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When surveyed, entrepreneurs say 29 is the ideal age to start a business. The average age that entrepreneurs actually start a business is 35. They wish they'd started earlier.

There's no perfect age to start living your dreams. Being too young or too old is no excuse. The perfect time to start is right now.

These people did.

Nola Ochs -- the Energizer Student

Most potential entrepreneurs dream of breakthrough businesses all their lives and never get started. On the other hand, those who have listened to their intuition often wish they took the plunge earlier.

Years pass. Nola works full-time on her farm and occasionally drives into town to attend a class. After ten years studying everything from agribusiness to the Bible, she's told that she is one class away from an associate's degree. All she must do is complete college algebra.

1972. Nola Ochs is widowed on her wheat farm in the town of Jetmore, Kansas (population 1000). She tends to her farm with the help of her children. In 1978, she realizes she wants more from life. Age 68, she signs up for a tennis class at the nearest community college.

1993. Cliff Burgess is 55. He's tired of his potbelly and vows to start walking.

With an associate's degree she is pleased but not fulfilled. College algebra will not be the end of her scholarly career. Several years later she decides to make the two- hour trek to Fort Hays State University. Enrolling at age 94, she lacks only 30 class hours to earn a bachelor's degree. In May 2007, at 95, she becomes the world's oldest college graduate.

Is it time to sit back and enjoy the framed diploma on the farmhouse wall? Not yet. She's started a Masters Degree.

Cliff Burgess -- the Marathon Man

Cliff hits the pavement in his suburban Texas town. A walk around the block turns into twice around the block. Walking feels good, but he knows he can pick up some speed. The weight starts to come off as he signs up for 5km and 10km races. In less than a year, he enters in the San Antonio marathon thinking of it as a training run in preparation for his first marathon --42km (26.2 miles). He feels good during the race, and he crosses the finish line faster than expected.

Reaching 100 marathons isn't the final goal. His running gives him an excuse to travel the world to add to his marathon list. He finds himself in Finland, France, Romania, China, Argentina, Brazil, 25 other countries, and nearly all of the 50 states of the USA in a record 15 years.

"Nothing happens unless first we dream." -- Carl Sandburg

Averaging 15 marathons per year, he completes his 100th marathon six years later at the age of 62.

● Make your goal known. Travel one step at a time.

● Keep your dream alive. Long-term goals exist because they take a long time.

At age 70, he's at Marathon #226 and counting. One of his finest highlights is qualifying multiple times for the runner's dream: a bib number in the Boston Marathon. In April 2009, he will travel to Boston, Massachusetts for the fourth time to take part yet again in all the running glory.

● Success and determination are intimate siblings. Talent is merely success's distant cousin.

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