Don't talk yourself old.
Derek Springett
Chief Executive Officer at Harbour and Associates Management Services (Pty) Ltd
As most of you know, I have hundreds of meetings a year with people from all walks of life.
One thing that repeats and repeats:
"I'm nearly 60 y'know! I need to slow down."
Most of them are aged between 55 to 65. And most of them look about the same age as me.
I always laugh, say something like "Shame, I feel so sorry for you. Age is a terrible thing, isn't it?" Then I tell them my age.
Why do they look so old? Because they think so old!
My belief is that thinking old is one of the quickest ways of growing old. And thinking young is one of the best ways of staying young.
I was 74 when we sold our house and became nomads. We've moved every year since.
We could have stayed in our house doing the same old, same old.
But instead, can you imagine how colourful I lives have been?
Come on guys (it's invariably guys), get a grip. You are in the prime of your life. If you're fed up with what you're doing, do something else.
But don't quit.