As a child, life is simple and full of endless possibilities. Dreams and goals are set based off of rampant imaginations not yet tainted by reality. With aging and adulthood, it becomes harder to dream. Knowledge gained through life experiences and opinions from family and peers build upon each other. We learn what we ARE “supposed to be and do” and also what we ARE NOT “supposed to be and do”. Those dreams that seemed reachable as children are set just a little too high and we suddenly aren’t quite good enough. Many settle for mediocrity because of these self-limiting beliefs and doubt. The truth is, as said by George Eliot, “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” Just imagine what your six-year-old self would be saying to you right now. Probably something along the lines of “Stop being a silly sally and go put on your princess crown and fireman boots and lets go save the world!”.

Shed that negative thought process and bring yourself back to your childhood. There are NO boundaries to what you can accomplish if you let go of those beliefs. The great thing about doing it now as an adult is that you can actually make your dreams your reality. As adults, we have wisdom, knowledge and experience that we lacked as children. Now you can be unstoppable!

In the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the main character Benjamin Button was diagnosed at birth with several aging conditions that would cause him to age backwards through his lifetime. At one point he reflects on a collection of life lessons that he learned.  “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit; stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”


Michele Yeomans, one of my coaching clients, is living proof that it is never too late to do what you were born to do. On a recent Facebook post she writes, “As of today, I am saying good-bye to a 30 year career in accounting, and taking a completely new path to pursue – a full time career in speaking, writing and coaching,” said Yeomans. “I am truly, truly grateful for everything that my accounting career has given to me, for without it, I would not be the person I am today.”

Michele has joined the ranks of famous entrepreneurs, actors and artists that were late bloomers in finding their passion and reaching success. Here are 5 household names that got surprisingly got their start later in life.

1. Colonel Sanders, owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken, launched his business at age 65 with his first social security check as start up funds. Prior to his death, KFC’s growth skyrocketed with over 6,000 location and sales of more than    $2 billion.
2. Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor in every sense of the word, trying to make ends meat with odd jobs. It wasn’t until the famous screenplay Rocky, which Stallone wrote and starred in, won at the Oscar’s at the age of 30 that he got his big break.
3. Martha Stewart, before she was the Martha Stewart we all know her as today, she was a stockbroker. In her 30’s, after restoring a farmhouse with her husband, she decided on a career change. Beginning with a catering business out of her home that led to writing cookbooks and eventually an appearance on Oprah, Stewart became a billionaire with the launch of Martha Stewart Living, all after the age of 30.
4. Julia Child started out as a copywriter for local publications until age 29. Then during World War II, she moved into United States Office of Strategic Services, which was the predecessor to the CIA. After the war at age 36, she and her husband moved to Paris and she fell in love with cooking at the famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. Now known as a famous television personality and author with her books and cooking show, Julia didn’t even learn to cook until she was almost 40.
5. Harrison Ford became a self-taught carpenter in his 30s to help take care of his wife and kids between minor acting roles. It was not until age 35 when he landed the role as Hans Solo in Star Wars that his career really took off. His perseverance in following his passion lead him to his big break at a time when many would think it was too late to do anything with their lives.

You too can start over at any age or at any point in your life! There is never going to be a “perfect” time. If you sit around and wait for that to come along, you may be waiting forever. Gain the courage to do what Michele and many others like her have done. Set a goal for yourself, find your passion and go in the direction you have always wanted. Take action to make it happen! Be a part of the DREAM TEAM!

Shine ON!!

Keri

Speaker and Author Michele Yeomans is on a mission to teach people how to master the power within. She does this by empowering people to trust themselves, change their perspective and learn, so they can evolve. Check her out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MicheleYeomans.

© 2012 Inspired Living, LLC

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Keri Murphy and the Inspired Living team is on a mission to empower people to use their unique talents in a way that allows them to Dream, Live and BE all that is possible through speaking, coaching, celebrity interviews and original on-line content. Get Inspired at inspiredliving.tv