8 Things You Should Know and Develop by Age 35 to 40

If you’re between the ages of 35 and 40, this message is for you. This is the season where real maturity kicks in, and where your choices start compounding for better… or for worse.

You don’t have to have everything figured out. But there are 8 key things that every person should know whether you are a man or woman and be developing by now if you want to thrive in this chapter of life.

At age 35 to 40 is a pivotal point in life— where the foundation you’ve laid starts to speak louder. It’s a season where life demands maturity, not just motion. Wisdom, not just hustle. And strategy, not just survival.

And let’s face it: by the time, life stops waiting for you to figure things out. The decisions you make (or delay) start shaping more than just your future — they begin to define your identity, influence your influence, and determine the legacy you’ll leave behind.

But the truth is, many of us reach this stage carrying more weight than wisdom. Not because we’ve failed, but because we were never taught what truly matters at this phase of life. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. It’s about identifying what matters, what needs to be sharpened, and what must be released so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

So this isn’t just another list — it’s a blueprint. A call to build the internal and external strength required to walk in purpose, manage responsibility, and create a life of impact and peace.

So in this article, we’re unpacking 8 core areas every man and woman should intentionally develop by the time they hit 35 to 40. These aren’t just good ideas — they are the keys that separate stagnation from transformation.

Whether you feel behind or already ahead, this read will equip you with the clarity to realign, refocus, and reignite your growth journey.

Let’s get into it — because your next level is waiting.

Here are 8 core things you should know and develop by age 35 to 40 if you truly want to thrive — spiritually, emotionally, financially, and relationally.

1. Self-Discipline

The Line Between Excuses and Elevation.

Self-discipline isn’t glamorous, but it’s the secret ingredient behind every accomplished life. Motivation is great, but self-discipline is what sustains. By now, you’ve likely faced seasons where motivation dried up — where life got heavy, and your goals started feeling like burdens.

By this point in life, your ability to stay consistent — especially when no one’s watching — becomes everything.. Whether you’re building a business, a family, or simply trying to better yourself, self-discipline is what separates those who win from those who wish.

It is about saying no to distractions, yes to your vision, and showing up even when you don’t feel like it. Discipline isn’t about perfection — it’s about commitment.

But here’s the truth: winners don’t win because they always feel like it — they win because they choose discipline over emotion.

Self-discipline shows up when:

• You wake up early to pray or journal even when you’d rather sleep in.
• You say no to short-term pleasures to stay focused on your long-term goals.
• You follow through on what you said you would do — even when no one’s checking.

At this stage, it’s no longer about talent. It’s about training yourself to be consistent, focused, and dependable. It’s your personal commitment to your future self.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

2. Financial Literacy: Know How to Make Your Money Work

By your mid-30s, financial ignorance becomes dangerous. This is when financial pressures (mortgage, kids, retirement, debt, emergencies) begin to collide with your dreams.

And if you haven’t already, now is the time to learn the essentials of saving, investing, budgeting, and managing debt. It’s not just about making money — it’s about multiplying it and stewarding it wisely.

Financial literacy is more than just budgeting — it’s understanding how money flows, grows, and serves your purpose.

• Do you know the difference between assets and liabilities?
• Do you have a savings plan and an emergency fund?
• Are you investing — not just hoping, but building a future-proof portfolio?
• Do you understand taxes, insurance, credit, and generational wealth?

Financial knowledge gives you options. It lets you walk away from toxic jobs. It lets you invest in your kids’ future. It empowers you to be generous without guilt.

It gives you the freedom to move, invest, and say no to things that don’t align with you values. So it is important that by age 35 to 40 that we should learn, know and develop how to manage our money, plan for the future, and build wealth with purpose.

When you master money, you no longer chase survival — you position yourself for legacy.

3. Communication Skills

By 35 to 40, your words or communication has likely cost you something — a job, a friendship, or even your peace. Therefore learning how to clearly express yourself, listen deeply, and resolve conflict gracefully is important.

Whether in marriage, leadership, parenting, or business — communication is your currency. So it is of importance that investing in learning how to express yourself with emotional intelligence, timing, and truth is pivitol.

Because your ability to communicate can make or break relationships and opportunities.

As well as strong communication skills fosters connection, builds trust, and creates alignment — in your personal life, career, and business.

So mastering communication skills means:

• Speaking with clarity — not just emotion.
• Listening to understand — not just to respond.
• Being able to navigate tough conversations with grace, not aggression.
• Knowing when to speak, when to pause, and when to say nothing at all.

The better you communicate, the clearer your impact.

4. Emotional Resilience: Stay Calm in the Storm

Life is going to life. There will be moments that shake you, disappoint you, stretch you. But one of the most powerful traits you can develop is emotional resilience — the ability to stay calm, grounded, and composed under pressure.

This isn’t about suppressing emotions. It’s about processing them in healthy ways and learning how to bounce back stronger each time life knocks you down.

You’ve lived enough by now to know: life will come for your peace and bring with it Disappointments. Delays. Divorce. Loss. Rejection. Unexpected storms.

But the question isn’t will life hit — it’s how will you respond when it does?

So developing your emotional resilience is the ability to stand tall in the middle of the storm without falling apart.

This doesn’t mean faking strength or pretending everything’s okay. It means developing the tools to:

• Regulate your emotions instead of reacting impulsively.
• Process pain and disappointment in healthy ways.
• Seek help when needed — therapy, community, prayer.
• Reframe setbacks as setups for growth.

Emotionally resilient people don’t avoid pain — they grow through it, not just go through it. Resilience doesn’t mean you didn’t fall — it means you learned how to rise.

5. Health Management

Let’s be real: you can’t outrun poor health with hustle and you can’t pour from an empty cup. Your physical health is the foundation for everything else in your life. By 35 to 40, it’s time to take your fitness and nutrition seriously.

If you haven’t made your health a priority, chances are your body has started sending signals — fatigue, inflammation, weight gain, chronic stress, or burnout.

At this phase is where you must be prioritizing exercising regularly. Eating clean and with intention. Prioritizing rest. Learning what works for your body — and not just to look good, but to feel strong, clear-minded, and energized.

Health management is more than dieting or going to the gym. It’s about:

• Making fitness a lifestyle, not a punishment.
• Eating for energy, not just pleasure.
• Learning your unique body chemistry, hormones, and nutritional needs.
• Prioritizing sleep, hydration, gut health, and stress reduction.

Your body is the vessel God gave you to fulfill your purpose. Take care of it like your future depends on it — because it does. You only get one body. Make it a priority, not an afterthought.

6. A Consistent Prayer Lifestyle

This is where everything shifts.

By now, you’ve probably realized that willpower and wisdom alone aren’t enough. You need spiritual alignment, divine insight, and heavenly backing.

This is the secret weapon. A consistent prayer life isn’t just for “spiritual people” — it’s the foundation of wisdom, power, and direction. Learning how to pray effectively, meditate on scripture, and walk in the Spirit are your weapon.

A strong consistent prayer lifestyle means:

• You’re no longer operating on guesswork — you’re receiving guidance from the Source.
• You build intimacy with God through scripture, stillness, and surrender.
• You activate the gifts of wisdom, discernment, power, and peace.
• You walk in your true identity and spiritual authority.

Consistent prayer isn’t a religious checklist — it’s a lifeline. It shapes your decisions, fuels your faith, protects your peace, and keeps you centered.

A praying person is never powerless. A powerful life begins with a prayer life.

7. Healthy Relationship Intelligence

At this point in life, you start realizing: not every relationship deserves access to you. And some of the emotional chaos you experience is tied to unwise relational choices.

You’ve experienced both the blessing and the burden of relationships. But now’s the time to get intentional. By this age you must learn how to cultivate healthy boundaries, mutual respect, and real connection — whether in business, marriage, friendship, or family.

Therefor Relationship intelligence is learning to:

• Set clear boundaries — lovingly but firmly.
• Identify toxic patterns and stop repeating them.
• Build with people who align with your values and vision.
• Prioritize mutual respect, peace, and spiritual growth in all relationships — romantic, family, business, or friendships.

You don’t need everyone to like you. You just need to walk in relational wisdom, so you can protect your energy and preserve your joy.

You don’t need a lot of people. You need the right people. Invest in relationships that align with your purpose and protect your peace. Love everyone this is what scripture teaches us to do but also manage your relationships with wisdom

Relationship intelligence helps you manage connection with wisdom — not just emotion.

8. Develop Patience

Finally — build your patience. Not everything will happen when you want it to. And that’s okay. This season of your life will test your endurance, your faith, and your focus. But when you develop patience, you develop the ability to wait without anxiety and move forward without forcing outcomes because not everything you desire will show up in your timing.

And here’s the hard truth: If you don’t develop patience, you’ll end up forcing things that weren’t meant for you — or giving up on things that were.

So developing Patience is the evidence of inner maturity. It says:

• “I trust the process, even when I don’t see progress.”
• “I know the value of what I carry, so I don’t need to rush.”
• “God’s delay is not His denial — I’ll be faithful in the waiting.”

This doesn’t mean you’re passive. It means you’re not ruled by pressure. You’re anchored in faith and maturity — willing to keep planting, keep praying, and keep pushing, even when the harvest hasn’t shown up yet.

Patience isn’t passive — it’s powerful. It’s what keeps you planted until the harvest comes.

Final Thoughts:

So this isn’t just a checklist. It’s a character map. These 8 areas will shape who you become, determine how you lead, and set the tone for the legacy you leave behind.

Whether you’re already 35, approaching 40, or even beyond — it’s never too late to shift. Start where you are. Build slowly. And grow with intention.

This phase of your life is an opportunity to mature, refocus, and rise into the version of yourself you were always meant to be.

Don’t rush through this season. Lean into it. Master these 8 areas, one day at a time. And watch how your life, purpose, and power begin to align like never before.

The goal isn’t to be perfect.
The goal is to be prepared.
Prepared for impact.
Prepared to live the life you were created for.

You don’t need more time — you need more intention.
You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to be present and willing to grow.

Ready to grow in these areas?
Drop a comment below: Which of the 8 are you working on right now? Let’s grow together.