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  • Dream Big After 50 - Lessons from a Timeless Entrepreneur - 045

Dream Big After 50 - Lessons from a Timeless Entrepreneur - 045

Issue - 045

Today’s Features

  • Today’s Feature is the launch of our monthly Success at Any Age series. Meet a dynamic woman you have likely heard of and how her greatest contributions have come after many are considering retirement.

  • In Tech News: a new approach to tackling ALS and Alzheimers, how much exercise researchers found it takes to counteract sitting time, and a new partnership to measure your biological age.

Arianna Huffington: Still Pursuing Big Dreams

In a world that often glorifies youth and early achievement, Arianna Huffington stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those who dare to dream big, regardless of age. Her story is not just one of success, but of resilience, reinvention, and a profound shift in how we define personal and professional fulfillment.

The Rise of a Media Mogul

At 54, already accomplished but far from done, Arianna launched a website that would revolutionize digital media. She co-founded The Huffington Post in 2005. But Arianna's journey to this point was far from smooth.

Born in Greece, Arianna moved to England at 16, mastering English as her third language (behind Greek and French). Her early career was marked by both triumphs and setbacks. At 23, she published her first book, a bestseller. But success is rarely linear, and Arianna's second book faced rejection from 36 publishers before finally making it to print. It's easy to imagine a young Arianna, sitting at her desk, rejection letters piling up, yet persevering with a determination that would define her career.

A Wake-Up Call

Fast forward to 2007. The Huffington Post is a roaring success, but at what cost? Arianna, then 57, collapsed from exhaustion, hitting her head on her desk and breaking her cheekbone. This moment, painful as it was, became a catalyst for change.

"I had to ask myself," Arianna later shared, "is this what success looks like? Working myself to the point of collapse?"

This personal crisis led to a profound realization: success, as traditionally defined, was not enough. It was time to rewrite the rules.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving

At an age when many contemplate retirement, Arianna was just getting started on her most meaningful work yet. In 2016, at 66, she launched Thrive Global, a company dedicated to ending the stress and burnout epidemic.

Arianna doesn’t do things small. She set out to translate her personal epiphany into a global movement. Through Thrive Global, Arianna has been on a mission to redefine success. Her message is that it’s no longer just about money and power, but about well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving. She advocates for simple yet powerful practices:

- Prioritizing sleep (she now gets a solid 8 hours a night)

- Disconnecting from technology (no phones in the bedroom!)

- Taking "micro-steps" toward better habits

- Incorporating mindfulness and gratitude into daily life

These aren't just abstract concepts for Arianna. They're lived experiences, hard-won wisdom from a life of pushing boundaries and learning from setbacks.

Excelling in Your Later Years is On Trend

Creativity and achievement don’t peak in youth. In fact, more recent data show that some of the most transformative work, particularly in science, often comes later in life.

In the early 20th century, many Nobel laureates, particularly in fields like physics, did make groundbreaking discoveries by their 30s. However, this trend has shifted dramatically. Today, the average age for producing Nobel Prize-winning work is closer to 48 in physics, and for many laureates, their best contributions come well into their 50s and beyond. This is due in part to the increasing complexity of knowledge in modern fields, which requires more time to master and innovate upon  .

Arianna Huffington’s story is a perfect example of this shift. Like many Nobel laureates, she tapped into a wealth of experience and accumulated wisdom when she founded Thrive Global at 66, transforming her personal epiphany into a global mission. The same can be said for those in science—people are staying productive and innovative later in life, disproving the old idea that success must come early.

A Role Model for All Ages

Arianna Huffington's journey teaches us that it's never too late to start something new, to pivot, or to redefine what success means to you. Her transition from The Huffington Post to Thrive Global wasn't a step back, but a bold leap forward into a new phase of life and purpose.

As we consider Arianna's example, let's ask ourselves:

- What dreams have we put on hold, thinking we're "too old"?

- How can we redefine success in our own lives to include well-being and fulfillment?

- What "micro-steps" can we take today towards a more balanced, thriving life?

The Possibilities of Our 60s and Beyond

Arianna's story reminds us that our 60s, 70s, and beyond can be some of the most productive and fulfilling years of our lives. With accumulated wisdom, experience, and often more financial stability, these years offer unique opportunities to pursue passion projects, start new ventures, or dedicate ourselves to causes we care about.

So, the next time you think, "I'm too old to start something new," remember Arianna Huffington. Remember the woman who, at 54 and 66, embarked on ventures that would change not just her life, but the lives of millions around the world.

Your best years may very well be ahead of you. The question is, what will you do with them?

Ever wonder where your time vanishes? Enter RescueTime, your digital detective in the quest for productivity.

This clever app silently tracks your device usage, transforming your scattered digital footprints into a crystal-clear map of your day. 

No more guessing games – RescueTime serves up detailed reports that expose your time-wasting culprits and celebrate your moments of laser focus. 

But it's not just about data; this productivity powerhouse is your personal coach, blocking distractions and cheering you on through intense focus sessions.

Whether you're a deadline-juggling freelancer or simply someone who wants to reclaim their hours, RescueTime is your ticket to a more intentional, efficient you.

Click here for 30 quick tips to keep comfort from killing you.

As we wrap up our “Comfort is Killing Us” focus for September, we hope you’ve picked up a few new habits to offset the negative effects of the modern age. Coming next month: we put the spotlight on how to sharpen your focus and cognition, regardless of age.

Be Timeless,

Mary and John

Publishers, AgeBetter.news

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