Life After 40: A Guide to Making the Next 40 Years Your Best

So, you’ve hit the big 4-0. Maybe it’s a time of reflection, or maybe you're looking at the next few decades and thinking, "What the heck do I do now?" If you're feeling like you've made a few mistakes or you're just realisng that life didn’t exactly turn out as planned, don't worry—you're in good company. We’ve all stumbled, but that doesn’t mean you can’t course-correct and turn things around.

In fact, if you're wondering what advice to take now that you’re 40 (or, let’s be honest, maybe 41 or 42..or over 60.), here’s how to start getting back on track, laughing along the way, and making the next 40 years your best yet.

1. Get Real About Your Past—But Don’t Stay There

Let’s face it: if you’re over 40, you’ve made some mistakes. You might have ignored that warning sign about your health, or, I don’t know, bought a house that turned out to have a bit more character (aka a leaky roof). But here's the kicker—everyone's made mistakes. The key is getting curious about them and learning from them.

Here’s a little life hack: Consider doing a “Past Authoring” exercise. No, it’s not as dramatic as writing your autobiography (yet), but it’s a deep dive into your life. You break things down into epochs, kind of like chapters in your own personal story. What went well? What didn’t? And most importantly, why?

If you're feeling extra ambitious, you might want to approach this the way Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn did when reflecting on his time in a Soviet labor camp. Did he wallow in despair? No—he looked back, figured out what went wrong, and used it to create something incredible. (No pressure, though. No one's asking you to pen the next Gulag Archipelago. Just a little self-awareness.)

2. Start Thinking About the Next 40 Years—Yes, Really

Alright, so the first 40 years might not have gone according to plan. But guess what? You've got another 40 (at least!). This is your chance to rewrite the script. But don't worry—you don't need to make huge changes all at once. It’s the small steps that really add up.

What do you want the next 40 years to look like? Maybe it's a new career, a healthier lifestyle, or more time with loved ones. The important part is that you start now. Even tiny improvements will pay off in the long run.

Imagine your life as a bank account: every little bit of progress is like a deposit. And just like compound interest, those small wins will stack up. But here's the secret: don’t compare yourself to others! (Seriously, you’re way too seasoned for that.)

3. Set Your Sights on Incremental Wins

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. That’s the beauty of it—small, manageable improvements can lead to big results. Want to improve your health? Start with one extra salad a week. Want to get organised? Tidy up one drawer at a time.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But I’ve tried before and failed. How is this any different?” Well, my friend, the trick is consistency. A small, positive change each day is like adding a dollar to your savings account—and before you know it, you’ll have a solid retirement fund of well-being and success. Small steps = big changes.

4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else

If you’re 40 and still comparing yourself to that 25-year-old friend who seems to have it all together, it’s time to stop. Here’s the deal: people in their 40s are so different from each other, there’s no point in comparing yourself to anyone else. If you’re 40, you’ve probably got some serious experience under your belt—and that means you’ve earned the right to write your own story.

Rather than worrying about the Joneses, compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Did you get one small thing right? Maybe you didn’t eat that extra slice of cake, or you didn’t snap at your partner when they left their dirty socks on the floor. (Kudos, by the way!) Celebrate those small wins and keep building on them.

5. Forgive Yourself—Seriously, It’s Fine

By the time you’re 40, you've probably come across a few “self-help” gurus telling you to “forgive yourself” for your mistakes. But let’s be real—it's not that easy. That advice can feel like a buzzword thrown around on Instagram. However, there’s a grain of truth in it.

Here’s how you do it: once you’ve reflected on your past and taken steps to correct what you can, stop beating yourself up. Life’s too short for that! It's not about just forgiving yourself, it’s about recognising that mistakes happen, learning from them, and moving forward without carrying that heavy baggage. You don’t need to be your own worst critic; you've probably been doing that long enough.

6. Start Now, Even If It’s a Tiny Change

The best time to make a change was yesterday. The second-best time? Right now. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by how much you want to improve. But the good news is, you don’t have to do it all at once. Just pick one thing.

Start with something you can handle today. Maybe it’s making a phone call you’ve been avoiding, organising your workspace, or taking a walk. You know what needs to change around you—you’ve probably been thinking about it for months (or years). So, make a small change and then commit to making tomorrow a little better than today.

In a year’s time, you'll look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come. And who knows, maybe by the time you're 50 or over 60 like me, you’ll be the person handing out advice to the 40-year-olds who are just starting to reflect on their lives.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This—And 40 More Years to Prove It

Here’s the deal: 40 isn’t the end of the road—it’s just the halfway mark. You've got plenty of time to make the next 40 years something amazing. Reflect on the past, but don’t get stuck in it. Make small changes, forgive yourself, and most importantly, keep moving forward.

Because, hey, you’ve already survived the first 40 years. What’s another 40? Go ahead and make them count!

What thoughts can you share below i would love to hear them!

Cheers,

Gary