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Turning 30 in 30
08 Mar 2004 by Jason Fried
On April 7 I turn 30. I can’t decide if I really care or not (and since I don’t have any choice it really doesn’t matter). It’s slighty weird to think I won’t be “in my 20s” anymore though (and some people think I’m already over the hill). But, I love a challenge and there’s always something energizing and liberating about starting over at 0 (we get, what, about 6-8 chances at a 0?). There’s lots of opportunity in 0. I like what I see around the corner…
The one thing I do know is that I’ve changed a ton over the past 10 years. From graduating from the University of Arizona, to blowing out my knee and two reconstructive knee surgeries (and then fully recovering), to moving to San Diego (then to San Francisco then back to Chicago), to girlfriends and ex-girlfriends, to founding two companies, to buying my first house, to losing two incredible business partners, to amazing friends made and lost, to my first trip to Europe, to a better relationship with my parents (I can be difficult), to humbling experiences, to retiring Audiofile, Videofile, and Bookbin, to thinking big but never being blinded by quixotism, to finding out what I’m good and bad at, to those moments when you realize you don’t know as much as you thought you did, to getting over a fear of public speaking, to making mistakes (learning from some and repeating others), to participating in writing a book, to building an influential brand from scratch, to principals and doing what I believe in, to making very difficult life/business decisions, to confidence and trust and respect, to seeing people at their best and their worst, to good timing and good luck, to opportunities I’ve been given that I’ll never forget, to seeing places I’ve never seen and doing things I’ve never done.
All-in-all, I’m quite proud of my accomplishments in my 20s and look forward to trumping them in my 30s. Here’s to always improving.
And, of course, thanks to all of you for allowing me to do what I do everyday. Signal vs. Noise has played, and continues to play, a critical role in the success of 37signals.
18 comments so far (Post a Comment)
08 Mar 2004 | ~bc said...
Praise be to Fried!
[OK, I had no idea what to comment here, so that'll have to do]
08 Mar 2004 | CM Harrington said...
Happiest of wishes to you on your upcoming B-Day!
Cheers!
..and to at least 40 more
08 Mar 2004 | Mark Fusco said...
The 30's marked a turning point in my life. I matured in most areas of my life seemingly overnight, changed the people I hung out with, met the girl I would eventually marry, suffered the loss of my mom, oversaw (watched) the construction of my first new home, celebrated the birth of my son who's now 3-1/2, and began a part-time caretaker role of my dad who's been discovered to have late-term diabetes and has restricted driving priveledges because of a couple of seizures.
In July, I'll be 41. Strangely, turning 40 really didn't bother me (black theme and all) but, 41 has a ring of oldness to it.
From your post, you had a number of experiences in your 20's, that most people don't. You have obviously been blessed and enriched. The 30's should be a good time for you as you've apparently set a good foundation going in.
Happy upcoming birthday.
08 Mar 2004 | Arne G said...
Its remarkable how digits can elicit strong emotions. Maybe if we all practice base conversions on a regular basis we can lose this decimal bias (youre barely halfway to the double digits in a sexagesimal number scheme). Or maybe a punctuation of deep introspection every ten years is equally good for all.
Happy 30th.
08 Mar 2004 | Fredclef said...
Congratulations on your impending birthday milestone of 30 years of age. I am so in awe of your accomplishments, trials, tribulations, fame and failures and you incredible ability to learn, grow and relate candidly about them.
But you are just turning 30, and for me, it was alot like turning 25, only five years wiser, smarter, more seasoned, more defined.
You and 37Signals have been a great influence over me and my learning and designing life that I would never have even begin to have pushed myself to want to learn more about design for the internet. Thank you for inspiring me to be better and to not settle for being mundane.
It is my solem wish for you all of your endeavors continue to allow you great success in your life and may you continue to share, explore and grow to be the best that you can be.
All the while, sharing with us.
Thank you and Happy Birthday,
Sincerely a great fan,
Frederick Polk
P.S.: You definately have been blessed and your desire to stive to be better each day has given you a great opportunity to touch peoples lives in the best way you know how, but you are JUST turning 30.
Simply, It gets greater, later.
08 Mar 2004 | Don Schenck said...
Age.
When you reach 40, you're as close to 60 as to 20.
I'll be 45 in May. It strikes me as getting old, because 50 is so close. Then again, I'm in fantastic shape and quite active and enjoying life more and more all the time. My battle with ongoing depression is going *my* way!
Jason, I read once that at age 30 you can no longer flirt with high-school-aged girls. Too bad for you :-(.
But at age 30 you are no longer consider "a kid" by older folks, which can be great for business.
"Let no man despise thy youth ..." 1 Timothy 4:12 -- Paul's great advice to Timothy, and my advice to you, Jason.
08 Mar 2004 | hp said...
I am turning 31 on April 7 and, so far, this 30s business has been pretty good for me.
Happy birthday and all the best.
08 Mar 2004 | but that's just me said...
I'm going through the same thing. I will be 30 in August. Part of me is sad that I am really no longer a "hot young thing." Of course, that may be different for women. Society is very unforgiving when it comes to a woman with wrinkles and other age markers. Another part of me is excited about this new decade of my life (just as you mentioned). And I am already beginning to notice the emergence of true respect that I never had before from those older than I am.
Have a very happy birthday and just remember that life is what you make it, no matter what age you are.
08 Mar 2004 | Don Schenck said...
Aimee, swing over to my blog (WeAlreadyHaveOne.blogspot.com) and look in the archives for my short blog about numbers. I think you'll appreciate it.
08 Mar 2004 | Michael said...
Hi Jason,
Seems like I'm the youngest contributor so far, turning 25 on 25 (April) which means five more years to get lots of impressions and experience.
I think it's great what you accomplished in the last years and since I met Scott at CU Boulder 37signals is an everyday inspiration for me. And I'm sure there are many people who think so out there and that might be one of the best "presents" you can have. People who like what you do.
Go on like that and enjoy your last 29er days.
Michael
08 Mar 2004 | Slip said...
I am still young and I am amazed every year when it comes to my birthday, I just cant even imagen 30. :)
08 Mar 2004 | Mark Fusco said...
Slip -
If you cannot even conceive of being 30, I am amazed that you have any concept of what that device is that is pictured in the header of your site. ;)
08 Mar 2004 | One of several Steves said...
I didn't find turning 30 to be any big deal, either. And, on the whole, I've enjoyed my 30s a lot more than my 20s. You're old enough where you've finally got some things figured out, but you're still pretty young in the grand scheme of things.
I hit 34 two weeks after your 30th. That's the first one that's starting to sound - well, not old, but definitely not young. Because I can't claim to be in my early 30s anymore. I'm square on mid-30s.
Just be sure to celebrate in typical 30s fashion - have a couple beers, realize you're too damn tired and go to bed early.
08 Mar 2004 | Don Schenck said...
Martha gets convicted, and Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens) walks. Frickin' AMAZING.
09 Mar 2004 | Mike said...
I'm turning 21 on March 26, and I think that ranks right up there with one of those "big birthdays" just like you turning 30.
My twenties are still ahead of me, so we'll see if I can be lucky enough to accomplish what you (and many other great influences in our industry) have accomplished in their twenties.
You've put up quite the precedent let's compare notes in ten years ;)
10 Mar 2004 | Ian McFarlan said...
Happy Birthday. Still haven't grasped an understanding of being over twenty yet - I'm still 18.
Here's to at least a score more.
11 Mar 2004 | Bob Stewart said...
I'm 51. My thirties are a distant, but very fond memory. At 31 I was married, had started a family (both daughters in University now) and was right in the midst of a developing professional life and career. No regrets. Life is still good, too. Lots more to do. Bob Dylan said it best. "May you stay forever young."
12 Mar 2004 | Don Schenck said...
Wow ... Bob, get this: I got married at 19, had our first child (Erika, the light of my life) 14 months later, then a son two years later (the joy and laughter in my life) and haven't looked back.
I *had* to get married early ... I couldn't *buy* a date.
