Why “Too Young” Is the Weakest Excuse You Can Make

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Does your age really define what you can or cannot do?

Some people seem to think so. They believe being “too young” means they are not ready yet. That they should wait. Wait to dream big. Wait to take risks. Wait to start building something meaningful.

If you believe this, let me ask: who told you that? And why do you believe them?

I got my first job when I was 14. Not because I had to. Not because life forced me. I wasn’t desperate for money. I wasn’t even sure how I’d use my salary. I just wanted to start. Simple as that. I wanted to begin my professional journey, and I didn’t care what people thought about my age.

I’m not saying everyone should do the same. Starting early is not the point here. The point is: I didn’t let my age decide for me.

Elaine Mead once wrote about how it’s never too early to talk about careers with children. The sooner you start these conversations, the sooner kids can build their own ideas, ask better questions, and explore what excites them. Dreams need space to grow. The big ones even more so.

And when it’s time to make serious academic or career decisions, those early reflections make all the difference.

So why do so many people still think they have to wait? Waiting for the “right” age. Waiting for permission. Waiting for some invisible sign that now, finally, they are old enough.

Enough of this nonsense. The right time is when you decide it is.

You own your future. Not your parents. Not your school. Not your boss. Just you. I know this might be hard to accept. But if you keep ignoring it, you’ll fall behind. Time won’t wait for you.

Katie Burke shared 15 great career tips for people in their early twenties. But let me tell you, those tips are not about age. They’re about mindset. They apply to you even if you’re younger. I don’t care about the number. The principles are universal.

Here are some of them, simple and true:

• Find companies that match your dreams.

• Learn to accept feedback, especially the negative ones.

• Surround yourself with people who challenge you.

• Never stop learning.

• Know your weaknesses and grow past them.

• Let your results speak louder than your words.

• Learn to sell — ideas, projects, yourself.

• Focus on results, not just recognition.

• Take control of your career. Don’t wait for a manager to guide you.

• Set clear goals and chase them daily.

• Embrace challenges.

• Use your social skills well.

• Be ready for things to go wrong. Keep going anyway.

• Don’t expect quick rewards. Be patient, but relentless.

• Try new things, even the “crazy” ones.

If you think your age is stopping you, you’re giving it power it doesn’t have. Stop doing that.

You can’t expect to change the world if you don’t start by changing yourself. You are not “too young” to build your career, your skills, your dreams.

Your career has one owner.

That owner is you.