Never Too Late: What We Can Learn from Simone Biles’ Extraordinary Olympic Journey
A lot of us often fall into the trap of thinking it’s “too late” to pursue our dreams, or we’re “too old” to do something. While this applies to a lot of things in our personal lives, the missed opportunity mentality creeps into much of the professional aspect as well, with many feeling that they have missed the window to accomplish something great, and it is now too late to do so as they are no longer at the start of their careers or professional journeys.
If we’ve learned anything from Simone Biles’ performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s this: it’s never too late, you’re never too old, and the only limits we have are the ones we set for ourselves. After taking some time off to focus on her mental health during the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Simone Biles is leaving Paris with four new Olympic medals to add to her collection. Three of them are gold.
In the spirit of mastering the art of the comeback, we’ll discuss how it’s never too late to accomplish something, the benefits of waiting until the time is right, and ideas for how to set goals and reach them – at any age.
The “Right Time” Myth'
Society gives us a roadmap for an expected path to success, and a lot of the time, this roadmap is led by a strict timeline on achievements and when they “should” happen – whether graduations, job promotions, company growth, etc. I’m here to tell you that the perfect timeline to success is in fact a myth, and everyone is on their own journey to reaching their goals and becoming successful.
There are many people that might have argued that Simone Biles had her chance for glory and missed her prime window of opportunity, according to society’s conventions on our physical capabilities and how they play into athletic success. Yet here she is, four years later, four years older, and with four more medals that solidify her historic place as an Olympic legend.
Simone’s story shows us that we simply can’t live according to society’s timelines and expectations. At the end of the day, there is no “right time” for anything and no one-size-fits-all approach to success. If you’re feeling like it’s too late for you to start that business, go back to school, or pivot career paths, it’s definitely not.
The Benefits of Waiting
While you may roll your eyes at the overused saying, “good things come to those who wait,” this adage may actually hold true when it comes to pursuing goals later in life. With more time passed usually comes more life experience, professional wisdom, resources, connections, stability, maturity, and focus to hone in on what it is you want – and how you’re going to get it.
How many times did you think you wanted something only to realize, with time, that it actually wasn’t what you wanted, or needed, at all? When you give yourself time to fully mature and garner new life experience, you have a better sense of not just what you want, but who you are. Realizing and acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses is a fundamental part of growing up, and using this wisdom can be a superpower when it comes to pursuing both personal and professional goals later on.
Giving yourself time to better understand your personal passions and goals also allows you to focus on the proper mental health and headspace you should be in when pursuing success. So, instead of thinking that it’s too late to start a new journey, perhaps you should switch your perspective and consider that a few years ago, it may have been too early.
Your Goals Are Within Reach
We live in a digital age where anything is possible. At any age, anyone, anywhere, with access to a phone or computer, can change the world and their own lives. If you have a passion you’ve been putting aside or an idea for a business that never came to fruition, don’t beat yourself up and tell yourself that it’s too late to pursue it.
While it’s important to be realistic, it’s also key to dream big and never give up on yourself or your dreams. There are many ways you can get started to deliver impact and make progress on reaching your goals, but here are a few you can start this month, this week, or even today:
Write a newsletter or blog about a topic you’re passionate about.
Expand your digital network and community using social media platforms.
Send a cold email with a pitch for a new idea.
Make a specific plan for the progress you’ll make by the end of the year.
While it’s never too late to get started, there is no such thing as an overnight success. Reaching your goals takes sacrifice, time, and work. Simone Biles didn’t expect to come back as the best in the world – she worked on both her physical and mental health and maintained consistency, even when she wasn’t on society’s expected timeline for glory.
Conclusion
After an inspirational performance at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Simone Biles is going home with four more Olympic medals, but also as a role model who shows us that we’re never too old and it’s never too late to follow your dreams – and be successful while doing it. Whether you think you’ve passed your prime or missed an opportunity, remember that there is no conventional timeline, with time comes greater wisdom and focus, and there is always something you can do to move your goals forward. From one dream chaser to another, I’m rooting for you and your next chapter. Let’s do this.
