I often heard that in Asia, the best age range for career is 25-35, is it similar case at your place?

Hi there,

The 25-35 range is definitely important as creates the foundation for your next years. Still:

• You can mess up / fail a lot in 25-35 and be very successful after that if you have the right attitude/persistence – in particular if you build your own business
• If you are lazy in 25-35 and do nothing, the problem is not that you were not successful – the problem is your attitude
• Most people won’t change attitude after 35 and continue with the same path. If they worked hard and failed, eventually they will likely succeed. If they were lazy, they will continue on the same path and not achieve much

For more on this, I would recommend The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy – great book dismantling the myth of “overnight success”.

Best,

Francesco

I hear such non sense all the time. Just ignore it. 

So much has changed and evolved in the world now. Age is no bar really these days to achieve what you really want to. People of this generation are very likely going to have a 40+ year careers. I have been working 15 years and there is a LOT still I need to try, learn and grow into.

Yes, 25-35 is a key decade age wise given higher energy levels, motivation & commitment. So investing your time & effort wisely is important to make the most of this period. Keep learning, trying and looking for that truly drives you. That which will allow you to give your best. Then time flies! Dont end up doing things for peer pressure, more money or for the brand of it.

I would always say that the next 5 years are most important for your career, in order to make sure you achieve the next "milestones". If you get "off track" for a few years and do not manage to get back on track, it will always be difficult to achieve your long-term ambition. Let me give a practical example: If your long-term goal is to become a CEO, your achievements in the age range of 25-35 are certainly important, in order to reach a position in the age range of 35-45, where you can demonstrate your ability to reach higher management. However, your achievements in the age range of 35-45 will be equally (if not more) important. 

Hi there,

I'd actually probably agree, on an aggregate level, though I'd change it to 22-35.

This is where:

1) You have the most energy

2) You have the fewest family commitments (kids, partners)

3) The cumulative value-add of leveling-up your income potential weighs the most (i.e. if I increase my earning potential by 50% at age 25, that increases my earnings every single year I'm alive, giving me more runway to see a huge value in the area under the curve)

4) You can stand to learn/devleop the most

Hey there!

"The best age" doesn't have to mean "the only age". And surely there are no age limits in the sphere. 25-25 might be considered as "target age", because of the reasons Ian listed, however, you can enter the consulting at any age you are ready to do so. 

If you have any other doubts - write to me!

GB

Hey there,

Not sure what the argument is based on. Yes, it is an important time to build a foundation. But so are your 30s if you want to progress and even more so your 40s, etc.

The best years are always the ones you make the most of and the ones that are yet to come. :-) it sounds like a limiting belief...

Cheers,

Florian

Hi,

I guess it depends on what you mean by ‘best’.

Generally, you are at your highest employability during this age range due to several factors. 

• You are young and therefore firms feel they have the ability to mold you and teach you new skills
• You have the motivation/energy/capacity to work hard
• You may not have as many commitments the younger you are
• You are likely to take more risks
• You are likely to be more adept to current trends/thinking

However, I guess what you need to consider is the definition of ‘best’ and what that end goal of your career is. I know many people who have joined consulting in the mid to late 30s and are now successful partners at MBB. Sure they started their consulting career ‘late’, but that didn't stop them from being successful.

Wow, that's a really interesting question. Really enjoyed also reading the answers from the other coaches. 

To add another perspective - your claim can become a belief that can then become restrictive. In reality, these things are highly individualised, so it becomes a lot about you and what you want to achieve. 

That's all that matters. 

Best,
Cristian

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Hi, there are no golden rules. The idea is that TODAY is the moment

Best,
Antonello