There's a lot of comments here and on quora supporting the idea that you can be successful at anytime in life. However, I think that by your late 20's you should be well on your way to developing a formidable skill set for achievement in your field of choice.
From what I've observed, success is often a step function and emerges after a critical mass of preparation has already been done. For those persons being quoted as 'making it' in their 30's, 40's and above, there was in almost every case important learning experiences being built in their 20's.
So if you're in your 20s and haven't 'made it' yet, don't be concerned that your time has passed by, but sure as hell don't rest on your laurels. This is the decade of your life when greatness is forged.
People change fields all the time. I personally love diving into an area where I have no expertise. My father goofed off until he was 35 (at which time he was driving a cab in Des Moines) and went on to build/sell companies. I was working minimum wage in a bookstore at 25 and feel like I went on to do okay. I know-- the plural of anecdote is not "data", but still-- I've met lots of people with similar stories.
Success comes from giving a fuck + talent/wisdom (mostly the former). It might take folks a long time to find their muse (whether it's money, fame, or building something they love).
Quote from Jessica Livingston:
"I wish now that I’d started a startup in my twenties instead of wasting those years in a series of boring corporate jobs. But the idea never occurred to me."
I wonder if you think Jessica built a "formidable skill set for achievement" in her boring corporate jobs that prepared her to be an author or a partner in a seed-stage software fund/incubator? My experience with great founders is that they spend more time doing stuff that they've NEVER done before than doing stuff that they've practiced for years.
> This is the decade of your life when greatness is forged.
As is any other decade in your life.
It's not like the years 0 to 19 didn't build the foundation of your intellect, and you certainly don't stop developing (sometimes essential) new skills when you turn 30.
It's not like the years 0 to 19 didn't build the foundation of your intellect, and you certainly don't stop developing (sometimes essential) new skills when you turn 30.
Serious question: do you really think that was the previous comment's claim?
It certainly was implied, though my statement was really more directed at a certain cult of youth in the Valley where they really do seem to think that people suddenly can't build cool things anymore when they're older than 25. But to answer your question: yes, I do believe "the 20s are where greatness is forged" is a misleading claim.
I don't think it was a constructive response. No, the original post was not literally true.
But I don't think many people would deny that one's 20's are a key decade. In fact, if I had to pick a most important decade, that would be it. In your 20's, you're expected to start a career, and to do something valuable for society. You're going to meet the people who, 20 years later, will be willing to work with you because "I've known him for decades." 20-somethings have more energy than older people, but more direction than younger people.
Nobody seriously thinks people "suddenly" can't build cool things at a particular age. But I know very few people who would think that someone's intellectual output or energy keeps growing past their 20's. Of course, very few people expect a 25-year-old to be as wise or well-connected as a 45-year-old; if I were betting on who would start a better law firm or hedge fund, I'd bet on the older guy.
I disagree with everything you said, including the offhanded remark about the constructiveness of my response. As far as being constructive goes, I clearly laid out what I believe without attacking anyone, which is more than I can say about your question "Serious question: do you really think that was the previous comment's claim?" that I perceive as a mock inquiry despite the disclaimer of being serious.
Between so many aspects I'd like to focus specifically on what I perceive to be the core issue where you state:
> "But I know very few people who would think that someone's intellectual output or energy keeps growing past their 20's."
Let's not even try to discuss how many people we think are on either side of this. Let's instead talk about what we personally believe. And in this context I assert that it's very sad and indicative of a huge waste if a person's output doesn't increase meaningfully with increasing age, after all of the experience that should have gone along with it. It also sounds like there is a pseudo-biological assumption here that the brain basically goes into standby mode after you a person goes through their twenties; I don't believe that's true.
I don't think we're going to come to a consensus about this.
On the other hand building a skillset is not necessarily what people think. It's also what you gain when you're not paying attention to "building a skillset" or making it big.
For example I have met few good software engineers that are also good at design or marketing - but those few rare gems out there are fuckin' awesome individuals.
sure as hell don't rest on your laurels
IMHO, some rest is precisely what many of us need.
I think this is a great comment. (but downvoted). Even if you are not successful at 30. You should be building knowledge, experience, connections or whatever is going to be the basis of success when you are older.
From what I've observed, success is often a step function and emerges after a critical mass of preparation has already been done. For those persons being quoted as 'making it' in their 30's, 40's and above, there was in almost every case important learning experiences being built in their 20's.
So if you're in your 20s and haven't 'made it' yet, don't be concerned that your time has passed by, but sure as hell don't rest on your laurels. This is the decade of your life when greatness is forged.