What You Should Achieve in Your 30s

In my last blog I asked what you should achieve at what age. For example are you meant to move out of home by say age 23? Be married by 35? Buy a property by 40 (at the latest)? Are there certain things that you are meant to achieve by certain ages? Or is it down to the individual?

I looked specifically at what you should do in your 20s, and many life gurus think it’s a time for travel, friends, independence and figuring out what you want to achieve in your life. It’s also a time for hard work and perseverance but no recommendations about when to move out from home. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that the proportion of 20 to 24-year-olds living with parents grew from 41.4 per cent to 43.4 per cent between 2011 and 2016. The housing crisis means kids aren’t leaving the nest young any more. For 25 to 29-year-olds, 17 per cent still live at home.

But today I want to look at what you should have got out of your 30s. Again I wonder what you think of these ‘recommendations’.

I found an interesting article on what you should have done in your 30s in the British newspaper, The Independent. It is by business journalist, Chris Weller, who really offers life advice! 

1. Achieving milestones might not make you as happy as you expect

Chris Weller believes that by our 30s, our most cherished moments often come from the time we’ve had with friends and family. I agree with this, but remember that by establishing a career and earning good money you have more to spend on holidays and going out with friends and family! 

2. Don’t overdo it

Chris says that it’s easy to burn yourself out by trying to do it all and be it all. “Multitasking is an oxymoron, and your inbox will always be full, that is its job,” Chris says. “But being excellent in a few cherished things (playing piano, skiing, photography, whatever) gives a lasting reward.” Again I agree with him, work hard but invest in the here and now! Enjoy life and the good things! 

3. Stay fit and healthy. It's a long way back once you lose it!” 

This is so true, if you don’t use it you will lose it. It is a tough fight to lose weight and re-establish fitness. Try to maintain your level of fitness.

4. Spend time with your kids. Appreciate them while you can.

Again, so true. Many people have children by the end of their 30s. Enjoy spending time with your children while they still want to spend time with you. I feel like I blinked and suddenly my beautiful daughters were grown up. That time when they are small is so precious. Treasure every moment of it. Before you know it they will be teenagers and telling you how embarrassing you are.

5. Don't let yourself be intimidated by anyone.

“Don't let yourself be intimidated by anyone. Make sure you learn from other people, be it successes or failures.” — Breis Leach. I look back on my youth and realise I was intimidated by people I now don’t even respect. It is so hard to know your worth as a young person. If you have young people in your life, tell them regularly how fantastic they are. Build up their self-esteem, and let them know they never should feel inadequate or second best. Unfortunately many people in their 30s still don’t know their worth. 

6. Whatever you think you are going to do someday — do it now!

“Whatever you think you are going to do someday — do it now if at all possible, and if not possible make a plan to make it a reality and start working that plan. Otherwise 10 years from now it will still be just a fantasy. If you wish for it, it's a fantasy. If you plan for it, it's a dream. But only if you work for it might it become a reality.” — Saurellia. Again so true, in your 30s you have the physical strength to chase your dreams and make them a reality. Take risks while you can or come 40, you will regret it.

7. Don't slave away for a company thinking it's for some sort of greater good and that you will be greatly rewarded sometime in the future.

“Don't slave away for a company thinking it's for some sort of greater good and that you will be greatly rewarded sometime in the future. Unless there is actual, measurable benefit for you in putting in so many hours, it's not going to happen. Nobody thanks you in the end, and you'll just burn out. Now, if you do this with a clear purpose and/or have actual benefits, that's fine. Put the same energy into your own business and be good at what you do.” — Horstenkoetter. Again, so true, how many of us have learnt this the hard way? Given our all to a job, only to be slapped in the face. Remember, no one is ever irreplaceable – especially in the corporate world. 

8. Start planning your retirement

Basically, the sooner you start planning for your retirement, the sooner you will be able to retire! Get a rental property if possible, go for it and aim to get financially comfortable otherwise you’ll still be working at 70!

9. Marriage and children

I want to let you know that nowhere did I find any experts who say you should be starting a family in your 30s. In high-income countries the birth rate is actually falling and fewer people are becoming parents. The birth rate is definitely falling in the US. I’ve seen figures that show around 15 to 20 percent of Australians never have children. Again this is a very personal decision. Also when you ‘couple’ up is very personal. I have seen statistics that show only about one percent of the population gets to 60 years of age, without ever having been in a relationship. 

In my next blog I look at what you should get out of your 40s.