5 Reasons Why Being a Late Bloomer In Your Career Might Be A Good Thing

Have you ever felt like you’re falling behind in your career compared to your peers? Do you sometimes wonder if you’re a late bloomer in your profession? Well, guess what? You’re not alone! Being a late bloomer in your career is more common than you think, and it’s time to embrace your unique journey. 

Let’s define what I mean by “late bloomer”. If you’re someone who did not take a linear path to your career, started working later in life, or didn’t hit certain milestones at the “expected” time, you’re probably what I mean by “late bloomer”. 

Maybe you took some time off to raise a family, had to switch careers, or simply took longer to figure out what you wanted to do. Whatever the reason, it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away (or still). 

Storytime! 

It took me a looooong time to come to terms with that. I started what I thought would be my career (law) in my 30s. I got married at almost 42 and had my twin boys at nearly 44. It felt like I was always playing catch-up with my friends and colleagues. I even felt bad about never making it onto any 30 Under 30 or even 40 Under 40 lists! I know that may seem silly but for a super ambitious and driven person like myself, it meant A LOT! I was surrounded by amazing high-achieving women and felt like I was falling behind. 

After nearly dying and being in a coma after giving birth to my twins (more on that in a future blog), I had to really take some time and re-evaluate my life and change my perspective. When I took the time to truly reflect, I realized that everything happened at the right time. 

✅ Not finding my niche or career in law allowed me to have a lot of different experiences in a multitude of spaces. I now use those experiences to empathize and help my coaching clients.

✅ Getting married later in life gave me the time and space to live a single life, grow as an individual, and eventually truly love myself before fully committing to a life with someone else. 

✅ Having my twins in my 40s means that, while I don’t have nearly the same amount of energy or bounce-back as I had in my 20s and 30s, I have a lot more patience and perspective. 

So, yeah. Things didn’t happen in my time but they happened at the right time. The same is true for you too. Here are some tips on how to embrace and take advantage of being a Late Bloomer.

Embrace Your Own Unique Timeline 🗓️

As the saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” It’s important to focus on your own journey and not compare yourself to others. You never know what struggles someone else may be facing or what their journey looks like behind the scenes. 

Embracing your unique journey also means recognizing that success looks different for everyone. Maybe you’re not a CEO by age 30, but that doesn’t mean you’re not successful. Success can mean different things at different stages of your life. 

Maybe success means having a fulfilling job that allows you to have a good work-life balance, or it means having the flexibility to pursue your passions outside of work. It’s up to you to define what success means to you (and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise). 

Benefits of Being a Late Bloomer in Your Career  🎉

Believe it or not, being a late bloomer in your career can actually have some benefits! 

1. Greater life experience and maturity. You’ve lived a little, and that means you have a better understanding of yourself and what you want out of life. You’ve also probably faced some challenges along the way, and that can give you a sense of resilience and determination that’s hard to come by in those who haven’t had the same life experiences.

2. Time to explore different paths and passions. Maybe you’ve tried a few different jobs, or maybe you took some time off to travel or pursue a creative project. Whatever the case may be, you’ve had the opportunity to try different things and figure out what truly excites you. This can give you a sense of clarity and purpose that’s invaluable in your career. 

3. A more developed skill set. You’ve had time to hone your craft, whether that’s through formal education or real-world experience. This is a huge asset in the workplace, where employers are always looking for employees with experience and developed transferable skills. 

4. A greater sense of clarity and purpose. You’ve had time to reflect on what’s important to you and what you want out of your career. You know what you’re passionate about, and you have a better sense of how you want to make a difference in the world. This can give you a sense of direction and focus that’s hard to come by in those who haven’t taken the time to explore their passions. 

5. A unique perspective or set of skills that set you apart in your field. Maybe you’ve worked in a completely different industry before, or maybe you have a unique background that gives you a fresh perspective on work. Whatever the case may be, having a different perspective can be a huge asset in the workplace. You bring something new and valuable to the table, and that’s something to be proud of! 

Ways to Work With Being a Late Bloomer 💯

I’m not going to lie—it’s not going to all be a bed of roses. But there are ways you can address the challenges and overcome them. 

➡️ Reframe your perspective on success and timelines. You may feel like you’re behind your peers or that you should have achieved more by now. But it’s important to remember that success looks different for everyone, and there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for achieving it. Embrace the journey and remember that it’s never too late to start working towards your goals. 

➡️ Cultivate a growth mindset. This means believing that your abilities and skills can be developed over time with effort and hard work. Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than as signs of failure. Stay curious and open-minded, and be willing to learn from others who may have more experience or different perspectives. 

➡️ Take calculated risks. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. But also, make sure to weigh the pros and cons and make informed decisions. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity and use it to course-correct and adjust your approach as needed. 

➡️ Stay connected to your passion. You may not have found your calling yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore different avenues and see what sparks your interest. Keep an open mind and try new things. Attend events, join clubs or groups, and network with people in fields that interest you. You never know where your passion may lie, and it’s never too late to pursue it.

➡️ Be kind to yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk and comparison to others. But this only sets you back and impedes your progress. Remember that everyone has their own journey, and yours is unique to you. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. One of my favorite sayings is “Talk to yourself as you would talk to your best friend.” You wouldn’t beat down your bestie when they criticize themselves, would you? Nope! You would hype them up and be caring. Do the same for yourself. 

How to Get Started When You’re a Late Bloomer in Your Career 🦾

It can feel daunting to start or change to a new career at any time in your life, especially if you are already feeling like you are “behind the curve”.

Rest assured, you’re not—and everything you need to catch up on is totally possible to learn! Here are some ideas to get started and use your late bloomer status to your advantage.

📌 Leverage your unique perspectives and life experience to identify your passions and interests. You may have taken a different path than your peers, but that means you have a wealth of life experience that can bring a fresh perspective to your work and what you enjoy. What are you passionate about? What are your interests? What kind of work makes you feel fulfilled? 

You want to make sure that the new career you pursue is something that you truly enjoy, or else you risk feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Use your wealth of experience to your advantage and narrow down the things you know you like. 

📌 Embrace personal growth so that you’re not afraid to research (again). Just because you’re a late bloomer doesn’t mean you can’t continue to learn and grow in your career. Once you’ve identified your passions and interests, start researching the field or industry that you want to enter. This will help you understand the job market, required skills, and potential salary ranges. 

Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements, take courses and attend conferences, and seek out mentorship opportunities. You can also reach out to people who are currently working in that field to gain firsthand knowledge and advice. These things will not only help you grow professionally but also personally.

📌 Embrace lifelong learning to continue building your skills and knowledge. If you need to gain new skills or knowledge for your new career, there are many options available. You could take classes, workshops, or certification programs, or you could gain experience through volunteering or internships. 

Be open to feedback, willing to learn, and persistent in your efforts. Remember, you don’t have to be an expert right away, but you do need to show a willingness to learn and grow.

📌 Create a strong resume and cover letter for your life skills and experience. You probably have more life skills and experience than you think you do—and probably much more than the newbie applicant who’s just starting out! Use that to your advantage. 

When you’re ready to apply for jobs, make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the new career you want to pursue. Highlight relevant skills and experiences, and explain why you’re interested in making a change. Make sure your cover letter is specific and personalized to each job application, rather than a generic template. 

📌 Use past connections and networks strategically and build meaningful relationships. You may have developed more connections throughout your working life than your peers who are just beginning to network. And that also doesn’t mean you can’t build meaningful relationships now. 

Attend networking events, connect with people in your industry on social media, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire. Build a network of supporters who can help you achieve your goals. You never know where a job opportunity might come from.

All of That Is To Say…

Remember: your timeline is your own. Your journey is unique, and that’s what makes it special. You have the power to take charge of your career and make it work for you. 

Being a late bloomer doesn’t mean you’re behind; it means you have a different path (and guess what? So does everyone.) 

Take charge of your career, embrace your journey, and use your unique talents and perspectives to make a difference in your field. Keep pushing forward, and let your late bloomer status be your secret weapon for success! 

P.S. Have you signed up for Tyche’s weekly newsletter yet? If not, sign up before April 25th and be entered into a free LinkedIn profile and feedback session with moi! 🙌