Interesting comment about wasting time. It is something that can be hard to ascertain, some people" wasted" time only to realise that they are here to do something great and with amazing energy got on with it. Like the 'wasted' time was a catalyst for an incredible action.
In your case you knew what you wanted and got on with it. Wonderful, some people do not have that clarity, and may take a bit longer to get there... Great story.