Here’s What We’re Covering:

Well, I have good news and I have bad news.

The bad news is your job drains the life out of you. That old flame called ‘purpose’ is more like a pilot light, now.

You’re scarred, and you’re jaded because you’ve tried to break out before by starting your life over and failed.

It’s easier to accept your station in life and tell yourself things will never change for you than starting over at 40.

As a result, there’s just too much going on in your life to risk dreaming again. The good news is that these real-world challenges offer enormous advantages.

You’ve earned your scars.

You have experience, perspective and insight into things the competition won’t know for decades to come. And you can use these to carve out a place for yourself

This post focuses on the good news.

By Starting Over at 40 You’re Able To Ignore What People Think You Should Be Doing

Everyone from Gary Vaynerchuck and James Altucher to Chris Guillebeau will tell you that you don’t need a job anymore.

Spend five minutes on Instagram and witness the 20-year-olds who preach about following your passion, leaning into your strengths and blazing your own trail.

Travel the world in a van! Manage the social media for clueless fortune 500’s for bag loads of cash, or take a selfie in front of someone else’s supercar and tell your tribe they could be living this life if they just paid $97 a month for your tell-all 12-month program.

Specific Content for You: How to Create Your Passion

I recall Gary himself pleading to the crowd at a live event to “…please, please, stop doing sh*t you don’t like. You don’t have to do that anymore!”

Stop doing all the things that completely ruin your motivation.

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Hell, I reckon if I were still 22, I’d be thinking the only thing I need to do is to quit my job, live anywhere and join the new rich! Oh no, hang on a minute, that’s from Tim Ferris’s book…

I know I sound cynical, but I have so much of this stuff swirling around in my head, I sometimes wonder if my thoughts are my own anymore.

And I bet some of you are the same. If you’re over 40, you probably think most of it is nonsense. That’s because, like me, you’ve been around; you’ve done things.

You’ve made children, got married, and you have a job with a mountain of bills to pay.

But like those viral posts that lead you down an hour-long rabbit hole (when all you were trying to do was Google the correct spelling for ‘emancipated’), you still find yourself wishing it were all true.

You Aren’t Aware What Starting Over at 40 Actually Means

Let me tell you, in your middle years, a perfect storm approaches. Part of the story is the dreaded midlife crisis, but that’s more of a disruption to the storm than part of the storm itself.

Time brings out these three powerful elements

  • Experience
  • Perspective
  • Scars

It’s the convergence of these three powerful elements creates something wonderful:

midlifetribe become an entreprenuer

Notice anything unique about these elements? None of them can be bought or faked.

They must be lived. If you’ve made it to the other side of 40, you have each of these in spades.

That means you have the most valuable asset you can use to start a new life.

You’re An Expert Without Realizing It

You’ve done stuff, seen things, and been damaged along the way. You’ve had highs and lows, victories and failures.

And because of all this, you have things to offer those who are coming up behind you.

You are, without question, expert enough at something – probably a few things.

This puts you in an enviable position. Seriously – the 20-something’s with stars in their eyes don’t have what you have.

A twenty-year-old might have go-all-night levels of energy, but he has little precious real-world experience. He hasn’t tasted failure or disappointment or responsibilities like you have.

They don’t understand the value of the long game. Their mind is unfettered by the struggles of midlife, divorce, or demanding teenage children.

Building Your Audience Just Became Easier

Build a global audience for that something you have that no one else does.

Think about your career/s, your skills, your natural talents and the things you love to do – even if you barely get time to do them.

There is stuff you know, things you’ve done, perspectives you have and wounds you carry that people want to hear about.

Not your uncle or your sister, but other people.

Remember, we’re living in the most opportune environment we’ve ever known.

Statistics of Internet Users Business Opportunity

For the first time in history, it’s possible to reach over three billion people using a simple little blog. The rise of smartphones and social media amplifies this to a scale unseen before.

Best of all, even the most narrowly focused topic can appeal to thousands – perhaps millions – of people. Not long ago, I met a young woman at a YouTube conference who was making an excellent full-time living from modifying dolls and posting videos of the process she followed. Really. She even had an agent.

Regardless of what you do for a living; no matter where you are in your life right now, there is a special niche just for you.

It needn’t be unique or particularly appealing to the masses because the uniqueness and the appeal will be YOU. Your perspective. Your voice.

Let me give you three wonderful assets you possess right now.

The Three Assets That Will Make Starting Over at 40 Incredible!

1. Limited Time

For one, you have limited time (both genealogically and practically). That means you can’t faff around with six ideas at once. You need to focus on one thing at a time, frankly, there’s only so much you can do after you get home, kiss the wife, kick the dog, hoof down dinner and help your kids with their homework.

This is a very good thing. You’re methodical, deliberate and purposeful with whatever you pursue.

It also means you’ll likely pay for tried and tested advice and follow that advice to the letter. This propensity to focus your effort puts you way above the youngins who are prone to ‘new and shiny’ syndrome at every turn.

2. Desire For Quality of Life

The second advantage in your arsenal is the desire for a better quality of life.

You don’t just want the money. A pool full of bikini-clad women and a garage-load of Italian supercars would be nice, but…meh, that’s not really you.

And besides, your wife would probably leave you, and your kids would start calling their mom’s new boyfriend, “Dad”.

What I’m saying is you’ll probably pursue entrepreneurship for the ‘right’ reasons. And that, too, is a very good thing. It means your actions will have the ring of truth. And in today’s celebrity/fake sincerity-saturated world, that’s as bankable as money. It means you’ll attract quality customers, powerful allies and great collaborators. It sets you apart from the wannabes.

3. Your Story

The biggest thing you can use to start a new life, though, is your story.

You’ve been here a while and done a few things therefore you actually have a story; you don’t need to make one up! You can be completely yourself and be almost guaranteed finding enough people who resonate with your story.

My story, for example, is of someone who’s tried and failed at many things.

I’ve made money and I’ve lost money; Been married, and been divorced. Suffered debilitating setbacks, and I’ve endured a full-blown midlife crisis.  But I’ve also triumphed and broken through the haze. I’ve zeroed in on a few things I love, and these days, I live an autonomous and fulfilling life.

Starting your life over is possible!

And best of all, I’ve found a few intersections between the things I enjoy, the things I know and the things I’m good at – and I’ve made a life out of them.

You can start over too.

Yes, you must respect the constraints of the season you’re in, but don’t let them stop you from formulating plans and taking consistent action towards the life you want.

In the 1979 Muppet Movie, Kermit said, “Life’s like a movie; write your own ending.”

So my message is this. Be yourself, stake your claim, and go do something extraordinary!

You’re Already A Master At Multi-Tasking

The great thing about today is, you don’t need to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

You can keep your miserable job and build something on the side and not much capital (if any) is needed to start. Renting office space isn’t even necessary! Hell, you don’t even need a business card.

Thanks to this wonderful thing called The Internet, you can start over right where you are.

It doesn’t matter whether you choose to sell products, freelance for clients or share your knowledge, there’s a captive audience waiting.

Start Your Life Today Over 40 Years Old
Instagram @midlifetribe

Wrapping This Up…

Sure there’s plenty to learn, depending on your chosen path, but that’s the other great thing. You don’t need to return to school or sign up for an MBA.

There’s a plethora of quality education available online that’ll guide you to whatever you deem nirvana for you.

You only need to decide to get in the game and begin your journey now.

So, five years from now, you’ll be five years older, whether you do this or not.

Tomorrow is a brand new day and that’s as good a time as any to start your life over!

Please comment below if you have any stories, questions, or suggestions with any part of this – I will be responding to everything immediately for the next couple of days.

Good luck, and talk to you below!

Additional Resources:
The Overthinker’s Guide to Taking Action
21 Ways to Overcome Impostor Syndrome

Author

Avatar for Peter Fritz
Peter Fritz

Peter Fritz is the founder of MidlifeTribe- a site that teaches midlife mastery to men and women who want control of their money, their time and their LIFE. He's also a dad, a husband, an ex-husband, photographer and outdoorsy guy.

17 comments add your comment

  1. Peter,

    It looked like the messages in this article were somehow familiar to me in the beginning, though, when I finished reading this, I realised that by your wordings I felt that the heavily messed out fragments of feelings and thoughts in my mind were summed up for the first time. And this your wordings actually showed me the weight of experiences, feelings, and thoughts you gained through your journey. I appreciate that you shared it.

    To me, your article was more like connecting elements I had, not like triggering new thoughts or convictions. That means, I think, everyone who reads this article basically have got enough elements to become themselves. But unfortunately, ordinary educations do not offer any teachings to connect them and so some of us have no clue how to integrate them into wisdoms.

    Here now I can accept that my perspective on my own life which was totally negative, pathetic and miserable was a mixture of my self-consciousness and self-indulgence. Being, or being thinking that I am on the rock bottom is somehow comfortable thing because if I wanted, I could just stay there, not trying and not changing.

    I was putting myself in the rockbottom for many years which was also my own creation, thinking that I was nobody, I had nothing, and I would become nobody. But then, I just happened to find your article here, and I feel that my back released some tension so that I could look a bit upper.

    I respect that you made this action. Just personally, in return, I will do the same. Well, I’ve just started a minute ago.

    I apologise for my poor English. But please take it also as your achievement that your words made a totally fu*ked up Japanese guy living in Poland stand up again.

    I thank you very much.

  2. Sorry it’s bit late to comment out this story.
    Not reach 40 yet, but I love your store, and the advices from it.
    Thanks!

  3. Awesome and inspirational writing. Truly, we are a culmination of our experiences both good and bad. It depends on what we do with them.
    Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.
    James Lane Allen
    The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. Ernest Hemingway

  4. We must continue to share these truths. There are so many who are stuck in the trenches, simply not realizing the wealth of opportunities available in this era and all that they actually have within them as a result of their life experiences.

  5. Wow, a complete eye opener! Man, you almost pull a tear as I was reading this article. I’m 39 father of beautiful kids and in the middle of a possible divorce of almost 20 years. My life can be define more as a failure. I’ve tried several businesses through my life, but most of them failed. Now, umemployed from a job that I held for 18 years, I find myself between the rock and hard place where should I start? My drive to become an entrepreneur has never been extinguished, but the self confidence has diminished a lot due to the battle scars of life. Thanks Peter again for such well needed article.

    • Mate, thank you for writing, and I sincerely apologise for taking this long to respond. I only realised today that your comment was here.

      Okay, the first thing – I know EXACTLY how you feel. Your words are as though they’ve come directly from me. I feel for you. I’ve been where you are and it’s utterly debilitating.

      BUT, you have soooo much time to turn this ship around, believe me! You can take five years; ten if necessary, to be monumentally successful. And now you have your scars, too. Don’t scoff – they’ll come in handy down the track.

      The most important advice I can give you right now is to get a regular income coming back in. Do NOT put the pressure of generating revenue on any entrepreneurial venture. It will kill it AND your spirit in one fell swoop. Get your house in order first. Then, and only then, should you start looking at creating a side hustle. Whether it’s through an online physical product business, affiliate marketing, digital products (like courses, etc.), writing, consulting or whatever, take your time. There are a lot of bullsh*t artists out there, but depending on what you need to learn, there are some 100% ethical guys waiting to help you, too. Feel free to reach out to me at any time. 🙂

    • Sorry to hear of you challenges. I have not walked your path but challenges do become rewards over time.
      Keep your dreams focused to become great and realize your potential for who you truly are!
      These guys here are awesome!

  6. Thanks for this meaningful post and With the dominance of the Internet, it’s easier than ever to find resources you need, including startup capital, loans, grants and even mentors. 🙂

  7. I was literally crying reading this because I now know I’m not alone. I’m only 33, but I’ve always been a bit of an old soul and I’m in a crisis right now of what to do with my life. I’ve just had two children, I’ve been in technology sales for almost 15 years, and even though both of these things provide me endless learning opportunities and daily challenges I’m still “bored.” I need a change and you’re just one more boot kickin’ me in the rear. Just liked your facebook page and subscribed 🙂 Thank You for the inspirational words.

    • Crystal – thank you for saying all that, and I REALLY get where you’re at right now. I thoroughly recommend starting something small on the side. But before jumping in, you must get some guidance on what to do and how. Most people wait till they’re bursting at the seams with frustration, then they just do ‘anything’. And then they fail. Bottom line is, they wind up even more miserable than they were before. The trick is to find the intersection between these things ( owe this to Steph Crowder from Fizzle):

      – Values (how you want to spend your days)
      – Environment (what type of working style suits you)
      – Interest (stuff you’d like to work on)
      – Expertise (stuff you’re really good at)

      Having said all this, don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis, either. Figure out what you’d really like to do, then start small. Learn a bit, do a bit, repeat. Don’t get bogged down in the learning.

      All the best and thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s nice to have you here. 🙂

  8. Hi, this weekend is nice in support of me, for the reason that this time
    i am reading this enormous educational post here at my house.

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