"Over 50 and Still Waiting for the Right Time? Do It Anyway"

Fearless Entrepreneur & Leader: Julia Leckey’s Blog

By Julia Leckey | 28th November 2024

Welcome to the 10th bi-weekly edition of Think. Plan. Do. for Fearless Entrepreneurs & Leaders.

This week’s blog is about pushing past fear, letting go of the myth of “perfect timing,” and embracing the power of reinvention. Midlife isn’t an end—it’s the beginning of your most powerful chapter.

Here’s to fearless leadership and growth!

Julia x

Thinking Fearlessly

THINK ??

"Over 50 and Still Waiting for the Right Time? Do It Anyway"

?I’ve been thinking a lot this week about timing, and if you’re over 50, is the timing too late to reinvent and start something new? People I coach get fearful as they get older and question the timing of starting new things. At any age, you have to grow.

Reinvention isn’t starting over; it’s building on all you’ve achieved. It’s about allowing yourself to stop, THINK. PLAN. DO so you can change, so you can keep GROWING.

The Myth of “The Right Time”

How often do we say, “I’ll start when the timing is right”? Whether it’s launching a project, making a big decision, or prioritising ourselves, we cling to this idea of the perfect moment. It’s a lie.

We often say:

• “I don’t have time for strategy right now.”
• “I’ll focus on my health next quarter.”
• “The market isn’t ready for my idea yet.”
• “I’m too old—it’s too late.”

?The Truth.

The perfect time doesn’t exist. And waiting for it is often just fear in disguise.

Deborah Joseph’s story in The Sunday Times is proof, read here. At 50, standing at the top of the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Bhutan, she realised she was done with burnout, busyness, and constantly chasing the next thing. She handed in her resignation three days later—not because it was the “right time” but because she knew it was time to act.

We aren’t here to coast through life, play it safe, or cling to fear. We’re here to express the highest version of ourselves, to show up fully on life’s stage.

Time Isn’t the Barrier.

• But what if time isn’t the barrier, we think it is?
• What if it’s our perception of time holding us back?

These thoughts feel reasonable, even responsible, but they’re rooted in fear. They trap us in a scarcity mindset where time is always slipping through our fingers.

• But what if time isn’t the barrier we think it is?
• What if it’s flexible, infinite even?

This isn’t about ignoring responsibilities or pretending deadlines don’t exist. It’s about reframing how you view the present moment. Because the only time you truly have is now.

Casestudy:

Take my dad. At 58, he “retired”—but he didn’t stop. He shifted. One chapter ended, and another began. He proved to me that time is a tool, not a limit.

?The truth is, fear often hides behind waiting. We convince ourselves we need more time when what we really need is courage. The truth is, it’s not time we lack—it’s the courage to begin.

?Fear convinces us that tomorrow will be safer or better, but tomorrow is a myth.

?Deborah Joseph knew this when she almost talked herself out of resigning. She described the feeling of holding a burning hot plate. Waiting wouldn’t make it easier; it would only prolong the discomfort. Taking the leap allowed her to step into a life that aligned with her values.

Why Acting Now Matters

The present moment is the only place where action happens. Every decision you’ve made and every possible future you could create converge in the now. Instead of waiting for ideal conditions, realise that every step you take today ripples outward, shaping your future.

Consider these examples:

• The entrepreneur who hesitates to launch because the market isn’t “perfect” misses opportunities to learn, grow, and iterate.
• The leader who delays hard conversations until “the time is right” fosters a culture of avoidance rather than accountability.

?When you embrace the now, you stop waiting for life to happen and start creating it.

?Live in the moment, not on autopilot—your bold moves might just inspire someone else’s big leap. Trust that little steps shape the future, stay present, and let life’s surprises lead to unexpected wins.

?Who knows? Your ripple might just start a wave.

How to reframe and reinvent yourself.

1.?? Love yourself fully as you are.

2.?? Kill your negative thoughts—don’t entertain them.

3.?? Recognise the world as your stage—to demonstrate who you are. This isn’t about age.

4. Let Go of the “Perfect Time” Myth

5. Reframe Time as a Tool. Time isn’t a constraint; it’s a canvas.

A Video to Watch: For more inspiration, watch this brilliant discussion between Dr. Tererai Trent and Elizabeth Gilbert. They talk about the power of dreams, courage, and how to embrace the transformation that comes with action. The next time fear whispers, “It’s not the right time,” ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do right now? Then do it. Not tomorrow. Not later. Now. Watch the video here.

Something to Read:

These books inspire fearless entrepreneurship and purposeful living:

• "The Power of Now" emphasises living in the present and overcoming fear, urging readers to stop waiting and start acting.
• "Die with Zero" highlights the value of experiences over time, inspiring readers to seize opportunities and live fully without regret.
• "Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown encourages vulnerability as a strength, making it ideal for those ready to step out of their comfort zones and embrace reinvention.

These books promote fearless living and the courage to reinvent yourself.

?

?Bringing it Back to My Two Businesses:

Thinking Fearlessly, my coaching business helps leaders awaken their potential, embrace fearless action, and build legacies.

Land of Colourful Creatures: What began with a book has grown into a world of storytelling, bridging personal and universal narratives.

I trust my choices today will ripple outward, shaping and inspiring others—whether through my books, art, or coaching.

Make time for THINKING ??

PLAN ??

I love a Plan.

This week, I’m building a new vision board. My last one everything in my control I have done, I just need to be patient and acknowledge I’ve sown the seeds and need them to grow.

?A vision board is not about waiting for a specific time; it’s about freeing myself from the constraints of time altogether. It’s about setting goals and taking action now that I can control.

?Questions I’m asking myself to build a vision around.

1.??? Who am I?

2.??? Where am I?

3.??? Why am I where I am?

4.??? Where do I want to be in the Future?

5.??? Am I using my life to build the future I want?

Trust that every intentional steps you make today, ?ripples outward and shapes your future. Embrace a fearless attitude: act even when the path isn’t fully clear.

The future isn’t waiting for you—it’s already unfolding. So stop waiting. Start creating.

?I love a good plan ???

DO ??

I’ve been doing lots of doing over the last two weeks as I’m building my vision board, but this week I paused and thought: Am I doing the things that support me as the person I want to BE?

Ask yourself what you are being when you are doing your journey in life. Move yourself from a reaction into a creation.

I want to be:

• A storyteller and creator | So I have to do: write stories each day, every day.
• A great mum | So I do the things my son loves, like making him a boiled egg or giving him a cuddle.
• A fearless coach | So I do the work every day: learn lessons, coach people, and grow as much as I can to help others lift themselves up.
• Healthy and intentional | So I do things like walking my dog each day and eating healthily.

?Question: Am I doing the things that support me as the person I want to BE?

What can you…

THINK??

PLAN ??.

DO ??

This week to power your boat.....

I hope this helps,

Julia x

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Julia Leckey: Parents: Salvation Army officers, Social Worker, Accountant, Headteacher, Artist, entrepreneurs. Studied at Nottingham Trent. WPP as a Director.? Started own business at 31 with a baby; grew to high 7 figures. Sold it. Started new business at 43 with two boys; grew to 7 figures. Sold it. Started Thinking Fearlessly. Started Land of Colourful Creatures.Two cancers. Learned not to let FEAR drive my car.

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