You're not a star at 30? It's fine,really!
Before you headstart on this piece, have a look at the picture above. This is a handwritten note by an 8-year-old boy named Michael. He grew up to be Michael Phelps, arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time. At the age of 28, Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history. That is 20 years of sheer grit (perseverance and passion for long-term goals) till he reached a state of flow (being able to do something so well that it's effortless)
By the standard of professional athletics, it's a tremendous amount of effort over a long period, almost reaching the end of professional sporting life. A man with extraordinary talent spent his entire sporting life to be the greatest he could be. But he did achieve success pretty early, at the age of 15.
There are numerous examples of people being successful in their 20s and early 30s these days. Plenty. It's surely inspiring, ain't it? These successful men and women ably prove that success has got nothing to do with age.
In today's Ferrari lane of life (fast, furious, and ferocious) every eyelid bat changes the world forever. Hence success needs to be in your pocket faster. If you're not a TED speaker by 32, there's something wrong with your life. Right?
Many of us live worrying success has passed us by. Every day that passes, we worry we’ll die old without having accomplished anything of value. It’s not a good feeling at all, obviously, but the good news is it’s pretty irrational.
Age Cannot Stop You From Flourishing Unless You Want To.
Most people know Ray Kroc as the legendary McD’s “founder,” however, what they don’t know is that Kroc didn’t purchase the burger and shake franchise until he was 52. Wouldn't you define the man as a legendary success, still?
Samuel Jackson didn't score his first big role, in Jungle Fever (1991), until he was 43. And he didn't secure his most famous role, as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction (1994), until he turned 46.
Success is your obsession waiting to be materialized. In simple words, it's your goalpost you're waiting to reach. Whatever it may be. Yes, age doesn't define whether you will be successful or not. It's true either way. Success at 45 is as valuable as success at 30. What matters is a success. Being where you should be. Not being there just when you want it.
Just remember the WHY and keep going!
We all have our vision of success we want to achieve. It's something very personal to us. Every day of your life, as you take care of your food and sleep, every day as you define your agenda for deliberate practice, every day as you remind yourself of the visualization you had last night, tighten your shoelaces and walk life as a marathon. There's a long way to go and many bridges to cross. Just remember why you started in the first place.
The key is to do the best you can and be remembered for not only what you did but why you did it. The time is NOW.
HR Leader with rich experience across Automobile, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy and Media space
4 年Very well conveyed Manasi
Business Head | HP WW Studio | Digital Marketing Expert
4 年Amazing article Manasi. I’ve always known you to tell the time without building the clock & this extremely succinct well-written piece is yet another example. I too have always regarded Perseverance as one of the biggest virtues one can have!!! I also feel in the ‘chase’ for success, one must prepare for the surround sound to not get lost in the cacophony that comes with it. We all know of people, both in our personal lives & otherwise, who lost their way in the blindness of this chase only to regret it later!! Being successful means a sort of self awakening to be able to see your path, not come and park yourself in a destination! It also means extending yourself by lighting a lantern for others to show the way! Personally for me success means to align my life to the Universe - Create a discipline around whatever I want to achieve ( help with the world’s deep needs); work inwards & outwards; read to open up my mind to how the world is viewed by other people and most importantly spread love, hope, courage & confidence - ‘coz no one has enough!!! Doing this day in & out really helps me create a reservoir of success for myself & others!