant change. Challenge this mindset by showcasing success stories of those who reinvented themselves later in life. This will encourage readers to push past self-imposed limits.
7. Take Care of Your Health
Pursuing dreams requires energy, focus, and mental clarity. Prioritize physical and emotional well-being to ensure you have the stamina to chase your goals.
8. Reframe Risk
While risk-taking may seem scarier later in life, remember you have a strong foundation. Reassess risks from a practical, measured perspective—calculate what’s truly at stake versus what you can gain. If you are younger be clear as to your long term objectives and the consequences of your decisions you make today, remember you can’t go back in time.
9. Find Meaning and Purpose
Pursuing dreams in your when you are older may be about aligning with deeper values. Focus on goals that bring purpose and fulfillment rather than chasing external validation or material success.
10. Celebrate Milestones
Acknowledge and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Milestones keep motivation high and remind you that you’re moving closer to your goals.
“I didn’t get that Apple stock…and today it would probably be worth millions. I didn’t take action when I had the chance. But that missed opportunity taught me a bigger lesson: It’s not about what you lost in the past. It’s about what you’re going to do with the future God has given you.”
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