I cannot believe that my 31st birthday is right around the corner! It feels like just a few days ago I was in the DR celebrating my Dynamic 30 with my mother and a few friends. Where does the time really go, people? Where!?
This year, I learned a lot about myself. From how I wanted to be treated and the things I want to progress on personally. Tons of business advice has been internalized and I am so ready to watch all of this manifest. I realize that good things come to those who wait (and work), but sometimes it can feel like the things I dream about will never happen.
Nothing wrong with a little motivation! Here are a few well known people who weren’t notably successful until after they turned 30.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Auntie Oprah! Talk show host. Author. Actress. Producer. Philanthropist. Network owner. Unapologetically successful. This isn’t even a pinch of her accomplishments. Although she carries weight of her empire flawlessly, Oprah grinds is unmatched. At 29, Oprah moved to Chicago to be on a low-rated morning talk show that ran for half an hour. After the major boost in popularity and ratings, movie critic Roger Ebert convinced her to host her own show for an hour. The Oprah Winfrey Show first aired in 1986 nationally, when Orpah was 32. At the risk of sounding cliche…the rest is history baby!
“Egotistical, very cynical, no where near my pinnacle. I hope me lovin’ life offended you. You know I ridicule the witches brew and, everything you heard God say about me true.”
First of all. I have to acknowledge the fact that Tauheed Epps does not look 40! Some of you may or may not know that 2 Chainz was formerly in a rap group called Playas Circle (only song I knew was Duffle Bag Boy) for a while before he signed his solo deal at age 35. What I love about him is his ability to capitalize. Not only is he a well known rapper, he has his own restaurant, Escobar Restaurant and Tapas. I so wanted to go to the Trap Salon that he opened when his mixtape, Pretty Girls like Trap Music, came out. I’m not even a fan of trap music…but I love some pretty nails!
“I don’t understand how people live without creating.”
Although he had been acting since the 70s, most people didn’t take notice of Samuel L Jackson until his role in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. He was 41 when that movie aired. I am not even going to attempt to list the number of movies he’s been in but I will say this: He has grossed closed to FIVE BILLION at the box office for any movie he’s starred or co-starred in. Come through, Mr. Jackson!
“Wherever I am, if I’ve got a book with me, I have a place I can go and be happy.”
You know my list would not be complete without a famous author. Harry Potter fans, don’t kill me because I have not read any of these books, but her popularity cannot go unnoticed. The ninth-best-selling fiction author of ALL TIME. ESTIMATED A MINIMUM OF 450 MILLION IN SALES! A MINIMUM. 12 publishers rejected Harry Potter until she finally got a deal in 96. Sis was 31.
“The key is falling in love with something, anything. If your heart’s attached to it, then your mind will be attached to it.”
Although her career as an editor at Vogue started pretty early, Vera didn’t start her own brand until she was 40. A Vera Wang bridal dress is probably one of the most sought after designs when it comes to weddings. The reason I chose to add her to this list is because of her step of faith. Vogue is not some little small independent magazine. I’m sure it was hard for her to walk away from that comfort, however she did and look at her reward.
Everyone’s timeline is different. That’s one of the most amazing things about God to me: He made us all uniquely. Every little thing about me and my journey is specific to me only. There is no early or late when it comes to success and life, but these people have inspired me to keep going for my dreams. Our culture is all about microwave success: quick and easy. I am a firm believer that longevity wins in the end. If we’re going to do it…we’re going to do it right.
So if you feel as if you’ve taken longer than others to get to your dream, please stop comparing your chapter 10 to their chapter 100. Live your life!
Happy recovering!
Write to recover 
Slow and steady wins the race! Great read! I feel as if a mid-life crisis hits people earlier in life now, but it’s because of what our generation has perceived of the previous generations. Thanks for shedding light on those that achieved success later in life also stating that it didn’t come without hard, consistent and dedicated work.
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It definitely hits us earlier, like we feel like we have to be able to retire at 30 and although that’s nice its not very realistic. Thanks for reading!
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