I'm sure you've seen those posts littering your social media newsfeed. The posts that tell you how Oprah, one of the most iconic faces on TV, endured a rough childhood and was declared "unfit for TV" in the early days of her career, or how Walt Disney was initially fired from a newspaper because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas", or even how tech genius Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard University and subsequently failed at his first business venture. You probably just scrolled past these posts and deemed them silly or too far fetched to relate to your life. However, in my opinion, these are some of the most powerful posts I've seen.
By college, you are already placed in a peg. You moved up to the big leagues and you already know what sports, hobbies, and skills you have and how they compare to your peers. You may think that it's too late for big changes at this point. You may be discouraged and unwilling to attempt something new. You may keep on a path that you feel comfortable with, but not excited about. However, these celebrity success stories and many others prove it is never too late.
If you have already passed the main educational milestones, there are still many ways that you can improve yourself. Right out of college my focus was solely on my job and proving to my boss that I was a hard worker who could produce consistent, high quality work. It didn't take long for me to become stagnant and unfulfilled. Until recently, I felt I was too old to branch out and learn new skills or broaden my horizons. Below are a few ways I've learned to break out of my rut:
Non-credit classes- If going back to school or achieving an advance degree (Masters, Phd, MBA, etc) seems too far out of your reach, whether it is the cost or the time commitment, non-credit classes are a great way to bridge that gap. Check your local college or university to see the variety of classes they offer. Most are only 5 weeks long and may be offered online for added convenience. These classes range from fun hobbies, like scrapbooking, to more serious subjects like managerial accounting. You can pick and choose these piecemeal depending on your lifestyle and interests.
Groupon (or any other deal based site)- If finances are an issue, Groupon offers a multitude of affordable deals to help you discover a new passion. This is a fantastic way to experience something different for a relatively inexpensive fee. I've found yoga studios, cooking classes, and rock climbing gyms all within 10 miles of my home. Some activities you may want to continue (i.e. rock climbing) and some you may find that you are still not a fan of (i.e. cooking, - blah!).
Neighborhood Forums- Many communities are now creating neighborhood forums that make it even easier to discover a nearby group or club that has similar interests to you. If you are new to an area, this is definitely your best bet and will help you learn what your community offers! It has the additional benefit of being a very cost efficient option!
Just remember, it is never too late. Go out there and learn.
