You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream. – C.S. Lewis
What do Colonel Harland Sanders, Ray Kroc, William Amos, Laura Ingles Wilder, and Henry Ford all have in common? These successful people did not achieve the greatest levels of success in their respective lines of work until each was in their forties or beyond.
At the age of 65, Col. Harland Sanders began Kentucky Fried Chicken. Ray Kroc was 52 when he launched out with what we know today as Mc Donalds. At the age of 41, William Amos founded The Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie Company. The Little House on the Prairie was begun by Laura Ingles Wilder when she was 65. The Model T Ford rolled out when Henry Ford was 45 and by the time the first car assembly line was created Ford was 60.
Last week an American hero was honored as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the flight of Friendship 7 that carried John Glenn on his historic orbit of the earth at the age of 41. Glenn told CNN, “It seems to me like it was about a week or so ago, because I guess I’ve recalled it quite often over the past 50 years and kept it fresh. It was such an impressive things at the time that it’s indelibly imprinted on my memory and I can recall those days very vividly.”
In a culture that focuses so much on young entrepreneurs who are making their mark on the world, it is refreshing to be reminded of those who make significant contributions at mid-life. There is no escaping the worldwide impact of the likes of Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Chad Hurley (Youtube), or Matt Mullenweg (Word Press). Their talents and creativity speak for themselves and their success is rightfully noted.
Whether your breakthrough moment comes at age 25 or 65, here are three simple reminders to encourage you to aim high, never give up, and not allow age to hold you back.
Dreams do not come with expiration dates. Some products you purchase come with a “best used by” label. Your dreams do not come with a “best fulfilled by” expiration date. As you commit yourself to the hard work of achieving your dreams then age is not an obstacle.
At the age of 70 some might be looking back in quiet reflection. For Golda Meir it was the age of her greatest challenge when she came out of retirement and was elected Prime Minister of Israel. Her life of service to her country and others is a testament to the power of keeping your dreams alive and serving causes greater than self. Living out your dream and living your purpose knows no expiration.
Failures are the forerunners to success. At the age of 67, Thomas Edison suffered a major setback when his lab burned to the ground. Much of his work went up in flames. Despite the devastation, three weeks later Edison delivered his first phonograph.
John Maxwell said, “All great achievers are given multiple reasons to believe they are failures. But in spite of that, they persevere.” On the journey to fulfilling your destiny and reaching your goals, you will face multiple challenges and failures. Regardless of these obstacles take pride that you keep such good company. Keep pressing on.
The game is not over at halftime. In his widely acclaimed book, Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance, Bob Buford shares timely wisdom for the second half of life. In finding your one thing or passion as a leader, Buford says, “It is discovering what’s true about yourself, rather than overlaying someone else’s truth on you or injecting someone else’s goals onto your personality.”
Many of the great success profiled here came from individuals who emerged from their personal halftime to accomplish greater things in their second half than they achieved in their first. Danish philosopher SØren Kierkegaard said, “The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do…to find the idea for which I can live and die.” Have you found that one thing?
Taking flight at mid-life is a time of great accomplishment and discovery. Satisfaction at mid-life comes in knowing your dreams are still within reach, failures are not final and that the second half awaits you.
If you are at mid-life take heart and buckle up; the second half is going to be a fun ride!
© 2012 Doug Dickerson
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