It’s Never Too Late

The School of Greatness

• Episode: It’s Never Too Late
• Website: The School of Greatness
• Feed URL: http://lewishowes.com/feed/podcast/
• Duration: 00:06:14
• Published: 2015-07-17 09:22

Dear Lewis, I am almost 60.  I have spent the last 20 years as a single mom trying to take care of my son. I am basically starting over in my career, my relationships and my health (I am losing about 60 pounds.) Is it possible to do a podcast focusing on older people who have created a new life they would never change ? When I hear your podcasts, I start to think sometimes that it is too late for me. Can you help? Thank you, Sharon Applegate To answer your question, Sharon, I believe it is not too late for you--not too late for anyone, ever. Like my friend Sean Stephenson says, “If you have a heartbeat, there’s still time for your dreams.” It is a myth that dreams are only accomplished in our youth. Especially for women, who traditionally spent the first half of adulthood as caregivers, many find their dormant passions emerging after domestic responsibilities are over and discover their true calling later in life. It may seem ridiculous for me to say this with any authority at my age, but I want to share some stories that will show you why I say with conviction that you can achieve your dreams at any age. You may remember that one of the most-watched YouTube videos and underdog stories of 2009 was an English woman named Susan Boyle. Susan was 48-years old when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent and people were amazed that she had never sung professionally before.  Her story of childhood bullying, working in a kitchen, and caring for her parents after graduating touched the hearts of listeners around the world. She had always wanted to pursue music but her obligations to her family had kept her closer to home. After Susan made it to the final round of Britain's Got Talent in 2009, she signed a record deal and had the largest ever sales debut for a female artist, eventually breaking global sales records -- all in her late 40s. Imagine the fears Susan Boyle needed to overcome to step out in front of the world on that stage when she had been hiding her dream for all of those years. She put her own dreams on hold to care for her family. Perhaps she didn’t feel worthy of pursuing her dream. There was a rumor floating around that Susan had never yet been kissed! Luckily for the world, she didn’t keep her voice all to herself because her singing is equally as inspiring as her story. One of the most influential businesswomen in America, Mary Kay Ash, didn’t start her famous cosmetics company until after the age of 45. Before then she sold books and home goods door to door. Her advice was, “Don’t let the negatives of life control you. Rise above them. Use them as your stepping stones to go higher than you ever dreamed possible.” There is hardly anyone who hasn’t heard of the finance guru, Suze Orman. She was actually a waitress before she turned 30. Now she is a best-selling author and motivational speaker who has helped countless people take charge of their financial lives. Most people don’t know that famous dress designer Vera Wang was once an Olympic hopeful in figure skating. When that dream didn’t work out, she became an editor at Vogue magazine and then was later passed over for the editor-in-chief position. She didn’t let her setbacks stop her. No, at the age of 40 she decided to go for her dream and is now one of the most successful and world-renowned designers out there. A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. ~John Barrymore There are countless stories of people taking their dreams into their own hands at every age and under every circumstance. Kyle Maynard climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with no arms or legs, 60-year old Diane Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida after failing four times before, Laura Wilder wrote Little House on the Prairie after she was 60. If they can do it, so can you. Aim high and set your sights on your dreams. You owe it to yourself and to the world. We can’t wait to see what you create. Paolo Coelho said,