Our drive and ambition peaks at 33 - then drops off, says study
A midlife crisis might be dismissed as an old wives’ tale but a new study has shown there is a definitive age when we change our outlook on life.
Drive and ambition to achieve our life goals peaks at just 33 years of age, according to a study of 2,000 people by Bupa Health – before dropping off.
This is the point in life at which we are most motivated and determined to achieve in our careers and families, as well as leading a healthy lifestyle.
This is because at 33 we are more confident than we were in our twenties, have higher levels of energy than later in life, and so are able to adopt a more positive outlook, found the study.
While determination to succeed may be at its peak during our early to mid-thirties, motivation is still a struggle for most adults overall, with 50 per cent admitting it is “a battle”.
The study also found those polled currently have an average of four life goals, with saving money, eating more healthily and getting fit the most common.
The biggest barrier to people achieving their goals include not having enough money, not having enough time – and laziness.
Earlier this month a study revealed the peak of midlife unhappiness occurs at 47 years old.
The study, which was published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, assessed data from 132 countries, including 95 developing countries and 37 developed countries, to evaluate the connection between wellbeing and age.
It found regardless of economic status or location, 47 was the unhappiest age globally.
The top 20 life goals to be achieved by 33 are: to save money, eat more healthily, exercise more, relax more, drink more water, go on holiday to a dream destination, be kinder to yourself, pay off debt and carry out a DIY project.
As well as spending more time with family, drinking less, eating less meat, practice mindfulness, move house, study more, learn a new language, stop smoking, and cycle or walk to work.
Dr Naveen Puri from Bupa said: “Drive plays an important role in achieving our goals no matter what they are. Of course, everyone wants to reach their goals but doing so isn’t always as easy as we think.
