"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail, I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult.... I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking." - Og Mandino

We recently witnessed the Olympic Games in Athens, which were closely followed by the Paralympics, where we were inspired by the athletes' displays of greatness and achievement. Most of these magnificent athletes epitomise youth, and we realise that this success often begins at a very early age. We hear of athletes beginning their training only a few years after learning to walk, and about superstars who have been working towards Olympic glory their entire lives.

This theme of success being achieved by individuals who started young is not only found in sport. We have entrepreneurs like Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Mark Shuttleworth, who all launched their respective roads to business success at relatively young ages. Does all success in life require an early start? If so, does this mean that many have lost their opportunity?

Not according to a man named Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds. I recently read that he launched the first branch of McDonalds in 1955 when he was 52. Mr Kroc, who until then, had achieved modest success and was plagued with poor health, decided to muster enough courage to get his newest idea off the ground. Kroc lived to see his iconic brand, which is instantly recognisable to young and old alike, spread all over the planet. Next to “Coca Cola”, the “McDonalds” brand is now the second most recognisable in the world. Here was a man at a late stage of his career, creating and realising a dream which became a global business empire. The story of Ray Kroc should serve as encouragement to everyone out there. It is never too late in life to make an impact, and that if you dare to dream, then age and time is no obstacle. Age should not be used as an excuse for not achieving what you want in life. And yes, I believe that it is possible to teach new tricks to older dogs.

The road to achieving your dreams won’t be an easy one, and you can expect many challenges and obstacles along the way. Especially in these early years of the 21st Century - many people are experiencing feelings of discontent and discomfort in the workplace. This may be due to downsizing, budget limitations, transformation and stagnation in many workplaces. These feelings and conditions won’t necessarily go away, either. I predict that how work is performed will remain in a constant state of reinvention and change. Technology, e-commerce, globalisation and transformation will continue to drive this change.

The good news, though, is that I also get a sense of a strong rise in the entrepreneurial spirit of people, and believe that entrepreneurship will be the defining trend of this decade. Now is a great time to become your own boss – to take advantage of the changes in the workplace and the economy and pursue those dreams of owning your own business.

The challenge is to avoid mental obstacles and barriers. “Don’t be so idealistic”, “It’s not wise to be so daring” and “What if you fail”, are the words that will challenge your resolve. Be careful – even if they are not trying to, other people may deflate your dreams.

Like Ray Kroc, we need to create our own dreams and our own opportunities, not just in business, but in every area of our lives. These big dreams keep us engaged with life’s endless opportunities and possibilities, so that we don’t succumb to the easy temptation of old habits, fears and frustrations. These great goals are important in our careers, and vital in our lives.

Remember, we only get one life, make the most of this life NOW!

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