By the time you hit 40, it’s easy to look around and wonder how you measure up.
Some people seem to have it all figured out—thriving careers, strong relationships, personal growth—while others still feel like they’re trying to find their footing.
But success isn’t just about checking off society’s boxes. It’s about hitting key milestones that show real progress—not just on paper, but in life.
If you’ve reached these specific achievements by 40, chances are you’re doing better than you think. In fact, you might be more accomplished than the average person your age.
1) You’ve learned how to manage your finances
Money can be a major source of stress, and by 40, you’ve probably had your fair share of financial ups and downs.
But what really sets you apart is how you’ve handled them. If you’ve built a solid savings, paid off major debts, or started investing for the future, you’re already ahead of many people your age.
It’s not about being rich—it’s about being in control. Knowing where your money goes, making smart financial decisions, and planning ahead shows a level of responsibility that not everyone reaches.
And that’s a big accomplishment.
2) You’ve found a career that feels right for you
When I was younger, I thought success meant climbing the corporate ladder as fast as possible. So I chased promotions, worked long hours, and told myself that was the only way to make it.
But somewhere along the way, I realized that job titles and bigger paychecks didn’t mean much if I wasn’t actually happy.
It took a few twists and turns—some failed attempts, a career change, and a lot of self-reflection—but by the time I hit 40, I finally found work that felt fulfilling.
If you’ve reached a point where your career aligns with your values, skills, and goals, you’re already doing better than most.
It doesn’t have to be your dream job—just something that gives you a sense of purpose and stability. And trust me, that’s a huge milestone.
3) You have relationships that truly support you
By 40, most people have met thousands of people in their lifetime—but only a handful of them truly matter.
Studies show that the quality of your relationships has a bigger impact on your happiness and well-being than money or career success. Strong personal connections can even improve your physical health and increase longevity.
If you’ve built a solid support system—whether it’s close friends, family, or a partner—you’re in a better position than most. Life is unpredictable, and having people who genuinely care about you makes all the difference.
4) You’ve learned to set and enforce boundaries
When you’re younger, it’s easy to say yes to things just to keep the peace—extra work, social events you don’t want to attend, even relationships that drain you.
But by 40, you’ve likely realized that your time and energy are limited, and not everyone deserves unlimited access to them.
Setting boundaries isn’t about shutting people out; it’s about protecting your well-being.
If you’ve learned how to say no without guilt, distance yourself from toxic relationships, and prioritize what truly matters, you’ve mastered a skill that many people struggle with their entire lives.
5) You’ve made peace with past mistakes
I used to dwell on my past mistakes, replaying them in my head and wondering what I could have done differently. It took me years to realize that no amount of overthinking could change what had already happened.
By 40, you’ve likely had your share of regrets—bad decisions, missed opportunities, moments you wish you could take back.
But if you’ve learned to accept those mistakes, take the lessons they taught you, and move forward without carrying unnecessary guilt, you’re ahead of the game.
I won’t say it’s easy, but reaching a point where you can acknowledge your past without letting it define you is a huge milestone. And honestly? It’s freeing.
6) You’ve accepted that you don’t have everything figured out
When I was younger, I thought that by 40, I’d have all the answers—about career, relationships, life in general. But the truth is, no one ever really figures everything out. And that’s actually a good thing.
If you’ve reached a point where you’re comfortable with uncertainty, open to learning, and willing to adapt when life throws unexpected challenges your way, you’re doing better than most.
The people who struggle the most are often the ones who cling to rigid expectations instead of embracing change.
Real growth comes from knowing that you don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to keep moving forward.
7) You prioritize your health—physically and mentally
In your 20s and 30s, it’s easy to push your health to the side—skipping sleep, ignoring stress, telling yourself that you’ll “deal with it later.” But by 40, your body and mind start making it clear that you can’t neglect them forever.
If you’ve made exercise, proper rest, and mental well-being a priority, you’re ahead of many people your age.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about listening to what your body needs, managing stress in a healthy way, and understanding that self-care isn’t selfish.
Taking care of yourself now means a better quality of life in the years ahead. And that’s one of the smartest investments you can make.
8) You define success on your own terms
By 40, you’ve seen enough to know that there’s no single path to success. What works for one person might not work for another, and chasing someone else’s version of achievement rarely leads to real fulfillment.
If you’ve stopped comparing yourself to others and started focusing on what truly matters to you—whether it’s career growth, family, personal passions, or simply living a life that feels meaningful—you’ve reached a milestone that many never do.
Success isn’t about meeting society’s expectations. It’s about creating a life that feels right for you.
Success isn’t a checklist
Hopefully, if you’ve read this far, you’ve realized that success isn’t about hitting every milestone at a specific time.
Because being accomplished by 40 doesn’t mean having everything figured out—it means growing, learning, and building a life that feels meaningful to you.
If you’ve reached even a few of these milestones, you’re likely doing better than you give yourself credit for. And if you haven’t? There’s still plenty of time.