Actor Milton Berle once stated, "If Opportunity doesn't knock... build a door." I believe he meant to make your own way if someone or something doesn't provide an opportunity. When I started out on my career path, I constantly read positive thinking books on success to reinforce that you have to keep plugging away and that, eventually, all those "No's" would lead to a "Yes."
Sitting in traffic each morning on my way to the office, I'd listen to Zig Ziglar or whoever was the current popular guru of success and positive thinking at the time. After a few years of this, I steeled myself to think that all you needed was hard work and preparation. Of course, when I got that promotion or that bonus, many of my co-workers would comment on how lucky I was. Luck had nothing to do with it. Many folks are unwilling to do what it takes to achieve their goals, and then they play the blame game later in life. When in all actuality, they have no one to blame but themselves. Don't allow yourself to fall into this trap!
Recognize Your Small Victories
Realize that you have become the sum of the accumulation of all the actions you've taken over your lifetime. So, sit down, have a calm minute with yourself, and reflect as crooner Frank Sinatra would say... "Regrets, I've had a few..." but don't dwell there. Instead, start thinking of all the wonderful things you've accomplished over your life! And your successes don't have to be measured by something like winning the lottery. So many of us miss recognizing all the small victories we've won during our lifetime. Did you graduate high school or university? Did you marry and have kids? Do you have family and friends that care for you and love you? Keep this list going, and you'll find it's longer than you think.
An attorney I used for personal and business cases over the years met me for breakfast a few years ago. After knowing me for some 30+ years, he paid me an unexpected compliment. He said, "You're one of the most amazing people I know, and I've never witnessed anyone who has had to reinvent themselves time and again in order to attain the success I've watched you achieve." To say I was taken aback is an understatement! This compliment came from a prominent and sophisticated attorney who handled cases for clients worldwide. Unbeknownst to me... someone was watching, and I was making an impression each time we met... at every meeting, I was creating my own positivity toward success.
With all that is happening in the world, you... stay positive! Your persistence and positive mindset are building doors to opportunities you may not even see yet.
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's message about staying positive really hits home for folks approaching retirement or already there. I hear from people all the time who worry they're "too late" to make changes or improve their situation. Here's the good news: whether you're looking at Social Security claiming strategies, Medicare Supplement insurance options, or IRA distribution planning, there's almost always a door you can build.
Take Social Security, for example. A lot of people ask me, "Can I still maximize my Social Security benefits if I'm already 65?" The answer is often yes! Even if you've started benefits, you might be able to use the Social Security Administration's withdrawal option within 12 months, or file a restricted application if you were born before 1954. For 2026, full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year, and delaying benefits until age 70 can increase your monthly payment by up to 32%.
The same positive approach works with Medicare planning. Maybe you picked a Medicare Advantage plan during your initial enrollment period that isn't working out. You can switch during the Annual Open Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, 2026, or use special enrollment periods if you qualify. Your situation isn't set in stone just because you made one choice.
Remember, every small step you take today builds toward a more secure tomorrow. A little preparation now can make a big difference down the road.