Stop Using Age as an Excuse
You most likely know of Isaac Newton. You probably learned about him in school and remember the story of how an apple fell on his head.
But let’s pause for a second and appreciate just how extraordinary his achievements really were:
Universal Gravitation: He observed an apple falling and then went on to conceive the law of universal gravitation, explaining the force that governs everything from falling objects to the motion of planets and stars.
Calculus: When confronted with the challenge of explaining the elliptical orbits of planets, Newton found existing mathematics inadequate. His response? He invented an entirely new branch of mathematics – calculus – to solve the problem. He needed a new mathematical tool, so he created it.
He was still in his twenties.
Newton wasn't part of a think tank or a research group. He was a solitary figure, working largely in isolation. Yet, in a period often referred to as his annus mirabilis (year of wonders), this one man fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the universe.
A man his age, by today's standards, might be considered "just starting out" in his career. But he didn't use his youth as an excuse to wait. He used it as fuel to achieve the extraordinary.
The Takeaway for Entrepreneurs
Newton's story isn't just a historical curiosity; it's a blueprint for what's possible when you combine intellect, relentless curiosity, and unwavering self-belief. It's a stark reminder that age is a poor predictor of impact.
Yes, Newton was certainly a lot more intellectually gifted than you or me, but countless other high-IQ geniuses lived rather ordinary lives because they never believed in themselves like Newton did. He never believed in limitations like age or wealth.
If you feel like you’re too young or even too old for business, here is what you need to do:
Don't Wait for Permission: Newton didn't wait for someone to tell him he was ready. He pursued his intellectual passions with fierce independence.
Age is Irrelevant: Newton's most groundbreaking work was done in his youth. Don't let your age (whether you’re young or old) be a barrier to pursuing your ambitions.
Embrace Challenges: When faced with a problem that existing tools couldn't solve, he invented new ones. Challenges are opportunities for innovation.
Self-Belief is Non-Negotiable: Newton clearly had immense confidence in his abilities. Cultivating that same level of self-belief is crucial for any entrepreneur.
If you're harboring a dream, a vision for a startup, or a desire to make a significant impact, don't let self-doubt rooted in your age hold you back. Isaac Newton's astonishing achievements before the age of 26 serve as a powerful testament to the fact that age is not a limitation but a number.
Your potential is not defined by the years you've lived but by the intensity of your focus, the depth of your passion, and the strength of your belief in yourself. So, channel your inner Newton, embrace the challenges ahead, and go build something extraordinary. The world is waiting.