“We Get Too Soon Old and Too Late Smart.”
When I was little, my grandfather had a kitschy sign hanging in his kitchen that read: “We get too soon old and too late smart.” I noticed it then, but mainly for the clever language. Now that I’m older—if not old—those simple words were profound. Wisdom shows up, but on its own schedule. And usually later than we’d like.
Why?
Because much of what matters in life can’t be taught—only lived. You can read about patience, but you don’t develop it until life tests you. You can study priorities, but you don’t learn them until you violate them and pay the price. You can talk about gratitude, love, or meaning, but they deepen only after you’ve tasted loss, success, failure—or all three.
Aging doesn’t automatically make us wiser but paying close attention helps.
Is it possible to get “smarter” sooner?
Maybe if we start by accepting that some things can only be known through time. No matter how smart or informed you think you are, experience has the final word.
That requires humility. Easy to say in hindsight, hard to remember when you’re strapped to a rocket and your life and career seem to be climbing straight up. Humility keeps us open—to people, to ideas, to correction. Pride creates a false sense of security.
The next idea is just as tough: slow down. Paradoxically—and it took me years to learn this—you slow down to go faster. And if not faster, at least you will go better.
And above all, keep your sense of wonder alive. I speak and write about this often because it matters deeply—not just for leadership, but for living well. As G.K. Chesterton wrote, “The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.”
When we honor the value of the years—and intentionally mine them for their lessons—we’re less likely to look back decades later and nod at that kitchen-wall truth: too soon old, too late smart.
Mark Sanborn is an international speaker and advisor to leaders and is the Leadership Expert in Residence at High Point University, the Premier Life Skills University which challenges students to “choose to be extraordinary.” For more information about his work or to book him to speech, visit www.marksanborn.com.
