Is it possible to make it big after a certain age?

[ellie]

I always thought if you haven't made it in your early to late twenties - talking about career /business here, your less likey to make a big later in life, do you think that is true?

Or is it possible to make a success of yourself in your later years? If so can you give me an example? I'm thinking more on the lines of rags to riches type stories in your later years.

[Pegasus]

Women millionaires, on average, are older than their male counterparts. The book Millionaire Women Next Door has specific examples which I am unable to give...

[Interpreneur]

You will never know unless you die trying.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by ellie

I always thought if you haven't made it in your early to late twenties - talking about career /business here, your less likey to make a big later in life, do you think that is true?

Or is it possible to make a success of yourself in your later years? If so can you give me an example? I'm thinking more on the lines of rags to riches type stories in your later years.

Col. Harlan Sanders the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken at 65 took his first social security check and hit the road to sell his Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe to prospective franchisees. He did very well and started after he was 65. Age only matters if we think it does.

[Aaron1]

Age doesn’t matter. In fact if you have a few years of life experience you may do better. The important thing is to try, be willing to learn, and be patient because it doesn’t happen overnight.

[OnionJack]

Look up when Ray Kroc bought Mconald's to start franchising from the McDonald's brothers.

[sbdiane]

I think early to late 20s is kind of young for anyone but the most amazingly talented to "make it big", unless you're talking about sports or acting or something like that. It seems to me that most women are hitting their stride in their 30s and 40s and unless they decide to shift their priorities away from career, they only ramp upwards from there, either by rising far in the ranks or by starting their own companies. Well, maybe not most women, but the ones with any proclivities toward success to begin with.

[Doku]

I didn't start my business until I was in my early 30's. My mentor didn't start his until he was in his 60's.

Most of the millionaires that I am friends with didn't make their first million until their 30's or 40's. Many were in debt up to their eyeballs in their 20's and 30's.

So, yes, it is possible to start later in life, and still "make it".

[ellie]

Thanks for all your replies, it's much appreciated.

I guess I just always hear a lot of stories about young entrepenurs and I have thought to myself, maybe you just have it and by late 20's or don't have it all.

So there's hope for us all

[Orange]

I always see myself as not being able to make it becuase im not old enough. people dont trust you.

[JAX]

It's never too late to be what you might have been.
-George Elliot

Everyone lives life at their own pace. You can make it and be a success at any age. You should also be the one who defines what it means to "make it" or be a "success".

[TonyToneTone]

Most men become successful later in life. Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich" says a man's prime is between 40 and 60.

[cardano]

The above posts give great insights. To complement that, take a look at Steve's blog about odds of success in any endeavor: What Are the Odds of Becoming a Black Belt?

My philosophy is playing by the odds is a limiting belief - you're only giving yourself a reason to lose. I'd say go full force and live as you'll achieve your dreams. That mentality will only strengthen your odds of making them a reality

[catalyst]

Yep - you can make it big at any age..

I think as some people get tied down to their mortgage and family responsibilities, they are less likely to take risks or work 80 hour weeks, but if you have the drive - anything is possible.

Sky's the limit!

[dbstraight]

With technology, it's even more likely that you could make it big at a late age. A 90-year old has just as much ability to maintain a personal development blog as Steve does.

[Technicolor Tim]

Originally Posted by dbstraight

With technology, it's even more likely that you could make it big at a late age. A 90-year old has just as much ability to maintain a personal development blog as Steve does.

Um, bloggers DIE from blogging.* A fit and healthy 90-year old could probably maintain an already well established blog. However, if you want to 'make it big' with a blog, you better work at it - and be really outstanding too. I don't see too many 90-year olds who could do that, to be honest.


*I'm thinking of the 'blogging deaths' reported by the news some months ago. I should investigate this further, though, because as everyone knows: the news is the news. However, part of my income comes from doing online stuff, and I can guarantee you that this not only requires a lot of work, but can also quite easily lead to an insanely unhealthy lifestyle. For instance, there's a tendency to stay up VERY late, and then still get up VERY early to check stats etc, for instance. And working from home, you're always at work. And there is ALWAYS something you can do, so you end up working more than you'd do if you just went to an office everyday. Not everyone's like this, of course, but I know that many certainly are. So... I'm not sure I'd recommend this stuff to a ninety year old.

[funchy]

Some people never find the right mix of business opportunity, career, maturity, and choices until they're older.

But the funny thing about getting older: the more mature I got, the less I needed to "make it big" to be happy. Money is fun, but there are plenty of unhappy rich people. It's far more important to find a good outlook and an appreciation for what you do have.

[Idaka]

I love this question. I was just reading Inc Magazine where they profiled business owners under 30. One of the women said, my dad always said if you don't make it by the age of 30 you'll never make it.

Now I am only 26 but I took this quote to heart for a minute. I kept thinking, does that mean I have to dedicate my life to be successful right now so I 'make it' before I'm 30? I have a toddler, and a baby on the way and I am not going to jeopardize their comfortable lives to try and go out and make it big.

But I don't think that means that I will never make it big. I am currently reading "How to Get Rich" by Felix Dennis. Take a look at it if you want some practical advice about being an entrepreneur and 'making it'. In the book he outlines that it's less about the age you start and more about your obsession to be successful!

[htgerman]

Originally Posted by ellie

I always thought if you haven't made it in your early to late twenties - talking about career /business here, your less likey to make a big later in life, do you think that is true?

Or is it possible to make a success of yourself in your later years? If so can you give me an example? I'm thinking more on the lines of rags to riches type stories in your later years.

I really don't think that you need to have made it in your twenties if you want to make it at all. What's age anyway? I think it is all a matter of attitude. I remember a boss I had when living in Australia who, at over 50, had more spark, creativity, enthusiasm and flexibility than his three sons will ever have. And aren't these attributes much more important to success than the year in which you were born?