The gun lap is the last lap of any race in which a pistol is fired as the racer in the first place completes the penultimate lap. This immediately causes a surge in adrenaline, and even though the racer is more pain than most people can imagine, he or she immediately picks up the pace and goes for a strong finish. It is also a signal to all the other runners that if they are to make progress and win a place, they need to move into sprint mode inasmuch as the finish (end) is near, clearly that success in any race, or in any endeavour, at any age or stage, and certainly in life itself, it is all about how one finishes.
The concept of applying the gun lap to life is a simple, logical one. As we approaches new faces in life (e.g., a milestone birthday, retirement, or any dramatic change), we all come to grips with the reality of both the closing of one chapter and the opening of another, and we all must face the challenges of change, even our own mortality. The Gun Lap is a metaphor that there is a an end, whether it's in sight or many miles (years , decades) down the road. It's our wake-up call that reminds us life's only regret are typically related to the things we didn't do or didn't try to do.
Obviously, work on new goals, new ambitions, and new personal goals can be exhausting. When you feel like stopping, think about why you started and revisit your initial goals. Accomplishing even the smallest objectives can be empowering, exciting, exhilarating, and hugely satisfying.
If you accept that too late comes too soon and convince yourself that for some activities there might not be next time nor a second chance, you will stop putting things off and energetically put things on! As the saying goes "It is not the years in your life that counts. It is the life in your years." The gun lap makes us realise again and again minutes are more important that money, and we need to spend them wisely.
You might conclude that racing in the gun lap is likened to a second chance and ask the proverbial question, "What's so important about a second chance?" The answer is simple: Everything! Second chances, trying new activities and seeking ventures and adventures force us to learn new things, to master new skills, to focus on new goals, and to move forward in our life's journey. After all, trying something new or retrying something you've not done in a while, writes a new and exciting chapter in your life's book.
Don't be distracted by age. Age is truly just a number. Don't let it define you. Be positive. Zig Ziglar said, "It's your attitude not your aptitude that determines your altitude."
Age is an artificial barrier that too many people use to put limitations on their brain. When one considers the massive list of achievements done by individuals who ignore their age and focused on achieving, producing, and creating, you should be motivated and inspired to do the same in your life.
To put it in another way, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Whether it's taking up a new hobby, committing to a personal bucket list item, revitalizing a relationship, reinvigorating an old vocation, recalibrating one's life, finally taking that dream vacation, or starting a new career, fulfilling lives are those that keep moving forward, keep dreaming, and intently (and intentionally) focus on an ongoing commitment to productivity, progress and achievement.
The search for your individual life purpose is vital. The realization, then achievement, of that purpose is called fulfilment. My single favourite saying is "the most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you found out why." Call it your why or your purpose, it's the very same thing.
As Andre Maurols said, "Growing old is no more than a bad habit which a busy man has no time to form." The real achievers in life understand it's not how old you are but, more importantly, how you are old."
Acknowledging and respecting all the gun lap represent will lead you to be goal-oriented, focused and productive and revitalize your life with yet another new purpose.
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