27 Jul 2016 | 3 mins
Overview

From Harrison Ford still carpentering in his 30s to Vera Wang using her figure skating failure to become a world-class fashion designer at 40, here are some famous faces that prove you don't have to have it all figured out just yet. 

Whether it’s study, exams, work, eating well, dating, and exercising, us young adults are under constant pressure. And sometimes, when all these things seem too much to manage, the looming fear of failure sets in and our ambitions seem oh so hard to reach. 

Next time you’re feeling inadequate, frazzled, or just plain lazy, you can rest assured that not everyone becomes epically successful when they’re young. Here are a few of my favourite faces that found success later in life.

1. Van Gogh

Maybe Van Gogh is a bit of an extreme example since his paintings weren’t fully understood or celebrated until 60 years after his death. Nevertheless, the fella didn’t start painting until he was 27, eventually going on to paint masterpieces like Irises and Starry Night which weren’t exhibited until he was 36. 

You could be a boss at a hobby you haven't even tried yet! You could find success in something you haven't even considered yet.

2. Harrison Ford

Long before Han Solo was pillaging the galaxy with Luke Skywalker and Chewy, Harrison Ford had all sorts of jobs. He worked as a boy scout guide, a sports commentator, and a carpenter before getting into acting. A self-described “late bloomer”, Ford didn't find success in acting until he was 35 thanks to, of course, Star Wars.

3. Vera Wang

Vera Wang started out as a figure skater but her journey was cut short when she failed to make it to the 1968 Olympics.

She didn't remain defeated, in fact, her failure was fuel, transporting her in becoming a world-class fashion designer. Vera channeled her passion for figure skating into her newfound love for fashion - a lesson we can all learn from. 

She hustled hard, from working as a fashion editor at Vogue for 15 years to becoming the design director of the great Ralph Lauren. She didn’t open her first bridal boutique until she was 40, but now she’s famous for her designs. 

4. Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson initially majored in marine biology at Morehouse College before switching to architecture. Although he'd been acting in small roles and in theatre productions, he didn't nab a major role until he was 40 years old in Do the Right Thing. He was 45 when he became a major star thanks to Pulp Fiction. 

5. Bob Ross

Bob Ross spent 20 years in the US Air Force and would paint to alleviate the stress of his job.

After retiring, he then began hosting his PBS show, The Joy of Painting, and became everyone's favorite painting teacher at the age of 41. 

6. Sylvester Stallone

Before he made his big break with boxing film Rocky, Sylvester Stallone shot a cheap erotic film as a 24-year-old struggling actor... He quoted: “It was either do that movie or rob someone, because I was at the end–at the very end–of my rope.” But he kept at it and at 31, Rocky was a smash hit, and Stallone became a household name.

7. Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison wrote her first novel, "The Bluest Eye," at age 40 while she was working at Random House as an editor. She won her Pulitzer Prize when she was 56, and her Nobel Prize in Literature at 62. 

What Toni Morrison, along with everyone on this list show is, you don't have to have it all figured out. Sometimes doors will be slammed in your face just so the right one can open - one you might never have expected. Not to mention, all your greatest successes won't happen in your youth, and they don't have to! 

It might take a few years to realise the full extent of your aspirations, heck, maybe it'll take an entire lifetime. That's A-okay.