The Birthday Wake-Up Call – Lessons for Entrepreneurs

I turned 40 recently. No big party, no major event. Just me, the gym, and my thoughts. And let me tell you, those thoughts were loud. I kept thinking, “I thought I’d be further along by now.”

It’s a dangerous narrative. It makes you focus on gaps instead of growth.

But here’s where it changed for me—a simple text from a friend: “I can’t believe you started over at 33.” That message hit different. It reminded me of the progress I’d made, not the progress I thought I should’ve made.

Perspective is everything.

• You can view a slow project as a failure, or you can see it as a chance to learn.

• You can be upset about a missed opportunity, or you can focus on the lessons it taught you.

In construction and business, we often expect results to match our timelines. But life doesn’t work like that. Growth isn’t a straight line.

So, next time you catch yourself thinking, “I should be further along,” pause and ask:

• “What have I already achieved?”

• “What can I do today to move forward?”

It’s not about where you thought you’d be. It’s about where you’re going next. Keep working.