It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: How to Create Your Second Life at Any Age

I've read this book at least 3 times, and I came back to buy a new copy because the one I have is SO worn, underlined, written in, the cover is missing, in short- at times in life- it's been truly a life-line, a friend, and what has taken my hand and pulled me through. The first time I read it I was in my late 20's, feeling direction-less, kicked around, and not at all sure of how to take the reigns in my life. This helped. I read it, I "Talked back" by writing in the margins, I answered the questions at the end of the chapters, and I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I had been focusing much/most of my life, my goals, my plans- on trying to please others, trying to get approval, because of things that happened when I was too young to even see that it was impossible to please those I was trying to please- anyway! I learned that I was working hard for things that I was "supposed" to want- but actually- I didn't really want them. I re-grouped, and spent some time adjusting, and was able to find a new level of comfort and happiness. I did not give up trying to feel pretty, I did not stop wearing makeup (By the way... just making note of earlier reviews) I read the book again, several years later, in my 30's... as I started FREAKING about aging, and this time, I saw that all her quotes by others about aging- where the SAME things I was thinking! PHEW, I was not alone! This is SCARY STUFF!! All these "Oh My GAWD... It's too late to do this, it's too late to do that...Maybe I'll never be a superstar!!!(Oh no, Maybe I don't WANT to be a superstar!)" and this book helped to debunk that... Thank god! And Now, I just finished reading it, because I'm looking for new dreams, now with my children leaving home for college... And I'm sending copies to my siblings and friends. ~~~~~ Buy this book if you are 20, if you are 30, if you are 40,50 or 60. Buy ANY of Barbara Sher's books, She is an Excellent, Educated, Brilliant, Motivational Person, with a LOT to offer- and She does not have that "Anything you dream, you can have" attitude. She's realistic and concrete and sane and rational. A real 5 Star Read!

This book deals so directly and honestly with the issues of changing your life. I can't get over how the author has thought through the desire for change and the challenges of actually making the changes. This book is more meaningful and pertinent than all the coaching books I ever bought before. It was more targeted at mid-life changes than I expected but it has relevant material for people of any age who want to change any aspect of their life in a significant way. Be prepared to be get shaken up as you read and to be real honest with yourself. At age 50 and considering a major change in my work, it was the perfect book for me.

Like a coach's halftime inspiration, I couldn't wait to get started after reading this book. I have liked all of Barbara Sher's books, but this is her crowning work of wisdom. While written for midlife, it speaks to any age and anyone seeking an authentic life. The chapters are funny and full of exercises and questions to break through conventions and assumptions that keep people from listening to their deeper urges. I particularly liked the exercises that helped me relive my childhood loves and desires and to find the core that related to my life today. I liked her discussion of the logic of past mistakes, which create the platform for fashioning the next stage of life.This is not your typical career book. It is for anyone who has heard an inner voice calling them to take a risk and create work and a life that is entirely original. It convinced me it is never too late.

Have you got to 40 and thought your life was over? Well think again. It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now is here to show you that not only is your life *not* over at 40 - it's only just beginning!In this life changing text Barbara Sher teaches us how to ignore social convention, turn our backs on cultural indoctrination and really start living. Did you know that the 'first half' of your life was only a period where you made your mistakes. It certainly wasn't the be all and end all. Bringing into focus once again your dreams, wishes and ambitions, here Ms Sher shows us how we have not yet even started to really live.After reading this book to the end page, I flipped back to the first page and started reading again, it's so profound and a 'different' person finished reading the book than the one who started reading it! I turned 40 this year and this book has changed my life - will it change yours?

I bought this book last year shortly before my own 40th birthday, and have since given it to a number of friends as they reached that milestone - in addition to returning to its pages myself from time to time. It's like having a wise companion standing beside you, urging you on, and helping you to realize how much there still is to do, despite your advanced age. I don't think Sher quotes Mary Oliver in this book, but her book asks the same question Oliver asks in 'The Summer Day': "Tell me, what else should I have done?/Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?/Tell me, what is it you plan to do/ with your one wild and precious life?" Highly recommended.