40 Things to do Before You’re 40

7. Embrace Discipline. The D-Word causes some push back because it has a negative connotation, but discipline is really the pathway to freedom. Discipline refines your mind, body and soul to be at their very best. In a world of laziness and entitlement, choose to embrace discipline. The book of Proverbs in the Bible is the best roadmap for what it looks like and how a wise (disciplined) life stands in stark contrast to the broad road of foolishness where so many people life.

8. Discover the Narrow Road. This goes along with #7 and again, the Book of Proverbs in the Bible along with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament can help you discover what the “Narrow Road” looks like. Don’t stay on the highway to nowhere. Take an exit. Blaze a new trail. Don’t live to be a copy of someone else when God created you to be a unique masterpiece!

9. Choose wise mentors. You don’t have to be a Jedi Knight to need a mentor and your mentor doesn’t need to look like Yoda. Find people in your life who are further ahead than you and who have the kind of life, career, family, health, faith, finances, etc. that you’d like to have and learn from them. Buy them coffee. Ask their advice. They probably want to share it and you need to hear it!

10. Be a mentor. Once you’ve gained some experience, it’s not just for your benefit alone. You need to share it with others. Find people in your life through your work, your church, your family, etc. where you can share your experiences in a way that will positively impact others.

11. Travel overseas. Saint Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page.” I didn’t even have a passport until I was in my twenties, but now at 39, I’ve been to Australia, England, France, Belgium, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Haiti and Israel. Those experiences have shaped my worldview, stretched my thinking and made me a better person. I hope keep traveling and keep learning all my life. I know it can be expensive, but it’s better to be rich in experiences than rich in possessions. The wisdom gained from travel is always worth the investment.