5 Decisions Every Man Should Make Before 40

By: Franklin Mwangi Muiruri

The average man makes countless decisions in a day. From what shirt and to wear, to what school his kids go to, what he should order at a restaurant, and which stocks to invest in. Some of these decisions seem trivial, others massive. And that is alright because all are important.

Here are 5 main decisions that every man should make before they turn 40:

1. Health and wellness plan

One of the most disappointing elements of the human body is its self-destructing qualities that occur with age. Around age 25, the prostates start growing, and by age 40, there will be a need for frequent checkups. Apart from that, one also must maintain a healthy lifestyle in diet and physical activity to support the body as it continues to age (and can no longer handle knocking back a full case of Coors on a given weekend).

2. Position on marriage or lifelong commitment

Gone are the days when a man would settle down and have kids at the ripe age of 32. Certainly this is not the case anymore. The modern man has a career that occupies to a large extent, a greater portion of his time and attention. By age 40, he has likely seen it all – he has loved and perhaps even lost, but at any rate, he’s got to decide where he stands about his relationships.

3. Investment plans

For many, investing provides a fallback plan. As the idea of retirement comes into distant view of the mind, you should be thinking if you want your money to make money, even without you having to work. With four decades under their belt, chances are that they at least have an idea of what they will be doing for the rest of their lives. This is the best time to begin scouting for investment ideas.

4. How he wants to be remembered

The ability to shape one’s own legacy is high up amongst many men’s life desires— all it takes is an intentional start. A man ought to identify how and what he wants to be remembered for. For some, it is their innovation, for others, it is their philanthropic activities. Either way, one’s legacy is always highlights his positive qualities, so get your ducks in a row now!

5. The ‘boys club’

Meaningful and empowering friendships form an important bedrock for a man who is close to his prime. Your 40’s are a period of creating and enjoying stability in different facets of life. This requires a good support system from honest people he can socialize with, exchange ideas and with whom he has a safe space to share his frustrations and fears, with plausible and workable solutions offered. His friends will not only invite him for a golfing round or fishing trip but may also recommend him for a cool business venture opportunity!

An old adage spells that life begins at 40. Life is to be lived and enjoyed, not endured or survived. So before that journey commences, it beckons that a man must prepare to live fully, financially, socially, spiritually and build a heritage for the world he lives in.