Late Bloomers

352 pages, 2019

Rich Karlgaard

Takeaways

Description

A one-time software publisher, Karlgaard is now the editorial director of Forbes magazine. Late Bloomers is a groundbreaking exploration of how finding a path late in life can be an advantage to long-term achievement and happiness. We live in a society where kids and parents are obsessed with early achievement, from getting perfect scores on SATs to getting into Ivy League colleges to landing an amazing job at Google or Facebook--or even better, creating a start-up with the potential to be the next Google or Facebook or Uber.

We see software coders become millionaires or billionaires before the age of thirty and feel we are failing if we are not one of them. Yet the fact is, most people--most of us--do not explode out of the gates in life. We have to discover our passions and talents and gifts. That was true for author Rich Karlgaard who, although he had a mediocre academic career at Stanford (he got in by chance), went on to build two software companies that became publicly traded companies before he sold them both, and then created Forbes magazine from scratch.

Embrace Your Own Pace

In Late Bloomers, Rich Karlgaard encourages us to embrace our own pace of development. He argues that society's obsession with early achievement can be harmful and that many of us hit our stride later in life. So, don't stress if you're not a 'whiz kid', your time to shine may just be around the corner.

The Power of Persistence

Karlgaard emphasizes the importance of persistence. He shares stories of individuals who found success later in life, showing that it's never too late to achieve your dreams. So, keep going, even when the going gets tough. You never know what you might achieve.

Redefining Success

Late Bloomers invites us to redefine what success means. It's not always about being the fastest or the youngest to achieve something. Sometimes, it's about the journey, the learning, and the growth that comes with time. So, take a look at your own definition of success, it might need a little tweaking.

The Value of Experience

Experience is a valuable asset, according to Karlgaard. He suggests that those who bloom later often have a wealth of experience to draw from, which can lead to greater success. So, don't discount your experiences, they could be your secret weapon.

The Importance of Resilience

In his book, Karlgaard highlights the importance of resilience. Life is full of ups and downs, but it's how we bounce back from these challenges that truly defines us. So, next time you face a setback, remember, it's just another opportunity to grow and bloom.

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Quotes 3

Late Bloomers is a profoundly important book. It will immeasurably and happily improve the lives of millions of kids, parents, baby boomers—just about all of us.

Daniel H. Pink - Bestselling Author

Late Bloomers is a magnificent antidote to our society’s obsession with early achievement. It will relieve a ton of unnecessary stress and will inspire a wonderful exploration of unexpected paths to meaningful lives.

Tom Peters - Management Guru

Late Bloomers is a profoundly important book that announces a powerful and liberating truth: we are living longer, we should all embrace the glorious reality of life’s abundant second half.