What does success look like at different ages? How do dreams, priorities, and circumstances evolve? I interviewed three remarkable women, each representing a different generation: at 20, 44 and 73. Goals, ambitions and fulfillment seemed to be similar, yet shift over time.
Ellen Jones, “El” as she prefers, is a busy 20-year-old junior at Gonzaga University, majoring in Communication and seeking a career in Real Estate. El is on a Debate team and participates in a Student Real Estate Club. She is also active in the New Venture Lab program where students help small enterprises improve their marketing.
Dr. Christina Ryan Rodriguez, age 44, graduated from Claremont and earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. She is the Dean of Enrollment Services at Golden West College in Orange County, California. She works long hours overseeing a staff while raising her son, Caleb James, the delight of her life.
Gaye Kruger is 73, the CEO of a Promotional Marketing agency and a personal development coach, who helps clients move past limiting beliefs to attain the career and life they desire. She is also a trained actress, singer, dancer, and director. After 30 years, Gaye returned to the stage as director, writer and performer in The Divas, which features five genres of music and five decades of women. Gaye has 12 grandchildren and will soon celebrate 29 years of marriage.
The desire of these smart, driven women to be happy and successful was obvious. What was a bit different was the way those desires were defined.
What does living a fulfilling life mean to you and how do you work toward achieving it?
El is concerned about the economy and wants to create a strong support system.
For me, living a fulfilling life means financial freedom. My ultimate goal is to build multiple streams of income. While focusing on finances can be a source of stress, I’d rather face that challenge now than carry it with me. In general, I’ve come to understand that love, friendship and family are not just about shared moments or obligations—they’re about creating an environment of contacts and relationships that empower you to grow, take risks and build the life you want.
Christina recognized that same need for financial stability but also stressed the importance of support, vital to her as a single mother and an academic.
Answering this question feels particularly challenging right now, as I am navigating the intense period following my son’s birth and hospitalization. Returning to work while balancing motherhood has been incredibly demanding, and many days, chaotic. I often feel like I’m teetering on the edge of dropping the ball in either my professional or parental responsibilities.
This experience has profoundly highlighted the critical importance of a strong support system. In my 20’s, I focused on building my career and exploring the world; the value of a close-knit family was less apparent. Today, as a 44-year-old mother with a doctorate and a fulfilling career, my definition of happiness has shifted. It’s no longer about grand ambitions, but rather finding joy in simple moments. Happiness feels simpler. It’s about cherishing the relationships that matter most.
Gaye finds herself in self-reflection—more, all the time.
I was an actor for 25 years, in numerous musicals, tv commercials, tv shows and movies. In my 40’s, I decided to step away from acting and became a successful businesswoman. I told myself it was ok, but I was fooling myself. Now? I feel a reawakening: I have always been a performer.
These amazing women have individual ideas about success and varied challenges. I am nonetheless in awe of how they continue to excel. Are they just lucky? No. It is their self-determination and sense of value that push them forward. They are methodical and focused. They pay little attention to arbitrary timelines. Whether the goal requires 6 days or 6 years, they push that aside and get to work. Once focused, consider it done.
Do you have to be a certain age to take on a stretch goal? Is there an age-limit for some challenges or opportunities? Does the “window of opportunity” ever close?
Our college student seems to thrive when setting and meeting goals. She earned her real estate license before her second year of college. El’s sense of responsibility for her future is impressive!
Christina’s definition of happiness focuses on relationships, too, along with a strong desire for professional growth and accomplishment: I want to continue to learn and evolve. I want to find fulfillment in my career, knowing I make a difference.
Gaye chose to rediscover the passions of her childhood: As a little girl, I was always directing, writing, and performing with my sisters—moments of pure creativity and self-expression. After 30 years, I’m once again writing, directing, and performing. Seeing my sisters in the front row of one of my recent shows, tears in their eyes, overjoyed to see me back on stage was so moving. I realized how much I had missed this part of myself. I’m not just returning to who I was; I’m evolving into a more authentic, elevated version of myself with new tools, skills, wisdom, intuition, and I’m creating the balance of all the things I love.
Balance, Evolving, Authenticity seem to be themes, here. I asked them to respond to this hypothetical: “If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself?”
El: I would like to revisit the question when I’m a little older.
Christina: If I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to get so caught up in the future that you miss the beauty of today. Life is precious; be patient with yourself in the ups and downs of life. Step outside your comfort zone and embrace new experiences; you will be richly rewarded.
Gaye: If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that I didn’t need to be somebody else (to get the guy, to win the part, or to make the sale). I have always been enough. I just need to be myself and to grow. I would coach my younger self to ask more questions and to get more stories from my grandparents. And I would dance more, worry less and enjoy every blessed moment with the people I love.
Wouldn’t these ladies make an intriguing panel interview? Our college student could teach us better ways to set and reach goals. She might be reminded, too, that it’s ok not to have everything figured out just yet. Our 44-year-old might share that life’s richest moments often come from embracing change. She would agree that life is tough but would tell us to get moving anyway. Our 73-year-old could teach us that wisdom stems from the grace with which we continue to evolve, learn and grow.
My thanks to all three for reminding us that life is what we make of it, at every age. After all, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it” (Maya Angelou).
