Les Brown on Dreams
As I approach my forties, I want to emphasise that it is never too late to pursue new dreams or set fresh goals. Learning new things is one of the greatest contributions of the digital age.
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
— Les Brown
Les Brown first introduced the line “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” in his 1992 book Live Your Dreams, specifically in Chapter 3, “The Power to Change”. In this passage, he recounts a moment following one of his speeches to a corporate audience. An older gentleman approached him, expressing that he’d already done all his work and had nothing left to contribute. Brown responded with encouragement, affirming that if he were still alive, his purpose was far from over—thus emphasizing that aspirations and growth aren’t limited by age. Since then, the quote has appeared in various motivational compilations, including a 1998 Chicken Soup for the Soul edition, credited to Brown.
As a freelancer, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’ve “missed your chance” or that you should have started earlier, chosen a different niche, or mastered a certain skill years ago. But this quote is a reminder that your timeline is your own. Whether you’ve been freelancing for a decade or you’re pivoting into it after another career, you can continually redefine your services, learn new tools, or target new markets.
The gig economy rewards adaptability, and each fresh goal you set—whether it’s raising your rates, expanding your client base, or launching a passion project—can open doors you didn’t know existed. The key is to stay curious, keep investing in yourself, and remember that it’s never too late to grow your business or reshape your dream.
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