This week, we’re continuing our four-part series focusing on what to do in four specific decades: 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. (No offense to those 60 and above. I just haven’t gotten there yet.)
Before we begin, a shout-out to all of you who forwarded last week’s email about “What to do in your 20s” to your friends or family members currently in that decade. I heard from so many of you. Thanks for doing that. Let’s keep that up. If you’re not in your 30s, forward this week’s email to someone you know who is.
What to do in your 30s:
- Reduce financial debt every year in your 30s. The goal should be to enter your 40s with less debt than when you entered your 30s. Better yet, try to eliminate all debt by 40. By the way, most people do the opposite. Most people accumulate debt every year in their 30s. Don’t be like most people.
- Stay consistent and go deep with 3 – 4 strong friendships. In his excellent book “Strength to Strength,” Arthur Brook cites research that says one of the top regrets later in life is looking back and realizing we often sacrificed friendships for work. This usually begins in our 30s due to the growing demands of our career and family. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t have more than four friends. What I’m suggesting is go deep with 3 – 4 friends now in order to hit your 40s and beyond with meaningful friendships.
- Get life insurance.
- Get your will done. As a pastor for 18 years, I did my share of funerals for people in their 30s. As tragic as these were, they were even more complicated when the deceased did not have a will or life insurance. Go to your calendar, set a deadline date for one month from now and check these two off your list.
- Take a calculated risk. Our 30s is the decade when we start settling down, and that’s not a bad thing. But too often we can choose comfort over growth. I made a career switch in my 30s which I talk about in my book, “What to do Next.” It was hard but in many ways it led me to what I’m doing now. In fact, chances are you wouldn’t be reading this if Wendy and I had not chosen to take a calculated career risk. If you need help with this, check out my free career risk assessment here: