There are many advantages of hitting ‘The Big 4-0′, the most obvious one is the value in the lessons you have learnt over the years and turning those lessons around into a direction that enables you to thrive.
These are just a few of the things I have come to realise in my 40 years.
1. Everything will be okay, and if it’s not, it’s certainly not the end of the world.
By the time you hit 40, we have all faced numerous situations to know that the hardship will not last. Children or teenagers don’t have the life experience of enduring difficult times and situations with the confidence to see ahead. We can weigh things up and think optimistically in a difficult situation and this in turn can boost our sense of rationale to find the solution. When you reach middle age you can take that knowledge with experience and realise that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it’s not the end of the world.
2. You are never too late or too old.
When you are younger, you can become concerned about whether or not you are keeping up with other people, especially in a world where social media exists and influences. There’s no set age by which you have to find your ultimate bliss in life, change your career, own a home, choose a life partner, or any other milestone. Everyone is different. For some people that ideal time is a little later in life. For others, it’s never, because they get older, gain a little perspective, and realise they don’t even want those things. Don’t get caught up in the rush. You will look back one day and regret not simply being young when you had the chance to be.
3. Quality over quantity.
When it comes to choosing friends choose those who add something to your life. When you are young you want as many friends as possible, but as you get older you will discover that you don’t need such a big circle of friends, you just need loyal ones. The friends that want you to do everything for them but are never there for you are the ones to steer clear of, they will drain you. Look for the right qualities in a friend that mirror your values.
4. Your Childhood is important.
One of the most ridiculous things people are led to believe is that children do not know themselves. I don’t believe this to be the case. When you are younger the most important person to you is you and it can become increasingly easy to lose sight of yourself once society starts telling you how wrong you are for liking what you like and being whoever it is that you want to be. No one knows you as well as you know yourself and you knew yourself without limits or shame when you were a child.
5. Travel while you have the chance.
Travel as much as you can. There is so much to see and do in the world that can lead you to new experiences and new people. Once you get caught up in life with a career, mortgage and maybe a family too, travelling becomes a lot harder to do. So, before you settle down take that big trip to wherever you’ve always wanted to visit. It may take you a while to earn the money back that you spent on that trip, but those memories will be priceless.
6. The term ‘Overnight Success’ is a load of rubbish.
What is the difference between expectation and reality? Between our expectations in business and reality, there is a clear-cut difference. Expectations are those that we consider possible and likely to occur. Reality, on the other hand, is the state of things as they are. The reality in business includes many road bumps along the way. You can’t always jump straight to success. Overnight success is a myth. Nothing worthwhile is going to be fast. Don’t have a backup plan because then you will never give it you’re all. Do not see the risk but see opportunity. Success will come when you put the hard work in.
7. Not everyone is always going to like you.
One of the most liberating feelings you will have in your life is when you realise that not everyone is going to like you no matter how hard you try. Although it may feel personal when someone doesn’t like you, often it isn’t about you at all, it’s about them. There are just some people who you won’t vibe well with. Be happy that not everyone likes you because that is proof that you are just living true to yourself.
8. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Believing in trying to not sweat the small stuff, can enhance your life in numerous ways. It will help you become more present, it will allow you more time to focus your energy on the things in life that matter, you become a more pleasant person to be around, and you don’t run the risk of making the small things any worse. In certain situations, just allow it to go, it isn’t worth wasting your energy on and ruining your day.
9. Money does not equate to success – Collect the memories.
You can earn all the money in the world and still not be happy. You can work all the hours of the day and still not be happy. Work and money are not a sign of success. Make the memories with your friends, your family and yourself. I still remember the holidays I went on, the family gatherings I attended and the nights out with my friends like they were yesterday. Those memories are precious so aim for the work-life balance that brings you that happiness.
10. Be Grateful for what you have.
The biggest piece of advice I can give to anyone is to be grateful for what you have. Don’t be envious of others, be pleased for them and be happy in your own life. No matter how crazy our lives might be there is always something to be thankful for. Find that one thing each day that you are grateful for, and your happiness levels will grow.
I am extremely grateful to be turning 40 surrounded by my family.
If you’re turning 40 this year, I wish you a very happy 40th birthday!
