During my second year in drama school, my classmates and I dove into the works of William Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, and Henrik Ibsen. Each playwright offered a unique worldview, transporting us from a dreary Danish castle to a Mississippi Delta farmhouse.
These writers, who overcame immense odds, inspired me as much as their stories. But one stood out: Eugene Ionesco. His bizarre, often infuriating plays left me dazed after rehearsals. Yet, I grew to love his humor, audacity, and originality. Above all, I admired that this award-winning playwright, author of 34 plays performed worldwide, didn't write his first until nearly 40.
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Much of our stress, particularly in the U.S., stems from a toxic relationship with time. It bullies us into surrendering dreams that don't fit conventional timelines. As someone who's spent nearly a third of my life acting and building an entrepreneurial career, I know firsthand: you're never too old to start a job you love.
Here are three lessons I've learned—far more valuable than any Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
1. Admit you have less time.
In summer 2013, I volunteered as a teacher in Chintsa Village, South Africa. Afterward, driving to Port Elizabeth, I tuned the radio amid static. Suddenly, a preacher's voice boomed: "Take my house. Take my car. Take all my money. But please, don't take my time! I can't replace it!" The signal vanished, but the message stuck.
Back home, I treated time as my most precious investment. I cut projects without growth, meaningful connections, or fulfillment. I distanced from chronic critics and focused fiercely. Time was finite currency—I invested it wisely.
2. Understand the value of patience.
Years ago, my cousin left Seoul for Paris to study film, backed by family support. His mother's death from cancer shattered him, revealing filmmaking wasn't his true passion.
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With his aunt's loan, he toured Korea, mastering regional cuisines. At nearly 50, he launched a wildly successful restaurant chain—affordable, student-friendly meals that exploded in popularity. Starting late gave him clarity: while others sprinted, he ran a marathon, honing his vision patiently.
3. Work smarter, not harder.
Social media glorifies nonstop 'hustle' and 'grind.' Hard work matters, but without self-awareness, it exhausts you.
In my acting obsession, I neglected family, relationships, and self-care, choosing isolation over community. Then, a mentor flipped my mindset. Commuting daily from Connecticut to Manhattan by subway—rain, shine, or snow—he auditioned, taught, and trained for 10 hours. He'd left a stable job for this late pivot.
He reminded me life exceeds one role on Law & Order. Wanting success without needing it freed me, boosting bookings. Contentment amid ambition isn't complacency—it's balance.
Our 15-year gap proved age doesn't demand a small life. Approach every project like day one. In 2014, at nearly 50, he landed a series regular on a hit TV show.
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Life's too rich for small ambitions. No matter your age, chase dreams with fresh eyes—drawn from my theater roots, global travels, and entrepreneurial path.
