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30 Things to Do When You Turn 30
30 Things To Do When You Turn 30 is part of the successful series that celebrates milestone birthdays. The perfect gift book for anyone celebrating their 30th birthday! The Milestone Series makes great gifts to mark these important life events. Better than just a greeting card or bunch of balloons, they offer meaningful advice and insight from those who've been there, on getting the most from the days ahead. Turning thirty is considered a milestone by many. No matter what you did in your twenties, you may wish for some advice on what to do now. This collection presents thirty thoughtful and thought-provoking possibilities and includes contributions from such fascinating achievers as Jessica Flannery (cofounder of Kiva.org), Douglas Merrill (VP at Google), Chris Webber (NBA star), Amy Richards (author, feminist), Daniel Bernard Roumain (violinist/musical innovator), Jennifer 8. Lee (writer, former New York Times reporter), Vivek Shah (president of fortune/Money Digital Publishing), Teresa Williamson (founder of TangoDiva and author of Flying Solo), Jen MacNeil (author of jen365/in the new blog), Alex Jamieson (author of The Great American Detox Diet), KT Tunstall (singer/songwriter), and many more. Thanks to the generosity of the contributing authors, more than $350,000 has been generated in royalties from the sales of the Milestone Series, and donated to charities dedicated to cancer research and prevention.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2008
19 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 2, 2022
Not going to lie, this book was not what I was expecting.
I thought this was going to be some cool list of 30 things you should do and how you can achieve them. Instead, this was a book of short essays about what other famous or rich people have done and why you should do something kind of similar to them.
The book itself is really good - I found the stories intriguing. The marketing and explanation of this book is poor. Telling me how a rich and famous person made a company before they were 40 is cool, but doesn't help me much. It's motivational, but in very specific ways.
Overall, great read, poor marketing.
Two out of five stars.
I thought this was going to be some cool list of 30 things you should do and how you can achieve them. Instead, this was a book of short essays about what other famous or rich people have done and why you should do something kind of similar to them.
The book itself is really good - I found the stories intriguing. The marketing and explanation of this book is poor. Telling me how a rich and famous person made a company before they were 40 is cool, but doesn't help me much. It's motivational, but in very specific ways.
Overall, great read, poor marketing.
Two out of five stars.
May 3, 2011
As I write this review, my 30th birthday is less than 2 weeks away and I have been dealing with a plethora of emotions. It seems as if this book made its way to me at just the right time. The essays were short, but to-the-point, and while I didn't agree with the perspective of each person (and one section I even skipped--Rachel Sklar's "Buck up, Look Good and Explore Your Options"--within the first paragraph I knew it wouldn't apply to me...), by the close I felt comforted and encouraged. Ready to embrace my new identifier.
It's not particularly deep and I read it in an afternoon curled up on my couch. But I'm glad I picked it up.
There were two essays that spoke to me in particular, "Take Stock" by Leigh Standley and "Leave Behind Traditional Ways of Thinking" by Tamara Conniff. Both women speak on being open and confident and allowing yourself to be present in your 30s. If I only take one thing away from this book I hope it is that lesson--to learn to enjoy life as it unfolds instead of living in a constant state of "what if."
Here's to being 30.
Here's to be unstoppable.
It's not particularly deep and I read it in an afternoon curled up on my couch. But I'm glad I picked it up.
There were two essays that spoke to me in particular, "Take Stock" by Leigh Standley and "Leave Behind Traditional Ways of Thinking" by Tamara Conniff. Both women speak on being open and confident and allowing yourself to be present in your 30s. If I only take one thing away from this book I hope it is that lesson--to learn to enjoy life as it unfolds instead of living in a constant state of "what if."
Here's to being 30.
Here's to be unstoppable.
October 13, 2017
boring
March 29, 2019
Trite. Pointless. Don't know why I bothered to finish, and I did end up skimming some of the essays. I was just hoping for some inspiration and encouragement, but got mostly self-important drivel.
May 17, 2013
This is a collection of 30 essays about things to do when you are 30. They range from very self centered 'look at this totally awesome thing I did by the time I was 30' with very little useful advice to words of wisdom- give back to the community, cut the caffeine, begin working out now to build a lifetime of fitness habits- back to useless- invest in the housing market. (If I had the money to invest in the housing market, I wouldn't be a 33 year old living in an apartment reading books about what to do with my life.
I would not recommend this book to anyone and would probably be insulted if someone gave it to me because they obviously did not actually read it.
There is some useful advice in this book. I just think it's more a borrow from the library than actually pay money and put it on your personal bookshelf sort of book.
I would not recommend this book to anyone and would probably be insulted if someone gave it to me because they obviously did not actually read it.
There is some useful advice in this book. I just think it's more a borrow from the library than actually pay money and put it on your personal bookshelf sort of book.
May 25, 2021
If you want you can read this for ideas for their suggestions of what you should do before you turn 30. This book doesn't really seem to take into account that most people's life journey is on a different track. They assume most people are at a certain place with career, life,kids, financial stability, etc.
Ultimately in the end everyone should write their own to do list before your 20,,25, 30, 35, 40, etc.
Whatever you want. Don't let them make you feel like you're inadequate if your life isn't on track because you haven't accomplish certain things.
Ultimately in the end everyone should write their own to do list before your 20,,25, 30, 35, 40, etc.
Whatever you want. Don't let them make you feel like you're inadequate if your life isn't on track because you haven't accomplish certain things.
August 1, 2012
This large fonted book features many essays from celebrities and successful people. It is unfortunate that not many of them are good writers. Most essays are vaguely inspirational and full of cliche's. Many also contradict each other. Still, having just turned 30, the book made me think about my life up to this point and my future in a positive way.
October 23, 2017
I've had this book on my shelf for awhile, likely a year or two. I picked it up a few weeks ago and found myself entertained by the advice these thirty-ers had to give on living life and lots on making it meaningful...definitely some good advice I plan to take.
April 18, 2021
My sister gave this book to me for my 30th birthday and I feel compelled to read books that are given to me as gifts, and as well-intentioned this may be, this book should come with a warning that it could have the opposite intended effect of inspiration.
It can feel quite demotivating to read "inspirational" essays written almost exclusively by people from "30 Under 30" business and finance magazine lists - some authors admitting they were 27 at the time of their essay - Harvard graduates, business magnates, real estate moguls and wealthy heirs.
Quite a few essays feel written from tone deaf places of privilege - "I just looked at the different faces on that train, thinking that every one of those people had their own problems. It comes down to the question of how big they let their problems loom. The problems that seem big today could be very small tomorrow" - No, some problems do not become smaller with "better perspective". That was from the essay written by Jared Kushner.
It was amusing to read Kushner's essay given his current notoriety, but more surprising was his description of his father's crimes: "He was caught up in a crazy situation, he made a bad decision, and as a result I saw my whole world change." Charles Kushner was convicted of felony crimes of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering which came from, to quote Wikipedia, "Kushner's act of retaliation against William Schulder, his sister Esther's husband, who was cooperating with federal investigators against Kushner. Kushner hired a prostitute he knew to seduce his brother-in-law, arranged to record a sexual encounter between the two, and had the tape sent to his sister." A crazy situation. A bad decision. Indeed.
A few other essays read also as thinly veiled sales pitches: the importance of investing in real estate, by a real estate mogul; the importance of a fitness routine by a fitness instructor; the importance of travel by a travel writer, etc.
Perhaps I'm just too cynical at 30? And yet a few essays felt more sincere, down to earth, and touching. I was most affected by the essays of former professional athletes, Chris Webb and Adam Taliaferro, who gained perspective not only from their career but also in recovering from debilitating setbacks or injuries that cut careers short. Senior Google executive Douglas Merrill wrote of his relationship with his late wife who died tragically from cancer in her 30s. Perhaps others will find these and other essays as or more inspiring than I did. The book was well-intentioned and well-organized, and profits from it contributed to nonprofits in cancer research and treatment. It was interesting to read from "30 under 30" stars, and if it doesn't inspire a drive for success in spite of one's own lack of Ivy League degrees or opportunities in executive positions, it does allow for contemplation and reflection on one's own experiences of 30 years and one's outlook for future opportunities and life choices.
It can feel quite demotivating to read "inspirational" essays written almost exclusively by people from "30 Under 30" business and finance magazine lists - some authors admitting they were 27 at the time of their essay - Harvard graduates, business magnates, real estate moguls and wealthy heirs.
Quite a few essays feel written from tone deaf places of privilege - "I just looked at the different faces on that train, thinking that every one of those people had their own problems. It comes down to the question of how big they let their problems loom. The problems that seem big today could be very small tomorrow" - No, some problems do not become smaller with "better perspective". That was from the essay written by Jared Kushner.
It was amusing to read Kushner's essay given his current notoriety, but more surprising was his description of his father's crimes: "He was caught up in a crazy situation, he made a bad decision, and as a result I saw my whole world change." Charles Kushner was convicted of felony crimes of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering which came from, to quote Wikipedia, "Kushner's act of retaliation against William Schulder, his sister Esther's husband, who was cooperating with federal investigators against Kushner. Kushner hired a prostitute he knew to seduce his brother-in-law, arranged to record a sexual encounter between the two, and had the tape sent to his sister." A crazy situation. A bad decision. Indeed.
A few other essays read also as thinly veiled sales pitches: the importance of investing in real estate, by a real estate mogul; the importance of a fitness routine by a fitness instructor; the importance of travel by a travel writer, etc.
Perhaps I'm just too cynical at 30? And yet a few essays felt more sincere, down to earth, and touching. I was most affected by the essays of former professional athletes, Chris Webb and Adam Taliaferro, who gained perspective not only from their career but also in recovering from debilitating setbacks or injuries that cut careers short. Senior Google executive Douglas Merrill wrote of his relationship with his late wife who died tragically from cancer in her 30s. Perhaps others will find these and other essays as or more inspiring than I did. The book was well-intentioned and well-organized, and profits from it contributed to nonprofits in cancer research and treatment. It was interesting to read from "30 under 30" stars, and if it doesn't inspire a drive for success in spite of one's own lack of Ivy League degrees or opportunities in executive positions, it does allow for contemplation and reflection on one's own experiences of 30 years and one's outlook for future opportunities and life choices.
July 3, 2024
Out of the 30 essays in this book, I'd say maybe 4 are good. The book is a little dated, with references to iPods and Joe Paterno being a great guy, and of course an essay by Jared Kushner about how hard his life was when he took over a multi-million-dollar company in his 20s. Many of the "inspiring" stories took great leaps of logic that make the reader wonder if the author really made savvy life choices, or just had enormous privilege granted to them from the start. A lot of humble bragging. Not really an uplifting read, and not really any original advice either. On the other hand, It was a quick read.
January 27, 2021
I received this as a gift for my 30th Birthday but didn’t read it until now (almost 3 years later.. oops!). It’s a quick read, but not much substance to it. A few of the “essays” in it had some value and a solid message but not worth reading the whole book for.
June 22, 2017
Okay variety of stories. Easy read. Nice stories although not that inspiring.
July 17, 2018
There were one or two opinions in this book, I enjoyed reading. The rest were kind of boring. Quick read.
July 1, 2024
Found this in a neighbourhood little library! It's a pretty random collection of essays, without much through line. But, it's easy and enjoyable.
May 9, 2025
it's a fun, quick read for those turning 30. I enjoyed some of the advice people gave in the book!
October 28, 2025
Some stories spoke to me, some I felt very uninspired by. Looking for purpose in life so it didn’t hurt.
May 28, 2020
Ergeltiin tseg ruugee oroh gej baigaa buyu 30 nasnii bosgiig udahgui davah gj bga hvmvvs unshih yostoi nomnuudiin neg ni munuusuu mun bailaa.
March 14, 2022
Leading up to my 30th birthday, I felt a lot of emotions. The morning of the big day, my mom surprised me with this book.
The pages are filled with essays from individuals who achieved success in some way, shape or form.
It was interesting, for the most part, but I found several stories to be clichéd. I was surprised there were a few essays written by individuals who have not yet turned 30 🤔
It would have been interesting if instead of only interviewing successful individuals, they included some of us average, or below average, folk in the conversation!
I will say, on a positive note, some of the topics brought up are things I've thought of a lot since my birthday happened. Reading about these topics gave me a sense of reassurance that I'm on the right path and that I'm not alone.
I'm not sure if I would buy this for my loved ones on the cusp of turning 30, but it was an easy read to pass the time.
The pages are filled with essays from individuals who achieved success in some way, shape or form.
It was interesting, for the most part, but I found several stories to be clichéd. I was surprised there were a few essays written by individuals who have not yet turned 30 🤔
It would have been interesting if instead of only interviewing successful individuals, they included some of us average, or below average, folk in the conversation!
I will say, on a positive note, some of the topics brought up are things I've thought of a lot since my birthday happened. Reading about these topics gave me a sense of reassurance that I'm on the right path and that I'm not alone.
I'm not sure if I would buy this for my loved ones on the cusp of turning 30, but it was an easy read to pass the time.
August 20, 2015
I received this book as a gift for my 30th birthday. I was hopeful about how interesting it would be but revised my expectations after reading some of the reviews. And a good thing, too, because I agree with what others have said.
While there may have been one or two good pieces of advice in the pages, the essays seemed to be, for the most part, about showing off what this or that person had accomplished by the time they reached 30.
Half the essays were written by people that had barely just turned 30 (one was even written by a man who starts off by saying he is 27!). I felt like most of the essays were about things you should have accomplished by the time you reach thirty. Some were also contradictive. Some seemed to be pushing very specific agendas (one all about buying real estate property, one about kicking your caffeine addiciton, one saying you have to work out to be healthy...).
All in all... this book was very meh.
While there may have been one or two good pieces of advice in the pages, the essays seemed to be, for the most part, about showing off what this or that person had accomplished by the time they reached 30.
Half the essays were written by people that had barely just turned 30 (one was even written by a man who starts off by saying he is 27!). I felt like most of the essays were about things you should have accomplished by the time you reach thirty. Some were also contradictive. Some seemed to be pushing very specific agendas (one all about buying real estate property, one about kicking your caffeine addiciton, one saying you have to work out to be healthy...).
All in all... this book was very meh.
November 26, 2012
There were a few gems in this book, including the essays by the founder of Kiva and 4-Hour Workweek, which had useful insights about pursuing your dreams and thinking outside the box in achieving your goals. However, most of the essays were very cliche and a few even seemed self-serving, basically promoting the business or industry that that author was in. Many of the writers were extremely accomplished, but sadly their essays didn't provide much insight into how they had thrived or any tips beyond very generic ones.
May 26, 2009
I picked up this book at the library because I thought now was a better time than ever to read a book about turning thirty. This book is a collection of essays by "achievers" on their advice on what to do with your fourth decade. I found some essays entertaining and inspiring, others hardly worth the time to read. I would recommend about half of this book to be read on vacation on a beach.
May 12, 2014
These essays are a rollercoaster when just about to turn thirty. I gained a bunch, but I do think it isn't for the faint of heart and not a great gift idea for someone turning thirty. It might be better titled: "29 Things You Wished You Had Done Before 30 (Because You Are Bound To Be Getting One of These Right)"
June 16, 2012
this book was funny, essays were short. good read. favorite line from the book: the first thing to do when you turn thirty is get over it. seriously. yes you had your fun on your twenties. yes, you looked great. you were also, if i may, probably an idiot.
January 16, 2013
Okay so maybe I read this a few yrs to late but the message is great. Go out there and make something of yourself. The world is yours to discover and life doesn't need to end at 30. It's only the beginning of another amazing chapter and journey.
February 28, 2009
Where else can you read something from me AND KT Tunstall...
December 28, 2009
A good book to read as you enter your next decade. The essays were short and it was an easy read.
March 9, 2011
I didn't find this book all that interesting, and most of the essays were boring. I don't recommend this book.
April 23, 2013
Great pointers for a crucial moment in life
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews