Social networking sites have been game changers since their advent. They have made it convenient for people to connect with their friends, stay updated about world events, and build a community of like-minded people.
Despite the numerous benefits of social media, it has 2 major drawbacks that adversely affect our lives. Firstly, many of us have become addicted to these social platforms and keep scrolling through our screens mindlessly. We waste so much of our precious time without even realizing it. Secondly, looking at the achievements of others on social media sometimes lowers our self-esteem.
Learning about the accomplishments of others often makes many adults regret not following their dreams. Sometimes they even wish they can go back in time and work harder on their goals. Reversing time is beyond our control; however, making the most of the time we still have is within our control. Thus, never feel bad that you have lost the opportunity and time to be successful. You can fulfill your goals at any point in your life, just as the following quote suggests:
It’s never too late to be what you might have been.
Where Does the Quote Come from?
The quote is widely attributed to the famous British novelist Mary Ann Evans, who went under a pseudonym as George Eliot. The quote is not found in any of Evan’s poems, novels, or letters to verify its attribution to her.
A similar match of this quote is found in the screenplay of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, written by Eric Roth and released in 2008. The film is based on the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald by the same name.
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit; stop whenever you want…….”
Who Was George Eliot?
George Eliot was a pen name used by Mary Anne Evans, a prominent English writer, poet, translator, and journalist. Mary Anne was fond of reading and learning new concepts from an early age. Her father observed her intelligence and decided to invest in her daughter’s education despite the orthodox convention of not spending much on women’s education.
Evans’s father, Robert Evans, was a local mill owner. Due to his important role in the estate, Evans was allowed to go to the Library of Aubrey Hall. She spent considerable time enriching her knowledge by reading and studying the works of different authors. In 1851, she was appointed as an assistant editor at The Westminster Review, where she shared her views on society and modern ideas under her real name.
In 1857, at 37 years, Evan’s work ‘The Sad Fortunes of the Reverend Amos Barton‘ was published in Blackwood’s Magazine under the name “George Eliot.” Evans could have published her fictional work under her own name, like other female novelists of her time. However, she used a man’s name so the audience doesn’t consider her writing a stereotypical women’s work, which often revolved around romance or other lighthearted subjects of that era. Evans also wanted people to judge her fictional work separately and not based on her previous works as a critic, editor, and translator. She wrote a total of 7 novels under the name George Eliot. Her fictional work is famous for its realism, detailed description of the countryside, and psychological insights.
What is the Meaning of the Quote?
The rigid standards of society have conditioned us to believe that there is a suitable age for doing everything. Generally, society expects us to graduate by the age of 22, get a well-paying job at 23 years, buy a house when we turn 30, and then get married by 32. Many people often give up on their dreams in order to shape their life according to the expectations of those around them. They fear they will be labeled a failure if they do not follow society’s generic widely accepted idea of success.
For this reason, many people attach their goals with a deadline of a specific age. For instance, we are eager to find and monetize our passion in our 20s. Similarly, the idea of exploring different careers or switching jobs in the 40s is often called preposterous or a careless act by many. Because of this thinking, many individuals abandon the idea of chasing their dreams because they believe they have missed their opportunity. As long as you are alive, never think it’s too late to do what you always wanted.
Your dreams require hard work and dedication to become a reality. Hence, never feel hopeless that you have lost your chance to fulfill your goals. You can transform your life and achieve anything whenever you want. Taking action at the ‘Right time’ is one of the biggest hoaxes we fall for. Because of this misconception, many people think they have lost their chance, and there is nothing they can do for themselves.
Always remember that there is no such thing as the right time to take action. All you require to become successful is the courage to take chances, hard work, and unwavering determination to keep going till you achieve all your goals.
The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.
Antione de Saint-Exupery
5 Ways To Cultivate a Right Mindset For Success
Success is a sweet fruit that every one of us wants to savor in life. However, success doesn’t come by simply wishing for it. It is a product of hard work, patience, consistency, and discipline. It also requires a positive and strong mindset to accomplish all your goals.
A negative, lazy, or complaining mindset is detrimental to success. Hence, if you want to fulfill your dreams, you must develop the right mentality. The following are 5 ways to train your mind to reach new heights of success.
1. Have Faith in Yourself
Believing in yourself is the first step to achieving your goals. The idea of stepping out of your comfort zone, taking chances, and putting in the hard work might make you uncomfortable. Your mind will paint scary images of failure and force you to believe that your goals are impossible to achieve. However, trusting yourself is the best way to crush all such fears and leap towards success.
The following quote is a pleasant reminder to restore faith in yourself and keep working towards your goals.
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
2. Be Mindful of Your Time
Time is one of the most precious and limited resources we humans have. Therefore, we should know how and where we spend our time. Successful people never waste their time on things and people that do not bring value to their lives. Hence, hold yourself accountable for how and where you use your time. Doing so will make you avoid wasting it on useless activities.
3. Create a Step-By-Step Plan
Having goals is essential in life as it gives us clarity about what we want and how we can get it. But dreams without actions are like having a car without fuel; you won’t be able to get anywhere with either of them. Therefore, create a proper plan, outlining every step to guide you to accomplish all your objectives.
4. Connect with Goal-Oriented People
Your friendships play an important role in influencing your thoughts and actions. Spending time with people who talk only about having fun will never motivate you to prioritize your goals. Instead, such a company will weaken your determination and make you miss out on your dreams. In comparison, people who are committed to learning, growth, and success always inspire us to unleash our potential and become unstoppable in pursuit of success.
5. Don’t be Afraid Of Failure
The fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons why many of us forget about our dreams. The idea of failing, despite putting in our efforts, is quite disappointing for us. Many people quit working if they fail in their endeavors.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
Thomas A. Edison
Remind yourself that failure is not a bad thing. Many famous entrepreneurs, writers, and celebrities failed miserably before they became successful. Yet, they remained dedicated to their aims and never gave up to finally achieve the success they had always dreamed of.