Each Life Decade Well Lived

We arrive at the various stages of life quite as novices.
~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld
Each decade offers obstacles and opportunities. Executive mentorย Bobb Biehl,ย author ofย Decade by Decade, believes life has these predictable stages,
Childhoodย  Seek security
Adolescenceย  Self awareness
Twentiesย  Develop survival skills
Thirtiesย  Career success
Fortiesย  Struggles and finding significance
Fiftiesย  Find oneโ€™s stride
Sixtiesย  Strong strategic thinking
Seventiesย  Nurture next leaders
Eightiesย  Savor accomplishments
Nineties plusย  Reflect and rest

TheWheelofCreativity.comย reports that, from birth to ten, “If we do not build trust, autonomy, initiative and industry in these early years, we end up developing mistrust, shame and doubt, guilt and inferiority instead. In short, we need to feel our world is safe, we can rely on ourselves, we are inherently good and we can do good in our world.โ€

Wheel of Creativityย adds, โ€œas we develop social relationships outside our families, we begin to form our own identity and gain confidence in ourselves in the world. If we donโ€™t develop this sense of self โ€“ either through too little guidance or too much control โ€“ we get confused and can spend a lifetime looking outside for someone else to tell us who we are and what we think and feel.”

Of the next three decades,ย Carrie McEachran, executive director, Mooretown, Ontario, Canada says, โ€œMy 20s taught me the true meaning of unconditional love with the birth of my two babies. Setting goals and working hard took on a whole new meaning when I became a mom.

“My 30s taught me that itโ€™s okay to put myself first sometimes. It taught me the importance of self-care for not only my own well-being, but for my children.

“My 40s are teaching me to let go of everything that has been weighing me down (negative friendships, habits, etc.). The 40s have also taught me to stop worrying about what others think.”

For the grand finale,ย โ€œThe Ultimate Checklist for Every Decade of Your Lifeโ€ย  recommends,

  • After 40, find a solid mentor and take time to reflect on how you want the last two decades of your working life to pan out. โ€ฆ build meaningful and deep relationships with peers, friends and family. Remember, this stage is all about maximizing your own potential.
  • From 50 to 60, stay relevant. Learn from those younger than you โ€“ and provide them with mentorship and guidance โ€ฆ carefully choose what you have the best shot at and commit to it.
  • Beyond 60, maintain your legacy. โ€ฆ enjoy the finer things in life. Travel the world, potter around in your garden and give back to your community. Spend time with friends you never really had enough time for in the past. Tick those remaining โ€˜to-doโ€™ things off your bucket list.

 

Along the way, remember,

There are three stages of life: youth, maturity,
and ‘My, you’re looking good!’

~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

Aging is not “lost youth”
but a new stage of opportunity and strength.

~ Betty Friedan


You’ve got to get to the stage in life where
going for it is more important
than winning or losing.

~ Arthur Ashe

 

NOTE: If a life stage disappointed, one resource can be NIH National Library of Medicineโ€™s โ€œThe Recovery Process

Succeed and Soar!

Sandra Gould Ford
Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire.

COMMENT.


Radiant Tree Booksย 

Life Well Lived offers floral photographs, wise words and invitations to see life as a garden of possibilities. This book also offers instructions for creating Illustrated Wisdoms and allows lots of space for personal notes, sketches and meditations. Here are opportunities to both enjoy lifeโ€™s seasons and find enrichment.

 

Details:

  • 8 x 10 inches
  • Sketch Journalย  [with guides and prompts]
  • 60 Pages
  • $20ย ย Preview Purchase

View All Booksย 

Thanks for shopping!

 

 

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About Founder
Sandra Gould Ford

Sandra Gould Ford is an author, educator and former steelworker who presents arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. She belongs to the Authorโ€™s Guild and Science Fiction Writers of America and is a former member of the American Society of Media Photographers. For more information, visit her web site: SandraGouldFord.com.

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