So, I’ve turned 40.
It feels like it should be a big deal, doesn’t it? And I suppose it is in some ways. But if I’m honest, I don’t actually feel that different to how I did at 35, 36, 37… or even 39!
I think age is partly a mindset.
There have definitely been times when I’ve felt pressure to be further ahead, to have achieved more, or to have everything figured out by the time I reached 40.
But the truth is, it doesn’t really matter where everyone else thinks you should be. What matters is where you want to go.
If you feel like you haven’t achieved some of the things you wanted to by 40, that’s OK.
Actually, great.
You’ve got the perfect opportunity to start.
Set yourself some goals. Work out what you actually want. Then start figuring out how you’re going to get there.
You don’t need to have everything worked out on day one.
Work isn’t everything – shock horror!
If you haven’t figured this out already, turning 40 is a good reminder that your job is not your entire life.
I know how easy it is to get caught up in work. You can spend years being committed to your career, trying to progress, hit targets, earn more money and generally prove yourself.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But work is only one part of the bigger picture.
Don’t forget to invest time in your relationships, your friendships and, perhaps most importantly, yourself.
Go and see people. Do things. Spend some time outside. See a bit of the world.
Yes, I know… it sounds incredibly cliché.
But there’s probably a reason why all of those clichés exist.
I’ve realised that some of the things that make me happiest have very little to do with work.
There are no easy shortcuts
This is probably one of the biggest things I’ve learned.
You have to put the work in.
Fitness. Stability. Career. Mental health. Relationships. Business. Confidence.
There isn’t a magic pill or secret formula that’s going to make everything easy.
Unfortunately, most of the time, the only way through is to put your head down and slog your way through the mud.
And those shortcuts you think you’ve found?
Well, quite often they come back later and cause you a problem – sometimes with added interest.
Social media doesn’t help with this either.
Everywhere you look, someone seems to have discovered the secret to making £10,000 a month, losing 20kg in 30 days, becoming incredibly productive or completely transforming their life before breakfast.
And, in the interest of fairness, don’t automatically believe what you read on this blog either!
Do your homework.
Do your research.
Question things.
Whether it’s a stress supplement, a money-making blueprint, a miracle diet or the latest “life-changing” productivity hack, spend some time understanding what you’re actually buying into.
There is nothing wrong with looking for a better way of doing things.
Just don’t confuse a shortcut with a solution.
Invest, invest, invest!
If you haven’t already started, start now.
As the old saying goes, there’s no better time than today.
And I’m not just talking about stocks, shares and pensions – although I’m certainly not excluding those.
I’m talking about investing in yourself, your business and other people.
Learn something.
Develop a skill.
Meet people.
Build relationships.
Spend money on something that will genuinely improve your life or your future.
Investing doesn’t always mean putting money into something and waiting for a financial return.
Sometimes the return is confidence.
Sometimes it’s knowledge.
Sometimes it’s a new opportunity.
Sometimes it’s a relationship that turns out to be incredibly valuable.
If you invest wisely, you can reap what you sow.
Just make sure you’re planting the right things.
Help people – and don’t be afraid to ask for help
And finally, help people whenever you can.
Be charitable. Be kind. Look out for people.
It doesn’t have to mean spending loads of money at the next charity bake sale, either.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.
Give someone your time.
Share your knowledge.
Make an introduction.
Help someone solve a problem.
Check in on somebody who might need it.
And just as importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself.
I think there’s sometimes a strange pressure to appear as though we’ve got everything under control.
We don’t.
Nobody does.
There will be times when you need advice, support, experience or simply someone to talk to.
Ask for it.
Most people are far more willing to help than you might think.
So, what have I learned?
I certainly don’t have life figured out just because I’ve turned 40.
Far from it.
If anything, I’m becoming more comfortable with not having all the answers.
But if I had to sum up what I’ve learned so far, it would probably be this:
Don’t worry too much about where you think you should be.
Look after the people around you.
Don’t let work become your entire identity.
Put the effort in.
Question the shortcuts.
Invest in yourself and the things that matter.
Help people when you can.
Ask for help when you need it.
And perhaps most importantly…
It’s never too late to start something new.
I’m 40 now.
I’ve still got plenty of things I want to do.
So I suppose I’d better get started.
