"It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot.

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot.

Often, the regrets we carry are not from the things we attempted and failed at, but from the things we never dared to try. In today’s edition of The Unplugged, we bring you three actionable steps to help you chase that dream that’s been waiting for you. Read on for the method.

CONTEXT

• Andrea Bocelli practiced law until he was 30.

• Harrison Ford worked as a carpenter until he was 30.

• Martha Stewart was a stockbroker at 30.

• Vera Wang designed her first dress at 40.

• Julia Child published her first cookbook at 40.

• Samuel L. Jackson landed his first movie role at 46.

• Morgan Freeman got his first major film role at 52!

The misconception that life follows a straight, unchanging path is widespread. Changing direction can be intimidating, but what if your current path isn’t leading you where you want to go?

“Better to admit you walked through the wrong door than spend your life in the wrong room.” —Unknown.

Here are three practical tips to start your journey:

THE METHOD

1. Find Your Ikigai: Use these four questions to discover your Ikigai, the Japanese concept for your life’s purpose. I shared these steps in a LinkedIn post that went viral and helped me pivot my career after a decade in the tech industry. Despite never envisioning myself as an entrepreneur or social media creator, this exercise led me to a new path within a year.

2. Embark on a "Skill Sprint": Once you have a clearer idea of your direction, commit 30 days to learning a new skill or exploring a potential passion intensively. Enroll in an online course, read books on the topic, and seek out mentors. This approach will quickly provide you with the knowledge and insight to assess whether this new path is right for you.

3. Make a Small Commitment: After gaining some proficiency, set a limited number of attempts to pursue your new interest. For example, Tim Ferriss committed to creating six podcast episodes when he first considered podcasting. This limited commitment lowered the stakes and allowed him to gain valuable experience without overwhelming pressure.

WHY IT WORKS

A friend recently shared this thought with me: "Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until they're 75."

Too many of us wait for the “perfect moment” to start something new, expecting to feel completely ready. The truth is, there is no perfect moment, and you may never feel entirely ready. Someone out there is living the life you want simply because they took the first step.

I’ll leave you with this final thought: “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” — Robin Sharma

It's never too late to reinvent yourself.