Thanks for reading. Please subscribe if you’d like the next letter in your inbox.
(notes on) Half Time
This book is quite similar to Simon Sinek’s Start with Why. Both books address a singular “life problem”, but neither gives practical down-to-earth advice on how to tackle this core problem.
Even so, I found this book an enjoyable listen.
Most likely because I am the exact target audience, a middle-aged professional who has reached a certain level of success. With two young kids, it’s hard to believe I’ve hit “half time”, but mathematically I’m dead center between graduating college and retirement. Now that I’m halfway down the path described in the book Aging Well, it’s time for a little guidance on the matter.
I think Bob Buford’s inclinations are correct. I don’t have much more to prove as an Architect. There are certainly some stretch goals that might be nice to grab. But they aren’t worth a significant input of effort that steals time away from my kids.
I’ve seen how much extra work and stress pile with each step up the hierarchy. A promotion would be flattering, but it would be hard to justify the extra time at the office. Then again, I didn’t get to this point by coasting and I certainly don’t plan to spend the next two decades just chillin’ in my cubicle. So there is a paradox that I need to resolve in my career plan.
While this book is short on practical advice, it has named the problem and defined it clearly. For that, it’s worth a read.
I should note that this book is written from an evangelical Christian perspective and Buford liberally quotes the Bible. Even though I’m no longer Christian, I spent plenty of time studying the good book so the scriptural references felt comfortably familiar. Indeed it highlighted a blind spot in my omnivorous reading appetite with my focus on eastern philosophy. The instant familiarity that comes with Christian fare can be useful in quickly grokking an author’s perspective. Maybe I should check out more of these books in my self-help meanderings.
~
A Question
How are you adjusting for the second half of your career?
Hit reply and let’s chat!
~
A Link
Losers, Pretenders, & Scoundrels is a new podcast by Andrew Heaton and Andrew Young. The episode about Victor Lustig who sold the Eiffel Tower (twice!) is a fun listen. The tenuously relevant portion (to this OPM Letter) comes at the end when they discuss Lustig’s “Ten Commandments for Conmen”, which is good general advice for developing rapport with strangers.
… and a photo.
~
Thanks for reading the OPM letter! I’d love to have a conversation if you have any feedback. I hope you found some prompts to stretch your craft and relationships as a curious Owner PM. See you next week!
Stay humble, be kind, and keep experimenting!
Justus Pang, RA