I recently came across the autobiography of Helen Hayes, ๐๐บ ๐๐ช๐ง๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ฉ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐๐ค๐ต๐ด, and it got me to thinking about how my life (and everyone’s) unfold like a play with three distinct acts …
๐๐ฐ๐ ๐: ๐ ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ต๐ฉ โ A time of exploration, discovering who we are and imagining whatโs possible.
๐๐ฐ๐ ๐๐: ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ช๐ง๐ฆ โ Building careers, relationships, and legacies, often balancing ambition with responsibility.
๐๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐: ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต โ A chapter of renewal, reflection, and crafting a meaningful “encore.”
At every stage, challenges ariseโquestions about purpose, fulfillment, and navigating transitions. But, if there is one thing I’ve learned through lived experience, three things greatly influence the amount of stress or happiness we experience at each stage:
๐ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐
โข A vision for your future, even if itโs a direction rather than a destination (something I sadly lacked in my youth)
โข A deep understanding of your values, strengths, and passions to guide your journey
๐งญ ๐ง๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐
โข A compass (vs. a map) to help navigate challenges and stay aligned with your authentic self.
โข Practical strategies to tackle obstacles and adapt as life shifts.
๐ค ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐
โข Trusted advisorsโmentors or coaches who have gone before you and can offer perspectives and act as a sounding board
โข A community–family, friends, peers who encourage and remind us, we donโt have to journey alone
As a professional coach, trainer and educator, Iโve now both, lived in all three stages, and had the honor of walking alongside youth searching for purpose, professionals striving for balance, and retirees looking to redefining the third act of life. Each act holds opportunities for growth, joy, and fulfillmentโwhen you have clarity, tools and support in your backpack for the journey.
Which act are you in? How are you preparing for your next?
