Daily insights for city builders, delivered every morning at 6 AM ET. I’m Brandon Donnelly — a Toronto-based real estate developer and founder of Globizen. I’ve been writing here since 2013.

Forty

Today is my fortieth birthday. And despite a noble attempt to avoid having meetings today, I spent a big chunk of the day in them. Thankfully, I was also fortunate to spend a lot of time with family, friends, and colleagues (see evidence above).

This is a birthday where I think I’m supposed to feel things. And I do. I’m grateful for the wonderful people that I get to have in my life and who love me. I feel lucky that I get to wake up every day and do something I love. And I’m genuinely excited for this next decade.

It is, however, true that time does speed up. It feels like just yesterday that I was 30 years old. I had just finished my MBA. I was about to start writing this daily blog (yes it’s nearly a decade old). And I was trying to figure out how to make an impact on the world.

Maybe not much has changed. It’s not in my nature to feel complacent. But there is something nice about getting older and feeling more confident with yourself and your abilities.

If anything, birthdays are a good reminder that time is precious. We only have so many weeks. So we shouldn’t feel shy about asking the world for what we want. I think that’s what I’m feeling most this birthday, and I view that as an exciting thing. So here’s to forty years.

4 responses to “Forty”

  1. Judith Martin Avatar
    Judith Martin

    Happy birthday! For me it seems a long time ago. Certainly the world has changed. I’m sorry for wh

  2. Ella Avatar
    Ella

    Happy birthday 🎂🥹

  3. Tanya Rosenberg Avatar
    Tanya Rosenberg

    Hey there, happy birthday! I hope 40 is everything you hope for!

  4. Paul Ching Lee Avatar
    Paul Ching Lee

    Happy birthday, Brandon, from the West Coast. 40 is a start.

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