Many of us who are 55+ are still waiting; and plenty of younger people are waiting too. Waiting for inspiration, motivation, money, freedom, permission, or time. The problem? These excuses will continue hanging around until you get into focused action. And with people living longer, healthier, and more active lives than ever before, waiting only delays the impact you could be making right now.
Activate Your Inner “Can Do” Leader
Clarity. Yes, we all love to wait until we’re “clear” about what we want to do. News flash: you already know. Most people 55+ have ideas that have been tapping them on the shoulder for years; and those of you who are younger also know what you want to do. But, to make something happen, you must develop a better relationship with uncertainty and take small steps forward. Clarity grows through action, not contemplation.
Action Creates Motivation. Waiting and waiting and waiting some more won’t change anything … except maybe your excuses. The key: you already know the general direction you want to go. Writing a book. Creating a time‑saving invention. Designing a new app. Redesigning your home or backyard. Getting promoted. Launching a consulting practice. The list goes on and on. Take action. Neuroscience shows that even tiny steps forward create momentum and confidence.
Create a 10‑Word Goal. Anything longer becomes word soup. It’s meaningless and camouflages what you really want to accomplish. These ten words focus clarity and commitment.
Do Your Homework. If you want an investor, a new job, or a promotion, you must learn how to brag about what you’ve already accomplished. Get Your Brag On! will guide you in how to pitch your achievements with confidence and credibility, a skill many 55+ (and younger) professionals underestimate but desperately need.
Build a Team. Yes, you will need a team. They may help once, or they may help you full time. Have conversations and build the support you need. And stop using these excuses as reasons why you cannot start.
Solutions to your excuses. If your excuse is that you need to:
- Crunch financial numbers, instead hire a bookkeeper.
- Create a website, instead hire a technology expert.
- Edit your book, instead hire an editor and coach to guide you.
Hire a teacher for anything you don’t know or don’t understand. DIY is not a badge of honor when the project fails because you were unwilling or unable to ask for help.
Move Past the “I’m Bored” Stage. Every project has a lull. This is the point where many people stop and never return. This is where dreams quietly die, but not entirely. They keep hanging around, tapping you on the shoulder and whispering in your ear until they get tired of waiting. Hire a coach. Do the work. Every step taken moves you closer to achieving your goal.
Celebrate Every Step with a “Yes! I Did it!” Every task, celebrate with a “Yea!” You get the idea: stop being so hard on yourself and celebrate along the way. Celebration reinforces progress and keeps your brain engaged. Read Get Your Brag On! for ideas to keep you in motion moving forward.
Waiting for the “right moment” only creates more waiting. Your ideas don’t disappear. They simply linger, nudge, and whisper until you finally take that first step. Focused action, especially small steps, is what brings your legacy to life.
© Jeannette Seibly 2026 All Rights Reserved
Jeannette Seibly is a Leadership Results Coach, Talent Advisor, and Business Author with 33 years of experience activating greatness in leaders and companies. She delivers practical coaching and solutions that elevate performance today, build legacies that stand the test of time, and support people in empowering themselves to lead with clarity and impact.
If you’re ready to stop postponing your dreams and start moving forward with clarity and confidence, contact me. I’ll help you get into focused action now and build the legacy you’ve been wishing for and talking about for far too long.