TL;DR: How to Build Success by Age 40
Achieving success by 40 depends on deliberate investments made in your 20s, focusing on compounding skills, financial literacy, and personal growth.
• Develop transferable skills like leadership and communication to future-proof your career.
• Prioritize health with fitness routines, mindfulness, and preventive care to sustain energy and mental clarity.
• Build meaningful relationships by fostering trust and collaboration rather than surface-level networking.
• Invest financially early, tackling debt, saving, and exploring investments.
Success begins with intentional habits, start applying changes today for long-term rewards!
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Success by age 40 often feels unattainable to those navigating their early career years, but the reality is quite different. People who reach these heights weren’t always prodigies or endowed with extraordinary luck, they built their success through deliberate actions and investments in their 20s. These early decade habits are what set them apart because they compound over time. Let’s dive into what they invested in and why it worked.
What investments lead to success by 40?
From financial literacy to personal growth, certain areas of focus can completely change the trajectory of your life. Below I’ll break down the eight most impactful investments people make during their 20s that set them up for long-term success. These insights are based on years of observing patterns among entrepreneurs, founders, and top performers.
1. How do compounding skills shape career growth?
In your 20s, the goal shouldn’t just be to earn a higher salary, it should focus on building skills that expand over time. Think leadership, negotiation, storytelling, and problem-solving. These aren’t just “nice to have” skills; they allow you to pivot industries, excel under pressure, and lead with clarity, regardless of your title.
- Transferable skills: Public speaking, team management, and emotional intelligence enable you to adapt across varying roles.
- Takeaway: Investing in specialized yet adaptable expertise multiplies your career options tenfold.
Most professionals regret focusing solely on technical skills, such as coding, without complementing them with interpersonal abilities. For example, a software engineer with exceptional public speaking skills becomes the CTO who drives organizational change.
2. Why prioritize health before it’s a crisis?
Your body is your primary tool, but it’s widely neglected in one’s 20s. Think about how many extra hours of productivity you lose because of poor habits. Investing in fitness, mindfulness, and preventive check-ups helps bank years of energy and mental clarity for your 30s and 40s.
- Physical investments: Join a gym or build an at-home fitness routine focused on both strength and cardio.
- Mental health: Regular mindfulness practices, such as meditation or cognitive-behavioral therapy, reduce burnout risks.
- Nutritional literacy: Learn how proper diet affects long-term cognition and stamina.
As entrepreneur and podcaster Tim Ferriss highlights, “If you don’t have 30 minutes to take care of your health, you’re going to lose those 30 minutes every single day as inefficiency.”
3. How do valuable relationships create long-term opportunities?
Networking has become a buzzword, but truly successful people build deep and meaningful relationships. While networking events can help make acquaintances, the goal is to turn those connections into trusted allies.
- Example: Instead of merely exchanging business cards, offer help or collaborate on small projects to deepen trust.
- Approach: Initiate regular one-on-one check-ins with mentors, peers, and even competitors.
Research by sociologist Robert Putnam shows that strong social capital, built through real rapport, rather than quantity of contacts, boosts life satisfaction and professional outcomes significantly.
4. Why is financial literacy a game changer?
Your 20s are when every financial decision has exponential consequences. Understanding how to save, invest, and avoid debilitating debt builds wealth that can support risk-taking later in life.
- Invest early: Even small contributions towards mutual funds or ETFs in your 20s can grow into substantial amounts by 40.
- Get ahead of debt: Make paying off high-interest loans, especially credit card balances, a top priority.
For actionable steps, look into resources like Dave Ramsey’s guide to financial freedom or beginner apps like Acorns and Robinhood.
5. How do life-changing experiences shape character?
Travel, take risks in both career and personal adventures, and seek out discomfort. These teach resilience, broaden your horizons, and help you become culturally intelligent, traits future employers and collaborators value deeply.
- Work-risk combo: Volunteer for assignments abroad or join startups where exposure to challenges is greater.
- Embrace failure: Every setback in your 20s becomes a lesson for future success.
Hardships transform into stories of strength, but only if you embrace the learning process instead of avoiding challenges.
6. Why are mentorship and coaching non-negotiable?
The most successful individuals have one common thread, consistent access to great mentorship. Mentors offer a roadmap through obstacles and open doors you’d never access alone.
- Search out mentors through platforms like LinkedIn or by attending niche local events.
- Consider paying for coaching early, it’s an investment, not a cost.
Don’t wait for mentors to find you; be proactive in approaching them with specific questions or proposals to add value to their own goals.
7. How does self-awareness guide decision-making?
Self-awareness is a cornerstone of good leadership. It minimizes blind spots, helps you manage ego, and lets you understand how your habits influence others. Spend time reflecting, collecting feedback from peers, and even engaging in therapy if needed.
Tools like the Enneagram personality test or journaling cultivate self-reflection, which allows you to align your personal ambitions with your career goals.
8. Why focus on deep work?
As distractions multiply, the ability to focus deeply becomes more valuable. Mastering focused work, free from multitasking, will separate you from competitors and multiply productivity.
- Key strategies: Use time-blocking systems or apps like Notion to prioritize uninterrupted periods for complex tasks.
- Create no-phone zones during work to avoid external disruptions.
What’s the takeaway?
The success you see by 40 isn’t magic, it’s a compound result of habits that started in your 20s. Focus on building skills, strong relationships, better health, and financial literacy. The earlier you plant these seeds, the larger and more sustainable the rewards. Want more tips? Start applying just one of these investments this month.
FAQ on Achieving Success by Age 40 Through Investments in Your 20s
How do transferable skills boost career longevity?
Transferable skills, like communication, leadership, and problem-solving, are critical for long-term professional success. In contrast to technical skills that may become obsolete, transferable skills adapt across industries and roles. For example, an engineer who masters storytelling and negotiation can transition into managerial positions or strategic roles within the company. Public speaking, emotional intelligence, and team collaboration also open doors to leadership opportunities regardless of the field. Books like “Range” by David Epstein advocate for cultivating generalist skills, which allow individuals to thrive in diverse and complex environments. Start by carving out 30 minutes daily to practice one major skill such as writing or negotiation. The payoff is amplified career flexibility and scalable success.
Why should mental and physical health be priorities in your 20s?
Health is foundational to productivity and longevity but often overlooked among young professionals. By prioritizing fitness, mindfulness, and preventive healthcare, you can save years of missed opportunities due to burnout or chronic issues. Activities like regular gym sessions, incorporating meditation into your routine, and attending preventive checkups reduce risks of long-term illnesses. A study by JAMA Network reveals that early health investments strongly correlate with sustained cognitive performance and energy levels in later decades. If joining a gym isn't feasible, mobile apps such as Nike Training Club offer free guided home workouts, while mindfulness apps like Calm make meditation easily accessible.
What is the value of meaningful relationships over standard networking?
Networking events may help expand your contacts, but the most successful individuals cultivate meaningful connections that endure. Instead of focusing on volume, invest time in getting to know key people. For instance, you could regularly check in with mentors or offer assistance during small collaborative projects. This approach transforms acquaintances into trusted allies. Sociologist Robert Putnam identified that strong social capital enhances career outcomes and personal satisfaction significantly. Take practical steps, such as scheduling biweekly one-on-ones with your core network, to build rapport. A focus on genuine relationships ensures future opportunities arise organically from mutual trust and respect.
How does financial literacy impact your long-term opportunities?
Most financial decisions in your 20s have compounding effects. Learning the basics of debt management, budgeting, and early investing can secure a stable financial future by age 40. Simple habits, like contributing monthly to an ETF portfolio or paying off high-interest debts first, yield exponential results. Financial tools like Acorns or Robinhood simplify saving and investing for beginners. For structured guidance, resources such as Dave Ramsey’s guide to financial freedom offer step-by-step methods. Building wealth early creates safety nets that enable bolder career or business moves later, such as entrepreneurial ventures or advanced degrees.
Can life-changing experiences influence your resilience and adaptability?
Experiences like traveling, taking career risks, or volunteering for challenging assignments develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and cultural fluency. For example, working abroad exposes you to diverse work environments, strengthening your adaptability. Similarly, failure during challenging projects fosters problem-solving abilities crucial for high-stakes roles. Psychologists consistently advocate stepping out of your comfort zone in your 20s, transforming early hardships into opportunities for growth. Seek roles or projects that stretch your capabilities, like joining startups or leading an extracurricular initiative in your organization. The broader your exposure to discomfort, the stronger your emotional toolkit becomes.
How can mentorship fast-track your growth and opportunities?
Mentorship provides guidance tailored to your specific challenges and enables faster learning from experienced professionals. Mentors share insights about industry trends, decision-making frameworks, and network-building strategies that often take years to learn independently. Services like LinkedIn facilitate finding mentors within your industry. Aim to offer value in return, such as assisting with research or contributing to a project, to solidify mentor-mentee relationships. Paid coaching is another effective route for personalized career growth. By proactively seeking mentors, you position yourself to avoid costly mistakes and access hidden opportunities.
Why is self-awareness a critical component of leadership?
Self-awareness strengthens decision-making and helps you manage relationships effectively. Leaders who understand their biases, triggers, and impact on others foster collaborative and trusting team environments. Tools like the Enneagram personality test or journaling regularly are practical ways to cultivate self-reflection. Soliciting feedback from peers or engaging in professional coaching sessions can also uncover blind spots that might hinder your performance. By aligning personal aspirations with professional goals, self-aware individuals make clear and effective choices, whether they’re leading teams or advancing their own careers.
How does deep work elevate your productivity and results?
Deep work refers to the ability to focus on cognitively demanding tasks without distraction, a valuable skill in today’s multitasking culture. In your 20s, building disciplined routines for concentrated effort sets you apart from peers overwhelmed by constant notifications. Tools like Notion or Pomodoro timers can help structure work blocks, while creating “no-phone zones” reduces external distractions. Insights from “Deep Work” by Cal Newport suggest that consistent deep focus enhances problem-solving and accelerates mastery in any field.
When is the best time to start adopting these habits?
Earlier is always better, as compounding ensures these investments grow significantly over time. However, every habit can still yield returns even if adopted later. Start small, choose one investment (like daily meditation or early retirement savings) and gradually commit to other areas. Tools like habit trackers or accountability groups make consistency easier. Even a late start on investments like mentorships or financial literacy can shift your trajectory toward meaningful success.
What is the overarching lesson from successful individuals by 40?
Success isn't solely a result of innate talent or luck, it’s the outcome of deliberate planning and steadfast habits formed during one’s 20s. Focus on a balanced approach: combine skill-building, financial planning, health, and relationship-building. Each habit is like planting a seed that flourishes over decades, ultimately shaping your life and career trajectory by age 40. Start small but stay consistent, keeping your long-term vision in mind.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.