Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young. Henry Ford.

The late Bernard Baruch, financier and advisor to many US presidents was in his late eighties and still going strong, when someone asked him how old he thought ‘old’ was. He replied, “old is fifteen years older than I am.”

That thought occurred to me recently as I was standing in line at the cash desk, waiting to pay for a bottle of wine. There was an attractive, younger woman ahead of me buying a bottle as well.

As she was taking the money out of her purse, the cashier politely asked her for identification, thinking that she might be under age. Here, in Ontario, you have to be at least 19 years of age to purchase wine or liquor.

“I hope you don’t think I’m being personal,” he said. “It’s the law.”

Now, I’m not good at guessing ages but she didn’t look anymore than 30 to me. From my vantage point she is just getting started.

Her face immediately lit up. Laughing, as she handed over her ID card, she replied, “Mind? Are you kidding? I’m flattered. The way my week’s going, I feel like I’m 40!”

She’s not alone. At some point we all reach an invisible, or not so invisible wall, where we begin to feel that we are getting old. Or think we are. Especially in this day and age.

The truth is though, aging doesn’t happen at any given hour or day or decade. The process is not biologically set in stone. It’s all about staying open, continually learning and being willing to adapt to change.

We all age, of course, but we have a choice. It’s a mindset. We can’t stop the clock, but as it keeps ticking, we can resolve to be old or older. We can remain young at heart.

So here’s a question to start off your week:

If you didn’t know how old you were, what age would you be?

Have you made a conscious decision to improve your personal performance and live up to your potential? Let’s chat. Like me to speak to your group? I am easily reachable. Text/call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com

The purpose of life. after all, is to love it, to take experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. Eleanor Roosevelt.

The advent of a new year is a natural time to be thinking, what’s next?

In these crazy, challenging times, whether you feel the need to step up your game, or are consciously considering setting out in a new direction, succeeding in today’s environment calls for courage, imagination and critical thinking.

Consciously is the key word, here. Nothing comes easy. Life is complicated. It tugs at us from many directions. All any of us can do is march as close to the beat of our own drum as we can. Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself, getting crystal clear about what you want to do – and then doing it.

There is no magic bullet. It is up to you. Success, however you define and measure it, comes from within; from having the personal power that comes from a place of a well-defined purpose, doing the necessary work and sometimes, when it is necessary, some wild-eyed, moonshot thinking.

Have you made a conscious decision to improve your personal performance and live up to your potential? Let’s chat. Like me to speak to your group? I am easily reachable. Text/call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com

Nothing builds self-esteem and self confidence like accomplishment. Thomas Carlyle.

The challenges of the New Year are coming back into focus. Time to put away the proverbial New Year’s lists of resolutions and jump back into the game again.

Before you do, though, as you are heading back on to the field, here’s one more list with some admonitions to keep in mind.

Whether you are resolved to step up your game or start a new one, the items on this list aren’t new or original but they will play a big role in your success:

1.   Get fit – eat healthy, exercise right and get enough sleep.
2.   Show more kindness and respect. It’s not just about you.
3.   Choose to be positive. Don’t listen to the pessimists.
4.   Keep social media in perspective. Each day only has 24 hours.
5.   Search out and cultivate new opportunities. Continually.
6.   Fend off thoughts about the past.  It’s today that counts.
7.   Be the best at what you do.

The only edge you have that really separates you from your competition is you.

Need to step up your game and could use a down-to-earth, experienced coach? Like me to speak to your group? We could chat. I am easily reachable. Text/call 416.450.8867 or email drew@drewsimmie.com