33). And whether you start with a small goal or are looking to redefine the second half of your life, pushing yourself to aim higher can fill your days with meaning and revitalize you.Learning, challenge, and motivation are all closely linked and can hugely influence whether you feel energized or bored and fatigued. They also help keep you sharp as you get older by forming new neurons and improving brain cell communication (33). And whether you start with a small goal or are looking to redefine the second half of your life, pushing yourself to aim higher can fill your days with meaning and revitalize you.
Motivation is one of the three major components of mental energy, according to a 2006 study in the journal Nutrition Reviews. The motivation you get from setting and reaching a goal (so satisfying!) can invigorate you long after you’ve accomplished your objective, but the trick is finding one that will energize you and not seem like one more thing to cross off your to-do list. To get inspired, choose a goal that’s related to something you already enjoy. Planning for and anticipating your target may help you look forward to your favorite activities even more. For example, if you love to travel, start saving and making arrangements for a trip. If you enjoy making things with your hands, whether it’s knitted socks or furniture, plan a few special pieces to give as birthday or holiday gifts. Compulsive journalers or letter writers might join a writing group and try to get an essay published or start writing a memoir.
Choosing goals with a social component can also help you maintain a strong network of supportive relationships, which protects you against energy-draining depression as you get older (30). If you can’t wait for your weekly tennis game, set up a neighborhood tournament to raise money for a worthy cause. Like cooking? Start a supper club or take a class to master a new technique.
Regardless of the goal you choose, expecting that you’ll succeed can give you the energy you need to see it through, according to a 2009 study in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Setting high expectations can add extra motivation, and “hope can be a very powerful tool,” notes Jason F. Mathers, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in private practice. After your success, you might even be inspired to attempt a bigger challenge next time!
All of the changes that come in mid to late life, such as an empty nest, retirement, taking care of aging parents, chronic illness, or feeling burned out, can make you feel adrift and listless. Adding purpose to your life can help you navigate these changes with energy to spare. J. Robert Clinton, Ph.D., a professor and author of several books about mentoring and leadership, argues that most people don’t fully understand their calling—or see how their life fits into that calling—until they reach a stage he calls “convergence,” which happens for many people around their fifties. It’s not easy to get to convergence, he warns, but if you’re willing to reach for it, all your past challenges and successes can come together to make this stage of life incredibly rewarding and invigorating.
To help you find purpose, ask yourself what your gifts, values, and passions are. Whom do you admire? How does this season fit into your larger life story? If you had unlimited time and money, what would you do to benefit others? Mulling over these questions can help clarify your calling and reenergize you to follow your heart.
Finding opportunities that line up with your core dreams and values can help you bound out of bed in the morning, eager to face the day. Experts agree that meaningful activities require both effort and using or developing your skills and talents. While work can give you a powerful sense of purpose, volunteering at something near to your heart or pursuing another passion can also bring fulfillment. Think creatively about how you might translate your interests into purpose-filled opportunities. For example, if you get fired up about gardening, offer to start a community garden in your neighborhood or at a local school, or teach a gardening class at a community center. Ask your friends and loved ones for their suggestions as well—the outside perspective can be helpful and encouraging.
