You’re Never too Old to Be a Success
Are you having a mid-life crisis? Are you thinking your best opportunities may have already passed you by or wishing you were younger so you’d still have a shot at the success you’ve always dreamed of?
It’s not too late. Just because you’re approaching the mid-century mark (or even well past it) doesn’t mean you’re too old to be a success and pursue your dreams. While the media loves to share stories of high school and college dropouts who’ve founded internet companies or invented some new must-have gadget, there are plenty of people who belong to their parents’ generation who have been equally successfully pursuing their dreams.
Dreams are not the exclusive province of the young. There is no expiration date on success. For many, their younger years were spent raising families, working in more traditional careers, or pursuing other dreams. You are never too old to be a success, no matter what your age.
Still not convinced? Let me share with you a few of my favorite stories of those who never gave up on their dreams and finally found success later in life.
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6 People Who Proved You are Never too Old to Be a Success
Susan Boyle
I’ve probably watched this video at least 50 times. I keep it bookmarked on my computer for the days when I need a reminder that hard work and perseverance pay off and, if you don’t give up, your dreams can come true. It’s also a good reminder never to underestimate someone (least of all yourself) or the power of their dreams. I have to confess that even after watching this a bazillion times, I still get a little teary watching it. (Yeah, I’m kind of sappy that way.)
Susan Boyle was a quiet, shy 47-year-old church volunteer from a Scottish village when she first appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. She’s now released eight albums.
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder was one of my oldest daughter’s childhood heroes. So much so that she read every book written by or about Laura and her family, and even dressed up as Laura for Halloween one year. The year she graduated from high school we visited Rocky Ridge Farm in Missouri. Laura and her husband Almanzo were farmers, and Laura took a job writing for the Missouri Ruralist to supplement their farm income.. Laura published her first book at 65 and then went on to publish 6 more beloved novels based on her life in the 1800s. To date her books have sold more than 60 million copies in 100 countries around the world.
Julia Child
Who doesn’t love Julia Child? I remember watching her on PBS as a child and being thoroughly entertained though I had really no idea what she was cooking. Following a career in advertising and then working at the OSS during World War II, Julia decided to learn French cooking while living in France and then wrote the definitive French cookbook at age 50. Following its publication, Julia began making appearances to promote her cookbook and launched a career as a celebrity chef.
Frank McCourt
Frank McCourt has been one of my favorite authors since I read Angela’s Ashes years ago. From an impoverished childhood in Ireland, Frank became a schoolteacher in New York City and began his writing career at 65. He went on to win both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Books Critics Circle Award for ‘Angela’s Ashes’.
Grandma Moses
Artist Ann Mary Robertson Moses, much better known as Grandma Moses is one of America’s greatest folk art painters, and though she dabbled in art, starting in her 50s, she didn’t become a professional artist until she was in her mid-70s.
Photo source: {{Information |Source=Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c15888
Claire Cook
Another favorite author is Claire Cook. Hher story of writing her first novel in her minivan at 45 while waiting for her daughter to finish swim practice inspired me. By 50, she not only had a best seller, but her second novel had been made into a major motion picture Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack. She’s since written more than a dozen additional books, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. You can find Claire’s books on Amazon here.
These are just a few of the many success stories of those who have pursued their dreams beyond their younger years, who refused to believe that they were too old to be a success. An internet search would bring you dozens, even hundreds more examples of those who found success later in life.
Are you letting your dreams languish? It’s time to dust them off and start going after what you really want in life. You’re never too old to Be a success, so don’t waste any more time thinking your window of opportunity has passed.
What is your big dream? And how can I help you to achieve it? Share in the comments below.
I love this! I truly believe that age does not matter. I recently read an article where a 104-year-old woman just learned how to read. My big dream was to own my own business and I did accomplish that.
Now, on to figure out what my new goal will be with volunteering in the near future. I want it to be something I’m really passionate about.
I’m kind of in the same place, Lisa. We are starting to look at what we will do in the next phase after my husband completes his corporate career. Too many good years left to just “retire.”
I can’t wait to hear what you find for volunteering. We are currently helping to run an English as a Second Language program, teaching local immigrants and refugees.
Some of these examples really ring true, especially for those who want to embark on a second (or third) career later in life.
I agree, David. Thanks for your comments.