The School of Greatness - 203 It's Never Too Late

Episode Date: July 17, 2015

"Aim high and set your sights on your dreams." - Lewis Howes If you enjoyed this episode, check out show notes and more at http://lewishowes.com/203.

This is 5-Minute Friday, episode number 203, and it's never too late. Dear Lewis, I'm almost 60 years old. I've spent the last 20 years as a single mom trying to take care of my son. I'm basically starting over in my career, my relationships, and my health. I'm losing starting over in my career, my relationships and my health. I'm 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's too late for me. Can you help? Thank you, Sharon Applegate. To answer your question, Sharon, I believe it's not too late for you,

nor too late for anyone ever. Like my friend Sean Stevenson 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 spend the first half of adulthood as caregivers. Many find their dormant passions emerging after domestic responsibilities are over and discovering 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. Now, 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 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 dreams for all those years. She put her own dreams on hold to care for her family. Perhaps she didn't feel worthy to pursue her dream. There was a rumor floating around that Susan had never even been kissed before. 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 was hardly anyone who hasn't heard of the finance guru Susie 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. And 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, not at all. At the age of 40, she decided to go for a dream and is now one of the most successful and world-renowned designers out there. John Barrymore said, a man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. There are countless stories of people taking their dreams into their own hands at every age and under every circumstance. My good friend Kyle Maynard climbed Mount 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. Paulo Coelho said, people are capable at any time in their lives of doing what they dream of. And C.S. Lewis said, you are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. This is 5-Minute Friday, episode number 203. Thank you so much for joining me today and for listening to these 5-Minute Fridays. We have episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and then 5-Minute Fridays on Friday.

So thank you guys again so much for joining me today. Make sure to share this episode with your friends online by posting lewishowes.com slash 203. I love you guys. You know what time it is. Time to go out there and do something great. Thank you.