TL;DR: Life Lessons from 60s That 30s Should Embrace for Success and Fulfillment
People in their 60s offer critical advice often overlooked by younger professionals: happiness and success extend beyond career and wealth. Key takeaways include:
• Build a life, not just a career, identity should include relationships and values.
• Invest in health early; habits now drastically shape well-being later.
• Prioritize time with loved ones and foster meaningful friendships to prevent loneliness.
• Adopt financial strategies that balance wealth with experiences and personal growth.
Living intentionally and aligning actions with long-term fulfillment can help create a richer, more balanced life. Start taking these lessons seriously today to avoid future regret. Want more resources for personal and professional evolution? Visit Silicon Canals.
9 Lessons From People in Their 60s That Those in Their 30s Rarely Take Seriously
The wisdom of older generations remains one of the most underutilized resources in personal and business growth. Many founders and professionals in their 30s dismiss advice from people in their 60s, believing it doesn’t align with modern lifestyles or ambitions. However, hindsight from those who’ve walked the entrepreneurial and personal path reveals critical lessons that could save younger adults years of struggle. Below are nine insights everyone in their 30s should stop ignoring.
Why isn’t career your identity?
People in their 60s often reflect on the years spent chasing professional success only to discover it left them feeling empty. The phrase “I regret spending most of my life tied to a job title” is alarming but prevalent among older entrepreneurs. Your career may feel like the central pillar of your life in your 30s, but those further down the line realize friendships, shared experiences, and personal growth matter far more. For business owners, this means building companies that reflect your values, not society’s expectations.
How does health compound over time?
“Invest in your physical health now, it pays back later” is a mantra many overlook. Regular movement, balanced nutrition, and preventive care in your 30s have exponential benefits decades later. Older people often lament the lack of attention they paid to their physical vitality earlier in life. For entrepreneurs, strength and energy directly impact decision-making and daily performance. Neglecting health can turn into a liability when competing in fast-paced industries.
- Adopt weekly exercise routines to avoid burnout.
- Avoid the temptation of skipping sleep for late-night productivity.
- Start tracking metrics like mobility and energy 10 years from now.
Why prioritize quality time with parents?
In your 60s, moments with parents become cherished memories, not an irritating task. The relationship evolves in ways you can’t predict, and by ignoring their wisdom or presence now, you could lose the opportunity to build meaningful connections before it’s too late. This applies beyond family, founders often miss the chance to learn resilience, courage, and patience from older mentors.
How does financial freedom balance itself?
Many young professionals obsess over amassing wealth, sometimes sacrificing long-term happiness. Older generations reveal a critical truth: Money is a tool for freedom, not happiness. A balanced approach to saving, spending, and investing rewards those who focus on experiences rather than pure accumulation. Sustainable finance strategies, such as investing in travel or hobbies, can strengthen mental well-being and expand your network in ways that align with your mission.
- Stop overvaluing your net worth as a reflection of success.
- Budget for personal growth activities like learning new skills.
- Create a system that balances risk and reward without guilt.
Does worrying really solve problems?
Research shows most anxieties people face in their 30s rarely materialize the way they fear. Chronic worry damages your ability to make clear decisions and often leads entrepreneurs into avoidance instead of action. People in their 60s advise younger generations to focus on practical steps to manage risks, rather than spiraling over potential issues. Business owners especially should learn to separate actionable stressors from intangible ones.
Why do friendships fade without effort?
One of the saddest realities is that friendships often drift apart due to neglect, a common experience for busy professionals in their 30s. Intentional efforts to maintain these relationships drastically enhance emotional resilience, especially during stressful entrepreneurial phases. Loneliness affects creativity and productivity, yet being part of a “sangha,” or community of mutual support, mitigates these risks.
- Schedule regular check-ins with close friends, even virtually.
- Attend networking events with a social mindset.
- Create rituals, dinner hostings, book clubs, that sustain connection.
What personal lesson resonates most? Be present.
Older parents emphasize that material gifts do not replace shared experiences. Entrepreneurs often juggle multiple crises while parenting but forget time spent building memories holds more weight. Presence over perfection is not just for parenting but key leadership advice, whether interacting with employees, clients, or family.
How can saying ‘No’ build power?
“The freedom of declining commitments without guilt” stands out strongly in conversations with older business owners. Boundary setting is critical to avoid overextending yourself. Saying no strategically can create space for opportunities more aligned with your goals, without tearing down connections.
- Reject meetings that fail to align with your priorities.
- Communicate clearly about commitments upfront.
- Block off weekly personal recovery periods on your calendar.
Why seize adventures today?
Delayed dreams often confront physical limitations later in life, as people stop being able to pursue “bucket list” goals like jet-setting, marathon running, or rigorous outdoor ventures. Business founders get caught up in their work yet still recount missed passions later. Make plans, despite pressures, to live the life you envision now.
Conclusion: Are You Ignoring Wise Advice?
Founders and professionals often rush headlong into their future without stopping to absorb lessons from those who’ve already traveled the same road. Wisdom from those in their 60s isn’t outdated, it’s insightful, actionable, and frequently life-changing. By incorporating these lessons today, you create not just better businesses but also richer, more fulfilled lives.
Want more insights into genuine entrepreneurial growth and balance? Explore resources designed for founders striving to evolve personally and professionally on Silicon Canals. It’s time to break the cycle of regret.
FAQ on 9 Lessons from People in Their 60s That Those in Their 30s Rarely Take Seriously
How can you avoid tying your identity to your career?
Understanding that your worth is more than just your career achievements is critical. People in their 60s emphasize the importance of diversifying identity, focusing on building relationships and exploring personal passions outside work. Instead of solely chasing titles, align your career with values that reflect who you are. This mindset creates a more balanced life and fosters resilience when career setbacks occur. Reflect on this lesson through Lachlan Brown's article on Silicon Canals. Read his take on career and identity.
What is the best way to invest in your health now?
Investing in health starts with committing to daily habits such as regular exercise, proper sleep, and balanced nutrition. Even small efforts compound over time, leading to better physical vitality as you age. Experts highlight routines like maintaining mobility through stretching and prioritizing preventive care. Explore health tips for aging wisely. Discover health strategies older adults swear by.
Why should you prioritize time with your parents?
Cherishing time with your parents becomes increasingly valuable as both you and they age. Building deeper connections and learning wisdom from their experiences can lead to profound memories that bring lasting fulfillment. Learn about the transformative relationship you can create with parents during adulthood. Check out family connection tips from Mark Manson.
How can money be used as a tool for balance and freedom?
Rather than viewing money as a scorecard, use it strategically for personal growth, experiences, and security. Practices like budgeting for travel or hobbies promote mental health and build a fulfilling life. Avoid the trap of overemphasizing wealth accumulation to the detriment of happiness and relationships. Dive into insights on financial freedom. Explore why life experiences outweigh net worth.
Can worrying truly solve any issues?
People in their 60s suggest focusing on actionable responses to problems rather than fixating on intangible stressors. Chronic worry often leads to decision paralysis and increases stress without constructive outcomes. Addressing these tendencies is critical, especially in fast-paced industries. For practical approaches to worry management, Lachlan Brown shares advice. Learn how to separate valid concerns from needless worry.
Why does maintaining friendships require effort?
Friendships naturally fade over time without conscious effort. People in their 60s highlight the importance of consistent check-ins, shared rituals, and intentional connections to sustain relationships. Neglecting friendships can result in loneliness or a lack of emotional support later in life. Foster stronger social networks through these tips. Explore friendship maintenance strategies on Silicon Canals.
What does “presence over perfection” mean for parenting and leadership?
Being present rather than striving for perfection allows you to create valuable memories with children and employees. Entrepreneurs focused on leadership find that attentive interactions foster trust and engagement far better than acts of precision. Discover how presence builds lasting bonds with those around you. Discover parenting advice embedded in leadership lessons.
How can saying “no” without guilt empower you?
Older generations stress how strategic boundary-setting enables freedom to focus on meaningful opportunities. Declining mismatched commitments protects both mental and physical energy, reducing burnout without damaging relationships. Lachlan Brown explores boundaries’ impact on personal growth. Learn how purposeful declination builds true power.
Why is it crucial to embrace adventures now?
Dreams deferred for retirement may face obstacles like physical limitations later, making it vital to seize adventurous opportunities while able. Stories of missed passions due to career focus exemplify this regret. Lachlan Brown explains the benefits of living in the present. Read how taking risks enriches life.
How can founders blend wise advice into their strategy?
Integrating lessons from older generations allows younger business professionals to shape well-rounded leadership models. Wisdom on stress management, holistic priorities, and fostering connection contributes to better decision-making and fulfilling work environments. Explore entrepreneur resources boosting personal growth.
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.