Is age just a number? A closer look at the timeline of success – what to expect from your 20s to your 60s

When it comes to building a successful career, patience is often the key. Success doesn’t usually happen overnight – it’s a long game that requires persistence, focus and patience. While there are certainly instances of individuals achieving remarkable success at a young age, the reality for many is that success unfolds over time, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.

But there are definitely challenges along the way. One survey from the Transamerica Institute found that more than one-third of employers believed that someone aged 58 was ‘too old’ to hire. In contrast, a 50-year-old startup founder is twice as likely to experience a successful exit compared with a 30-year-old founder.

There’s a lot to unpack here. Whether you’re an employee climbing the corporate ladder or an entrepreneur growing a business, the journey will likely be one of gradual progress, with each decade bringing its own milestones and challenges. That’s what I’m going to break down in this article, and I’ll also demonstrate that while well-known success stories are inspiring, we should be wary of trying to think of our careers in the light of the Zuckerbergs and Musks of this world.

So, let’s get started.

Your 20s: Laying the foundation

Let’s get this out of the way first: Yes, Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook while he was still a student at Harvard, and by the time he was in his early 20s, the company was one of the largest social media platforms. But I believe it’s more helpful to see our 20s as a period of exploration and learning. This is the decade where most people are either completing their education or stepping into the workforce for the first time. It’s a time to build foundational skills, gain experience, and begin to understand the dynamics of the professional world. For some, this might involve hopping between jobs, trying different roles, or even starting a side hustle to test the waters of entrepreneurship.

During this decade, being open to learning and adaptable to change is crucial. Success in your 20s isn’t necessarily about climbing to the top but acquiring the knowledge and experience that will serve as the bedrock for future success. Patience is essential here, as it’s easy to feel like you’re not making progress when, in fact, you’re setting the stage for what’s to come.

Your 30s: Building momentum

By the time he was in his 30s, Elon Musk had already co-founded and sold PayPal. While that kind of meteoric success might be outside the mainstream, for most of us, our 30s are the decade when we’re probably more settled in our career paths, with a clearer idea of goals and ambitions.

This decade is often about building momentum, taking the experience and skills gained in your 20s and beginning to apply them in a more focused and strategic way. Whether you’re working towards a promotion, expanding your business, or even considering a major career shift, your 30s are a time when you’ll start seeing some of the fruits of your earlier efforts.

It’s also a period where the demands on your time and energy can increase. Balancing work with personal responsibilities can be challenging, but staying focused and persistent is key. It’s important to remember that success doesn’t always happen in a straight line – there will be ups and downs, and it may sometimes feel like progress is slow. But this is a decade where perseverance can start to pay off in significant ways.

Your 40s: Hitting your stride

When we think of Oprah Winfrey, we imagine someone who has always been a household name. But she only really hit the big time in her 40s with the launch of her company, Harpo Productions, which put her in control of her popular television show. This marked the point when she moved from TV host to media mogul. More recently, Eric Yuan founded Zoom when he was 41, having left his career at Cisco Systems. (In fact, the average age of a successful founder in the US is mid-40s, according to The Harvard Business Review, with only 6% of entrepreneurs aged between 20 and 30, and 64% at 40 or older.)

So, the 40s are often considered a time when many professionals hit their stride. By now, you’ve likely accumulated a wealth of experience and have a strong network in your industry. This decade is about capitalising on that experience – whether it’s reaching the upper echelons of your field as an employee or scaling your business to new heights as an entrepreneur.

For many, the 40s bring a sense of confidence and mastery, allowing you to take on larger projects, assume leadership roles, or innovate in your business. However, it’s also important to stay adaptable and continue learning. The world is constantly changing, and maintaining success requires the ability to evolve with it.

Your 50s: Reaping the rewards

It’s interesting to note that when we’re talking about finding success in your 50s, we’re talking about two of the largest global brands that have ever existed. Ray Kroc was in his 50s when he bought McDonald’s and turned it into the global fast-food empire we know today; John Pemberton invented the soft drink that is now known as Coca-Cola when he was 54. For a more contemporary example, we might look at Kris Jenner, who was 52 when she pitched the idea for a reality TV show about her family to Hollywood producer Ryan Seacrest. So, there are plenty of people who have original, groundbreaking ideas in their 50s and also – importantly – have the kind of energy to really pursue them.

By your 50s, you may find that you’re reaping the rewards of the hard work and persistence you’ve shown over the previous decades, or perhaps you’re finding a new, unexpected route. Either way, this is a decade where the long game truly starts to pay off, and hopefully you can enjoy the successes you’ve earned.

Your 60s and beyond: Legacy and reflection

Colonel Harland Sanders was 62 when he franchised KFC after years of running a small restaurant. While the 60s and beyond are often seen as a time for reflection and, for some, a transition into retirement, for others, it’s about powering on – it’s hard to imagine a time when 93-year-old Warren Buffet would ever retire. So, hitting this decade doesn’t mean your contributions or potential for success have to end. Many people take their 60s as a time to focus on legacy, whether that’s through mentoring, consulting, or even starting new ventures with the benefit of decades of experience.

For business owners, this might be a time to consider succession planning or to pass on the reins to the next generation. For others, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community or explore new passions and interests. Success in these later decades is often measured not just by professional achievements but by the impact you’ve made and the wisdom you can share.

Conclusion

Throughout these decades, one constant remains: The importance of patience and persistence. Success is rarely instant and often requires years of effort that may sometimes feel fruitless. But with focus, dedication, and a willingness to adapt and grow, success is achievable at any age.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique. There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for success, and comparing your path to others’ can be misleading. Instead, focus on your own goals, trust in the process, and have faith that with patience and persistence your success will come in its own time.