In a world filled with motivational entrepreneur and lifestyle accounts, it’s easy to think we’ll all become wealthy by our mid-twenties. However, reality often tells a different story, and a dose of reality can be beneficial:
- At the age of 23, Tina Fey was employed at a YMCA.
- Oprah was dismissed from her first job in reporting at 23.
- Stephen King worked as a janitor and lived in a trailer when he was 24.
- Vincent Van Gogh attempted missionary work and later enrolled in art school at 27.
- J.K. Rowling was a single parent struggling with suicidal thoughts on welfare at 28.
- Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips was flipping burgers at age 28.
- Harrison Ford was a carpenter at 30.
- Martha Stewart was working as a stockbroker at 30.
- Ang Lee was a stay-at-home dad doing various jobs at 37.
- Julia Child published her first cookbook at 39 and launched her cooking show at 51.
- Vera Wang designed her first dress at 40 after not making the Olympic figure skating team and missing out on the Editor-in-Chief role at Vogue.
- Stan Lee didn’t create his first major comic book until he was 40.
- Alan Rickman chose to pursue acting at 42, leaving behind graphic design.
- Samuel L. Jackson didn’t land his first film role until 46.
- Morgan Freeman got his first major film role at 52.
- Kathryn Bigelow achieved global recognition with The Hurt Locker at 57.
- Grandma Moses began her painting career at 76.
- Louise Bourgeois became a renowned artist at 78.
Regardless of your aspirations, it’s never too late to pursue them. Don’t consider yourself a failure for not achieving fame or wealth by 21. It’s perfectly normal if you’re still figuring out your goals. Even if you’re working a job that seems mundane today, your future can hold unexpected opportunities.
Never convince yourself that you are too old to succeed.
Never believe you have missed your opportunity.
Never think you don’t have what it takes.
You can achieve your goals, whatever they may be!