Time.
It nags us with the should-a-could-a-would-a of life when it comes to our careers.
Consider this:
Zuckerberg was only 19 when he started Facebook, but Eric Yuan founded Zoom at 41. Who really talks about Eric? He’s 53 now. Smiles a lot.
Bill Gates founded Microsoft at 23, but Vera Wang, figure skater, and journalist, only entered fashion at 40. How many people knew she made three totally different career transitions? She's 73. Still designing.
Clemente del Vecchio inherited the Luxottica fortune and became a billionaire at 18. But Samuel Jackson only had bits-parts until he landed an award-winning role at 43. Bet you thought he had been famous forever!
How often do we step away to look at the career paths of us mere mortals, without Oscars or bank balances that are as long as our phone number?
The people who go back to school at 45, and finally find the job they love. (Nice one Catriona).
Throw in the corporate towel mid-life and set up a yoga retreat on a mountain in Portugal. (Well done, Andrew, we’re going to visit someday).
Or start a marathon career at 90? (Well done David Picksley with your time of 7hrs 16 minutes).
In a world of such beautifully different time zones, why do we even try to compare ourselves to others?
How often do we fall into the trap of expectation and think, I’m too late! I haven't done enough! Am I behind? Am I far enough ahead? It’s relentless.
The next time this thought strikes you, take a look at your watch and think -
Time zones.
Then say to yourself, OK, some people are a good few hours ahead of me right now, and some are a few hours behind, but I’m not too late, or too early.
I’m in my own time zone.
Give yourself a break from the race.
Pass it on. We bet a friend needs to hear it.
Love, The Jolt.