The Magic Age for Success

The Magic Age for Success
By Z Zoccolante
(Listen to the audio of this blog in the blue box below!)

When I was a kid I had this idea that by 20, I’d be a movie star and a known author.

As I took steps into my early twenties and those things remained over the horizon, I was left with the sinking feeling of failure. It showed up as a nagging voice harassing me with the goals I hadn’t accomplished.

As time progressed, technology has made it easier for teens to become youtube stars and 22 year olds to form companies worth a pretty penny.

No matter what age, our society today is full of the pressure to be someone or do something. At points along our own journeys’ this can leave us feeling as though we’ve missed the boat or that we’re lagging behind.

The timeline is what causes us stress, the expectation that we must accomplish our dream by the time we’re X years old, or else . . .

Many well-known and influential people didn’t begin their legacies until, what we’d consider, late in life. Zig Ziglar didn’t start his speaking career until his mid forties. Jesus didn’t begin his works till around 30.

Ricky Gervais made his acting debut at age 37 and became known at 40 with the British debut of “The Office.” Samuel L Jackson didn’t get his role in Pulp Fiction till he was 45. Kathy Bates landed her role in Steven King’s “Misery” at age 42. The lovely Judi Dench, at 61 years old starred in GoldenEye. Since then she’s won an Oscar and was nominated for six more. (43 Actors That Became Famous Later in Their Lives)

Dreams don’t have expiration dates, and often dreams that flourish later in life have the benefit of years of our earned wisdom.

Take this inspirational story:

Hearst Castle at the top of the hill in San Simeon, California is a spectacular sight. William Hearst began the castle’s construction when he was 50 years old and devoted the next 28 years to its creation.

The ideas for his dream house probably formed as a young boy when he traveled with his mother for a year and half through Europe.

The architect for his castle was 47-year-old Julia Morgan, the first licensed woman architect in America. It was also rare in 1919 to be a woman architect, as it was a profession dominated by males.

Their creative collaboration remains today as proof that we’re never too old to build our dreams.

Many people, including William Hearst and Julia Morgan, didn’t begin their legacy until almost half of their lives had passed.

Our society today can often feel as though it’s set up for the young or famous, but that’s a lie.

Dreams don’t have expiration dates. As we age, grow, and learn, our particular dream might change, and that’s ok.

Forward Locomotion:

If your heart’s set on a dream, pursue it with all you’ve got. Age brings growth, lessons, and wisdom. Sometimes plans and dreams change, but keep a dream in your heart, however large or small.

There is no time frame or “failure,” for our dreams. As long as we’re moving forward powered by creativity, passion, and love, we’re on the path.

Here’s to your own personal dreams, and watching them flourish!

With Love,
Z :)