According to best-selling author Bob Buford, “halftime” is something all successful people will go through.
But it’s not just a break in the action to rest and re-group for the second half of the same game. It’s more like a type of career detox, or midlife renewal for the second half. We’re not talking about a football game here. We’re talking about the game of life. Specifically, developing a new game plan for the rest of your life.
In his book simply titled Halftime, Buford says, “After a successful first half, I needed a break to make some changes in how I played the second half. I wasn’t burned out or frustrated, but I felt something was missing and I needed to change my game plan.”
How about you? Have you had some success in your first half, but you find yourself asking the question, “Is this really all there is?” If so, Bob Buford says you’re in “halftime.” And if you’re going to truly win in the second half you need to consider making a paradigm shift from success to significance.
In a recent USA Today article (click here to view article in its entirety), Buford, who was personally mentored by Peter Drucker, shared some tips that he’s learned in his second half journey. Here’s my personal favorites:
- Halftime is more like archaeology than architecture – Much of what you need to know to plan your second half is inside your heart and mind already. This journey requires the time and discipline to dig it out.
- You can’t do it alone – you need…
- Personal one-on-one coaching – even the fastest swimmer in the world has a coach. You’ll benefit from one, too.
- Peers around you to make progress on the journey – they’ll bring much needed perspective and accountability.
I was fortunate to discover this book about fifteen years ago, and I’ve read it many times since. It occupies a spot on “my three favorite books” list. Not only was it a great read, but it was transformational, as it helped me prepare for a near-death encounter that took place in December of 2013 (read story here).
This book is for you if you’ve been pondering questions like these:
- Is this really all there is?
- What will be my legacy?
- Are my most important and greatest contributions behind me or ahead of me?
- What will I do with my time and talents in my second half?
- What do I have to contribute for the “greater good?”
- Do I have to leave my corner office to join the Peace Corps?
Not only did I read the book and begin to apply the principles, I was blessed to be able to establish a friendship with the author, spending several days in an intimate setting with he and a few other “halftimers” to listen to their life stories and plans for the future. Their narratives inspired me, as did their aspirations for their second halves.
Perhaps Gresham Barrett, former U.S. Congressional Representative from South Carolina said it best, “The most insignificant score is the score at halftime.” After all, it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish that counts!
How will you finish?
EXTRA: We’ve made arrangements with author Bob Buford and his organization to make this book available to anyone who would like to receive a complimentary copy. To order your free copy click here: Complimentary Halftime Book.
Bill Edmonds is an “Outside-Insider” (an Executive Coach and Consultant), who works with leaders to help them reach their full potential in the areas of organizational and personal development. He spent 24 years with Merrill Lynch until his retirement in 2014, where he led a $100+ million per year revenue wealth management business unit as a Director with the firm.
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