If You Were A Late Starter, Here’s How To Catch Up In Your Career

We are regaled and inundated with the success stories of those who experienced a meteoric rise to the top. A young Mark Zuckerberg built Facebook out of his dorm room and became a billionaire tech titan. As an immigrant from South Africa, Elon Musk found himself at the helm of multiple companies, which helped him to become the wealthiest person in the world. Jeff Bezos began his entrepreneurial journey in a suburban garage and turned his online bookstore into the biggest online retailer in history.

Often overlooked in the recounting of these success stories are those who are in ordinary jobs and careers. Being a late bloomer in your career is common, as most people don’t succeed right away. If you could not get on the first rung of the corporate ladder, didn’t get that coveted Wall Street internship or come from a wealthy family with connections, you will likely feel left behind compared to your peers.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair. There is ample time to catch up or even exceed those who got off to a quicker start. A career is like a marathon coupled with a Tough Mudder race. It's long, complex and fraught with obstacles that you must overcome. Time can be on your side. As people live longer, you may be working until your late 60s or even into your 70s, giving you ample time to turn yourself into a winner.

If you put your mind to it, you can compensate for the lost time. Take an inventory of your innate gifts and tap into your passions. Prioritize embracing your unique strengths that set you apart and make you special. Remain patient, build a strong network and be open to learning.

Overcome Societal Pressure

Overcoming societal pressure to achieve early in life involves finding what matters most to you, prioritizing self-discovery, embracing your unique path, setting your own goals, building a strong support system and being patient.

The first step to overcoming societal pressure is to find what matters most to you and where you fit. This is important for a clear direction and purpose in life. Make a list of things you love about yourself to boost your confidence. This list should include positive qualities and strengths not tied to external accomplishment. Instead of defining success solely in terms of external achievements, redefine it to include personal growth, relationships and happiness.

Start becoming aware of when your sense of self-worth plummets based on something that happened or didn't happen. Be cognizant of the negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations. Cultivate unconditional self-worth—the belief that you are worthy simply because you exist, regardless of your achievements or external circumstances. You can achieve self-worth by practicing self-acceptance, self-love and self-care.

Instead of trying to meet societal expectations, set your own goals and priorities based on what matters most to you. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, such as friends, family, mentors and colleagues. They can provide guidance, advice and motivation. Remember that success can come at any age, and it's essential to be patient and not compare yourself to others who may have started their careers or achieved certain milestones earlier.

Examples Of Successful Late Bloomers

• J.K. Rowling was a single mother on welfare before publishing the first Harry Potter book at the age of 32.
• Ray Kroc worked as a milkshake machine salesman before buying McDonald's MCD at the age of 52 and turning it into a global fast-food empire.
• Vera Wang started her career as a figure skater and journalist before becoming a fashion designer at the age of 40.
• Julia Child worked as a copywriter and intelligence officer before publishing her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, at the age of 50.
• Stan Lee worked as a comic book writer and editor for decades before creating some of his most iconic characters, such as Spider-Man and the X-Men, in his 40s.
• Samuel L. Jackson worked as a struggling actor for years before landing his breakout role in Spike Lee’s School Daze at the age of 40.
• Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, opened his first franchise at the age of 62.