There’s something about the big 30 – maybe it’s because you realise that your 20’s are a thing of the past, that it’s a milestone when you are supposed to reached pre-determined milestones, that suddenly the word “responsible” looms large in a very different light, that life, success and financial goals have all taken on new meaning.
Different people choose to bring in their third decade in various ways, depending wholly on how you feel about the number. But you know what, no matter what it maybe seem like in theory, 30s are the new 20s and you’ve got to take on the decade, which is essentially the beginning of the rest of your life. It’s time to stop, take a couple of step back and ask yourself imperative questions. MensXP lists out 31 questions you ought to ask yourself before your 30th.
1. Are you avoiding certain situations and/or people?
As much as we’d like to blackout certain people (and we should if we can), we have to deal with why we’re blanking them out. Looking at a situation as it is and accepting it is the only way forward. Avoid them if you will but leave them in the past.
2. Are you doing what you should be doing?
If you’re not doing what you love doing by 30, you’re never going to do what you love doing. Work without passion is a mere task and if it’s a task you have to endure for the rest of your working life, it’s time to reconsider.
3.Do you drag yourself out of bed every morning?
A hangover should be the only reason for dragging. Life’s too short to spend as a drag and irrespective of whether you’re a morning person, you must look forward to the morning. A new day for achievement.
4.Are you ticking off your must-dos?
To-do lists are easily one of the most betrayed lists on earth. Take a closer look at it; that was a younger, more hopeful you who wrote it. Get back to it, rediscover yourself and start ticking... NOW.
5.Have you learnt something new today?
It could be a new word, saying a sentence in a new language, discovered a new author, a new cuisine, restaurant, a new hobby – this can be just about anything under the sun. The point here is to continue learning something new every day because new learning’s only enhance your life and make work and business better.
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6.Have you done something that’s out of the ordinary?
To be extraordinary, you’ve got to do something that’s out of the ordinary. It could be related to your business or to your personal life. You start living once you refuse to accept the ordinary. And, if you have done something extraordinary, ask yourself when you’re going to achieve your next extraordinary feat.
7.If there was anything you could do without fear, would you do it?
Think about this one – all of us want to do certain things fearlessly. It could be establishing a new business, taking your business overseas, emigrating overseas, giving into adventure sport, etc. The thrill of achievement once done is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change your life forever.
8.Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is one of the most clichéd questions but it’s a cliché for a reason. Do you see yourself sipping Champagne on your yacht? Do you see yourself buying a holiday home in Switzerland? Do you see your company multiplying it profits a hundred-fold?
9.Are you working towards achieving your goals so that you are where you in five years time?
The five year plan is only effective when you work towards achieving those goals. And five years can be as short or as long as you want them to be; might as well make the journey memorable.
10.Do you have you “why”?
The “why” is extremely important because all of us do things for reasons. Do you know your “why”? If you don’t have a “why”, you’ll have a “how” and “what” – two words that leads you to excuses for not finding your “why”. You “why” is what will help you get to your goal and move onto greater ones.
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11.If not, when are you getting one?
So, you don’t have a “why”! How about getting one right now? After you have your “why”, you’ll find your purpose.
12. Are you optimising your skills to make more money?
Skills and talents are a boon, but they’re a boon only if you enhance them and use them to increase your pile of gold. Under-utilised skills are as good as having no skills at all. Time to take a closer look at your skills and make them work for you.
13. Are you planning to start your business or a new business?
The only way you can own your time is if you’re your own boss. Giving up the stability of a monthly salary to go into business is a risk, but life itself is a risk and we live anyway, right? Alternatively, if you’re already a businessman, what’s stopping you from doing something more?
14. What should you consider before doing this?
Before going into business or starting a second/third one, there are a few strategic factors you need consider. The market, finance, business plan, business goal, your reach, etc. Jot these points down, go back to your drawing board when need be and consider all that you must.
15. Are you focussing on problems as opposed to solutions?
No matter how hard a truth this is, there is no easy way to success and there is certainly no shortcut. However, the key to success is looking hard and deep for solutions. Problems will always be there but they become an issue only if you let them. Focus instead on your solution, various solutions and see how beautifully things unfold.
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16. Have you fostered new connections? And if you have, who are they?
Connections and networks are an essential part of your business life. Make it a job to meet with new people, connect often, discuss business possibilities and make sure that you’re with the right people and that the right people know you.
17.Are you still dwelling over “what-ifs”?
All of us have regrets, and almost all our regrets begin with “what-ifs”. Leave those behind; throw them away. Each “what-if” led you to where you are. Accept those mistakes and leave them in the past. The only thing you should take away from it is “lessons and learning”.
18.How much of a risk are you willing to take?
Business is about risk and while risk is an essential, the percentage of risk is a choice. Take a closer look at where you are in terms of your business. Is it as big as you imagined it would be? Can you afford to take another risk? And if yes, in what proportion? Your next step forward depends on the answers to these questions.
19.Are you playing the waiting game when it comes to your business?
The waiting game is a game that often keeps you waiting for the rest of your life. You wait to expand, you wait to take it forward, you wait for this, that and the other. The waiting game is okay as long as you’re aware that this is a game that depends on market conditions and it should certainly not be a game you play for the rest of your life.
20.How focussed are you?
You may want to conquer the world and we know you can. But focus on conquering not on what people may or may not say. Figure out how focussed you are and where your focus is.
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21.Do you see yourself living on the edge?
A wise man once said, ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much of space.” Do you see your edge and when are you going to claim that edge as your own?
22.How far and how much can you push yourself?
Success comes with its share of push and shove. Are you willing to sweat yourself silly till you get to your pinnacle?
23.What fires your spirit?
Find out what burns you so much that it turns you to cinder, only to rise again and scale the next peak. Once you find out, hold it close and allow it to burn you often.
24.Have you planned you trip into space?
This is the ultimate odyssey so far. If you’re not aiming for it, you’re dreams are still too small.
25.Has anyone called you crazy yet (on a serious note)?
Sanity is overrated and so totally strait-jacketed. Some of the greatest minds were always deemed crazy. And crazy is the new sane!
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26.If you were to leave the world today, what note would you leave it on?
If the man upstairs decided to pull the plug right now, would you go happy? Or would you cry over an unlived life? Goals may be unfulfilled but remember to live, really live, every single day.
27.Are you living or merely existing?
Existence is for the masses and you aren’t one of them... or are you? If you are, get out and live – it’s only as simple or complex as you want it to be.
28.Who is the one person who will forever look up to?
Think about this person, go back in time and think about the positivity and ambition this person exudes.
29.How much of yesterday was memorable?
Did you make yesterday memorable enough for it to be noteworthy? Every single day ought to be memorable.
30.Are you living a life worth writing about?
You’ve got to live a life that’s worth writing about. Are you there yet? Everyone has a few bumps along the way, but get back and live to be written about.
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31.What next?
These two words should be your mantra. You could be on top of the world but always, always ask, “What next?
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