It’s Never Too Late

I’m sure you’ve probably heard the saying: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

It’s a simple yet powerful idea. So often, we hold ourselves back from starting something new because we feel like we’re too late, too old, too busy, too far behind, etc.

But the truth is, waiting for the “perfect” moment often means waiting indefinitely. As we know, life is rarely ideal and the conditions are rarely just right. Progress typically only starts when we decide to move forward and just get started.

A Personal Detour

For example, when I was a teenager, I dropped out of college. Of course, I told myself I’d come back to it eventually… but as we all know, life gets busy.

Initially, I went straight to working full-time with my family in the field of civil engineering. Although the work was steady, it was never very fulfilling for me, and there was always a small, nagging regret in the background.

Years later, I began learning American Sign Language, which completely shifted my path and eventually led to working as a sign language interpreter.

In the years that followed, I found myself supporting students in a variety of educational settings, ranging from kindergarten to college and everything in between.

It was through those classrooms that I discovered how much I enjoyed supporting students. I saw the impact that a supportive learning environment could have, and how students thrived when someone genuinely believed in them.

That experience is one of the reasons I started ASL Basics, to help others experience that same kind of support and encouragement as they learned a new language.

So, I decided to create a space where people could learn in a positive, welcoming environment, one that emphasizes consistency, community, and a growth mindset.

This, of course, solidified to me even more the idea that I wanted to have a career that enabled me to have a greater impact on students.

Choosing to Begin Anyway

So, I decided to go back to college. To be completely honest, it wasn’t the best time to go back.

At this point, I was a husband and a father, working full-time, and had a million reasons to wait. However, I knew that if I didn’t get started then, I’d still be waiting for the “right time.”

Thanks to that decision to just get started, this past weekend I was able to enjoy the experience of attending my college commencement with my family beside me.

I’m not sharing this to say, “look what I did.” Rather, I want to encourage you that it is never too late to get started.

What About You?

If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, whether it’s going back to school, pursuing a dream, or even learning a new language, don’t wait for the perfect circumstances.

Start with what you have.
Start where you are.
Start small if you need to.

Just start.

A Few Questions to Reflect On

• What’s one dream or project you’ve put off because “the timing isn’t right”?

• If you began today, what would the smallest first step look like?

• How might your life look different in five years if you simply kept taking those small steps?

In my upcoming book Intentional Habits: Tiny Changes, Huge Impact, I explore this idea in greater depth—that clarity, consistency, and connection aren’t things you wait for, they’re things you build one small choice at a time. And the best part is, you don’t need the perfect memento to begin. You just need to start.

If this story resonated with you, I’d love to stay connected. Each month I send out a friendly, practical newsletter with simple ideas on learning, growth, and building habits that truly last. And if you ever feel it’s not for you, no worries at all, you can opt out anytime.

Anyways, wherever you are on your journey, whether you’re just considering a new beginning or already taking your first steps, I’m cheering you on. Until next time, take care of yourself, and keep moving forward, one small step at a time.