An adage that may be overplayed, overused, and comical but hits the mark with stinging accuracy. On the journey from my hospitality career to construction, the paths that collided and entangled experiences dealt more damaging blows than an over matched MMA fight. I have written this story countless times in my head, as drafts, on social media, deleting multiple versions, and cursing the simple and possibly overused title at each turn. Better late than never, has proved to be the succinct description for the sum of what has been accomplished. I have realized the literal ton of information on writing, publishing, and the ancillary requirements for success depend on so many factors, “my better late than never” mantra may just play right into the game.

The research alone has been an explosion of information that, while offering many helpful tips and tricks, has been a jolt to the senses of myriad offerings that have taken hours and days to sift through. Why not just write and see what happens? Well, there are articles for that. Do proper research and collect critical information based on marketing your offerings, there are hundreds of articles for that as well. I am not the first newbie that has stressed over where to begin, and that, has more than likely stopped many. The plethora of offerings, articles and how-to’s is and has proved to be a virtual encyclopedia. The overwhelming amount of information unless properly dissected is as difficult to prioritize as the writing process itself.

I prefer to describe this journey of better late than never not as a “how to”, but “how did”. Life and the lessons learned are absorbed differently, and therefore the subsequent results for every individual are as varied. Deciding to obtain my BS in Applied Management at age 51 while working full time in a busy construction field was not an easy decision. The possibility of failure, pushing myself for who knows what rewards, and the ever impending F.O.MO. syndrome were all a figurative pile waiting to be stepped in. Having navigated successfully from an industry once described as a “soul f’er”, (use your imagination), to construction and a path towards project management elicits many reactions as I tell the story, mostly creating curiosity and plenty of questions. The story itself can be compared to many versions of what one wants if they apply themselves, overcome obstacles, and make the best of the situation. However, in this case it was the imaginary fork in the road, motivation of not making the same mistake twice, and a general disdain for the quality of life that had become a non-stop pattern. Enough was enough.

Now, maybe I have a reader or two, if any, that look forward to reading this story, maybe this never gets read. Welcome to my juxtaposition, I am writing, but will it be seen, will it be published? The story of why I decided to delve into freelance writing is an integral part of the better late than never saga as well. Could this be a weekly column, a multi-part series? I am still sifting through the hundreds of pages of articles written for, it seems like, me. So will better late than never be a piece that keeps readers interested and give takeaways that motivate and help or become lost in the maze of the Medium interweb world.