Quando você decidiu que estava velho para conquistar seus sonhos? | Carol Gattaz | TEDxBeloHorizonte

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Carol Gattaz reflects on her journey as a volleyball player, revealing how she almost gave up on her dreams at 28 after being cut from the Brazilian Olympic team. Despite the odds, she pushed past societal expectations about age and achieved her goal at 40. Gattaz highlights the importance of perseverance and challenges the belief that age limits potential. She encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles, and to use experience as a strength in both sports and the workforce.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pursuing your dreams is not limited by age, and age should not be an obstacle to achieving your goals.
• 😀 At 28, Carol Gattaz thought her dream of competing in the Olympics was too late due to her age, but she defied that belief.
• 😀 The sports world often views athletes over 30 as nearing the end of their careers, but this mindset can be challenged.
• 😀 Age does not necessarily limit performance. With experience and wisdom, older athletes can still perform at a high level.
• 😀 Carol Gattaz’s story shows that persistence and pushing beyond perceived limits can lead to success, even at age 40.
• 😀 There is societal prejudice against older workers, with many businesses seeing older age as a disadvantage, despite research suggesting otherwise.
• 😀 Research shows that older workers have higher rates of successful startups and bring valuable knowledge and experience to the table.
• 😀 The experience gained over time can be leveraged to improve efficiency and performance, both in sports and in the corporate world.
• 😀 Mixed-age teams in the workplace have been shown to be more productive, as the younger members bring energy and the older members bring expertise.
• 😀 Carol Gattaz reached her Olympic dream at age 40, demonstrating that age can be a source of strength rather than a barrier.
• 😀 Carol encourages others to pursue their dreams, regardless of age, and challenges them to set goals they once thought were out of reach.

Q & A

What made Carol Gattaz feel that it was too late to pursue her dreams at the age of 28?

Carol Gattaz felt that it was too late to pursue her dreams when she was 28 because she had been cut from the Brazilian national Olympic volleyball team for the second time. At the time, 28 seemed like a considerable age for a volleyball player, especially with the fierce competition from more experienced athletes.

How did Carol Gattaz respond to her first Olympic cut in 2004?

When Carol Gattaz was cut from the national team in 2004, she was upset but not overly distraught. She understood that the team had more experienced players who deserved the spots. She accepted the decision, believing that her time would come and that she still had potential as a young player.

What led Carol Gattaz to push herself harder before the 2008 Olympics?

After being cut in 2004, Carol Gattaz dedicated herself to intense training, playing with several teams, and winning numerous championships. She aimed to improve her skills and prove herself as a rising volleyball star in the years leading up to the 2008 Olympics.

What was Carol Gattaz’s reaction when she was not selected for the 2008 Olympics despite her hard work?

Carol was devastated when she was not selected for the 2008 Olympics, as she had put in a lot of effort and thought her dream of competing at the Olympics was within reach. However, she was still happy for her teammates, who won the gold medal in the first Olympic win for Brazilian women's volleyball.

How did Carol Gattaz overcome the thought that she was 'too old' to continue pursuing her dreams?

Carol realized that age should not be seen as a barrier to achieving her dreams. She embraced the idea that experience, knowledge, and perseverance are just as valuable as youthful energy. She used her age as a source of strength rather than a limitation.

What data did Carol Gattaz present to show that age is not a barrier to success in volleyball?

Carol Gattaz shared data from the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation showing that there are several players over 40 years old in the Super League, and some international volleyball teams also have athletes beyond the age of 40. This data challenges the notion that age limits athletic performance.

How does Carol Gattaz compare the challenges older workers face to those of older athletes?

Carol compared the prejudice older workers face in the corporate world to the challenges older athletes face in sports. Both are often seen as less efficient or past their prime. However, Carol points out that experience and expertise can lead to greater success, even in older age.

What did the Harvard research reveal about older workers in the corporate world?

The Harvard research revealed that over 60% of companies view older workers as a disadvantage in the market. This reflects a societal prejudice that older workers should be replaced by younger, supposedly more efficient employees.

What does Carol Gattaz suggest about the relationship between age and productivity?

Carol Gattaz emphasizes that there is no direct relationship between aging and loss of productivity. In fact, older workers often possess more knowledge and expertise, which are valuable assets in any field. Age should not be a determining factor in assessing productivity.

What challenge does Carol Gattaz propose to the audience at the end of her speech?

Carol Gattaz challenges the audience to reflect on something they have always wanted to achieve but gave up on due to their age. She encourages them to write down this goal and strive to achieve it by the end of the next year, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-challenge.