Are you familiar with the 80/20 rule? It’s originally known as the Pareto Principle and it basically says that 20% of the input creates 80% of the result. In other words, only 20% of writers will do whatever it takes to become published or become successful in the world of writing. Only 20% of writers will ever see their book come to fruition. They are willing to be criticized, crucified and ridiculed in order to become successful. Unfortunately, many will give up. They will decide they don’t have what it takes or they start to believe the negative feedback.

As I get older, I’m beginning to realize that we live in a world where so many people give up. Truth be told, it makes me sad, because I know if many writers loved themselves enough and believed in themselves even more they could have experienced their dream long ago.

If they stopped listening to the voices around them and in their own heads that said, “You’re a failure. You can’t write a book. Why don’t you get a real job?” they would still be writing.

Many years ago, I worked as a bartender. I was busy cleaning up when Martin Amis popped on the TV above my head. As I washed out some glasses, I turned to the only man at the bar and said, “You see him up there? That’s going to be me someday.”

He looked at me like I had three eyes on my forehead. “You won’t get there. Are you kidding me? You need to be realistic. Aim for something you can actually do. That’s a one in a million shot.”

As with most people that make me angry by telling me I can’t, I let that anger turn into determination.

I did end up becoming a writer, and I’m not even close to being done — I spent 10 years writing for television and film.

I saw a post on Facebook a few weeks ago that really struck a chord with me and I think it will for you, too. It was originally posted by Drew Forrester and it goes something like this:

At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.

At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.

At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer.

At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.

At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare.

At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook.

At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.

At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.

At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs.

Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39 and got her own cooking show at age 51.

Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.

Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.

Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.

Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first movie role until he was 46.

Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52.

Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.

Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.

Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.

Whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t found fame and fortune by the age of 21. It’s okay if you don’t even know what your dream is yet. Even if you’re flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you’ll end up tomorrow.

Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it. Never tell yourself you missed your chance. Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough. You can do it. Whatever it is.

If you want your dreams to materialize, you have to be willing to do what most people won’t. You have to be willing to feel the pain and deal with rejection, even from your closest friends. You just have to. Now go pick up your pen. Go write. Time hasn’t run out. It’s only just begun.