Defying Odds at All Ages

People I meet are often surprised to learn that I’m still a CEO in my 70s.?

They are even more surprised when they learn I’m still a competitive cow cutter!

As you may know from reading my book, I’ve never been one to take the conventional path, and I’m a believer that success can be achieved by anyone at any point in their life.

Here are some other stories that might surprise you, but definitely inspire you:

• Eric Yuan founded Zoom at the age of 41.
• Stan Lee created his first hit comic, "The Fantastic Four," just shy of his 39th birthday.
• Toni Morrison wrote her first novel, "The Bluest Eye," at age 40. She won her Pulitzer Prize when she was 56, and her Nobel Prize in Literature at 62.
• Vera Wang was a figure skater and journalist before entering the fashion industry at age 40.
• Julia Child worked in advertising and media before writing her first cookbook when she was 50, launching her career as a celebrity chef.
• Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, began her prolific painting career at 78.
• Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen at age 48.

And me? I was 60 years old when I went to my first cow cutting show.

While I had my usual overconfidence, I was totally unprepared, and competition was much harder than I thought.

However, I was persistent and put in the practice and work needed to compete.

Now, 14 years since I started, I have won $330,000 in cutting competitions, and have finished in the top five amateur and non-pro riders in the world four times.

Here’s the advice I’d share with people of all ages who think it’s too late to find success:

1. Be open to the wonder of the world and willing to explore emerging paths

I was 52 when I moved to Idaho to be the CEO of AMI Semiconductor. I had a vision of being a cowgirl living in the rugged West, but I hadn’t ridden a horse in more than 30 years!

On a flight back from a business trip I paged through a Cowboys & Indians magazine I had picked up in the airport and saw an advertisement with a picture of a woman sitting triumphantly on a beautiful horse in a gorgeous mountain setting. I thought to myself, There you go. That’s what I want to be.

And the next day I started making calls to see how I could make it happen.

How to apply: If a certain path or idea sounds interesting to you, read books on the topic, watch videos, or simply spend time in the world with eyes wide open to the possibilities.

2. Be willing to commit to the path you want to pursue

I was starting my cowgirl life from scratch. Sure, I had ridden a horse 30 years prior, but I had no idea how to even put a saddle on one!?

So I found a ranch where I could spend a week getting riding lessons and learning everything I could about taking care of a horse.?

This required rare and precious vacation time from work, and then patience and persistence in soaking up all of the lessons while I was at the ranch.

How to apply: Once you identify your dream, keep your commitment. Create an action plan and stick with it, but understand there may be sacrifices needed in order to achieve the results you want.

3. Be flexible with the journey to your destination

My journey to becoming a cowgirl involved multiple horses (it took me some time to find my perfect match), and after some time in the saddle, I discovered different types of Western disciplines I could pursue.?

If I wanted to compete with my horses and elevate my cowgirl status, I could explore reining, cow horse, or cutting. I eventually landed on cow cutting, and the rest is history!?

How to apply: There are almost always roadblocks and detours that come up, so stay light on your toes, embrace the changes that happen, and consider all available opportunities.?

And most importantly: Don't let your age hold you back from pursuing the path you want to take!?

Before you go…

• This Friday, Aug 23, I'm joining author and fellow IBM-Alum Daphne E. Jones in a special LinkedIn Live event, The Only Woman in the Room: How to Find Success When No One Looks Like You. We'd love to have you join us!
• You can learn more about my cow cutting experience (and other life and leadership lessons) in my book, Breaking Through the Silicon Ceiling! You can order individual copies or small batches on Amazon. If you’re buying in bulk for your company or a conference, check out Porchlight for a bulk discount.
• Have you read the book? A review on Amazon goes a long way in helping other readers discover the book. It’s one of the best ways you can continue to support the book! Click here to leave a review.
• The release of the book has brought some exciting requests for me to speak to different organizations! The lessons offer a variety of topics for discussion, and can be modified for a wide array of industries and groups. If you're looking for a keynote for your upcoming conference, or a speaker for a company-wide event, I invite you to explore these presentation topics and reach out!

Wishing you continued success in all that you do!

Christine King

[Thank you Business Insider for sharing details on the inspiring individuals I listed at the beginning of this newsletter!]