There was a post a while back that touched on our lives happening in eras (or chapters).
Here’s a snippet of my perspective from that post:
“I think the idea of eras has a more magical feel than chapters.
Same concept, different perspective.
I wonder what would happen if I tried to name my eras – like the albums of my life.
Would a story emerge?”
As I just hit the “midpoint” of this era, I’m reflecting.
I decided to explore the eras and share my observations with you to see if it inspires a reflection and activity of your own.
My Eras
In that original post, I shared that my eras aligned with the decades of my life. Below, I summarized the theme of each through the lens of my career:
- 20s – Corporate engineering & market research at General Motors.
- 30s – Client-side marketing experience still with GM, focused on Saturn.
- 40s – Agency-side marketing experience at McCann Worldgroup (MRM).
- 50s – Taking shape – details below.
Since I’m at the midpoint, I spent time thinking about the midpoints of all the eras.
I’ve realized that the “5s” in each era have been significant – a turning point.
The first five years were focused on learning and exploring. I dove into areas I didn’t understand and/or topics that were interesting and pulled me in. I read business books, met with those willing to share their knowledge, and took classes.
The second five years of each chapter were advancing both the work and my career – taking my experience up a notch to the next level.
The Current Midpoint
Of all my chapters, this midpoint is the most interesting.
All the other chapters were natural career progression and evolution. My focus was to find interesting projects, make an impact, and advance my salary & level in the organization.
This chapter, my priorities are less clear and sometimes conflict with each other.
So far this decade, I’ve held the titles of EVP, Global Business Strategy, author, freelance strategist, fractional CMO, consultant, blogger, and business owner.
Just like other eras, I’ve been digging in and learning.
That has included books on personal development and employee engagement, a year-long Sustainability Certificate program at MIT, exploring the power of AI for work & life, and more “run your own business” topics than I can mention.
Along the way, this blog has helped me frame what I’m learning and see what connects with others.
I’ve laddered on with thoughts of my own based on my experiences throughout my life & career.
My Insight at the Midpoint
The thread that is emerging for this chapter seems to be “Sustainability Strategy”:
- Sustainable Companies – All facets of the triple bottom line – profit (growth strategy), people (employee engagement strategy), and planet (environmental strategy).
- Sustainable Careers – Reducing stress, discovering purpose, and fostering engagement. Carefully navigating the path from employee to Me-EO.
- Sustainable Lives – Looking beyond our career to understand if all 8 dimensions of wellbeing are sustainable and moving in a desired direction.
- Sustainable Homes – Just like a business, focus on the moves that positively impact the triple bottom line – people, planet, and pocketbook.
I even see white space at the intersections of these areas. For example,
Sustainable Companies & Careers – Finding better ways to achieve company goals and individual career aspirations. Moving away from full-time employment norms and leveraging the power of AI to manage workloads and project staffing.
Perspectives for You
As mentioned at the beginning, This post has been a personal reflection.
My hope is that by sharing my journey and what I’m working through it will support your journey.
You might be able to look back and see the patterns in your path.
The milestones and moments that mattered.
And, most importantly, how that might shape or shift your thinking about what is next for you.
Your Turn
Have you defined the chapters of your career?
Did you see the midpoints of these chapters and/or individual roles you have held?
What is the theme of the current chapter and are you before or after the midpoint?