[bigpeopleareold]

I will just say for myself.

I am 42 now. My longest problem was not about programming, but what to program. For a few years now, I have tried to hone the problems around this question, at leas where I can. For myself, I still struggle with it, but I given myself to take one small thing at a time and not worry too much about bigger goals.

However, I still care what to do. Sometimes I have a strong opinion on what to do, but I am in a situation where others around me mostly have no opinion or will never answer the question for whatever reason. I worried a lot what "their" opinion was, but at this point, the ambition is something I have to do - if I see something to fix, I will make a decision to do it. For many, they don't have that opportunity, for sure (like those who program for their CVs.)

To get back to the question directly - it's not what you describe. There will be a few who are very sure of themselves and can roll with it. Some of us take years to build that confidence, but knowing what to do and doing it is very much an important skill, no matter what age. I am also under the opinion that where I am and where I can be is not decided by business processes, but my own will. (Sometimes I need to continue to take my own advice.)