I️ turn 40 years old in just a couple of short weeks. A lot of people seem to get depressed around milestone birthdays but this is not really phasing me that much, if anything I️ am excited.
I️ already have the grey hairs and facial hair so what’s to fear besides death?
I️ was hoping to drop 30 lbs before the big day but now I️ have a strong goal to tackle in the new year. The following are reasons why I can’t wait to be 40.
1) More experience.
I remember being right out of college and facing boatloads of rejection because I didn’t have enough work experience. I️ work with a ton of millennials and turning 40 must seem light years away for most of them, but that is OK. While I️ don’t feel that much older than them most days, it is a good reminder of how much experience I️ hold. I️ have been through almost every career situation (also why I️ have the grey hair). Nothing that comes my way in business today really surprises or scares me.
2) Everyone I admire in business is over 40.
On days when I️ need extra inspiration I️ look at mentors like Arianna Huffington. Just this week she raised $30 million more in funding for Thrive Global. People think of entrepreneurship as a Millennial game but wise and brilliant people like her showcase the value of experience. She could have easily walked away after her smash success with The Huffington Post.
Look at what Gary Vaynerchuk, another mentor is doing at 40+ and as he says, he is just getting started.
3) Age brings patience and the ability to have focus on multiple goals.
Sometimes I️ get frustrated with myself and how little time I️ have to create. I️ went through phases of thinking I️ was an entrepreneur (starting two companies), then thinking I️ was not one, and coming full circle to the realization that I️ will someday have my own business.
As a father of two beautiful babies four years old and under, a huge majority of my time Is spent caring for them with my amazing wife. And I️ have come to realize that is ok. Someday, I️’ll look back on this crazy circus with fondness that these were the best times of my life. I️ just need to multitask. For instance I️ am writing this on my phone while I️ draw the kids a tubby. It will be hours before the kids are asleep and my wife and I have had a chance to chat and then I can jump on the computer for an hour or half hour and do one of my favorite things in the world, just write.
4). Confidence.
I have more confidence than any age prior. In youth, a lot of people confuse cockiness with confidence. Pure confidence comes by knowing your true self. I don’t really like public speaking, I will do it if I am forced to but I have found better ways for me to promote myself. Other people love it and thrive at it and that is great too. For me, I know I will spend a week nervous and dreading it before and there is not much that will change that for me at this point, so I don’t waste time on that weakness. My confidence in business is a derivative of the years I have put into studying communications, marketing, and PR.
So while I still feel like I have the maturity level of a 22 year old, I must accept the middle age world. I am excited for this second act or half. I may not have as much energy as I used to but I am still hungry and still have a lot to accomplish. I have a lot of things that I want to build, but I don’t have to rush them, I still have plenty of time. This is going to be fun!