A friend of mine suggested the book “From Strength to Strength” for me to read. He said it was made for me. One of the reviews on it said … “To the overachievers, success addicts, and tired strivers who are fairly confident you can’t keep it up forever but will try anyway.” Another said … “Most of us strivers believe we can keep racing until we run out of road. Arthur is trying to save us pain and maximize our contributions to the species. Every ambitious person should read this.” As a self proclaimed “workaholic,” who is working on being a “reformed workaholic” the topic hit home. As I read it, it was like I was living what was written. I wondered if he author Arthur Brooks had written the book personally to me?
I realized that in living and writing about my Leap Year of Firsts I was making my way from a Strength to a Strength. I was working less, delegating more, in order to be able to have time to experience my firsts and to work on my relationships with my family and friends. I was doing as Mr. Brooks was touting. In growing and buying my business I was a workaholic. I wore it like a badge. But as you get older, I’m 64, the books points out that your effectiveness inevitably declines. What was a strength can become a weakness, unless you transition to another strength. Instead of building a business with long and hard work, it is suggested that we transition into working on your relationships and gain diverse life experiences with love. To be more “present.” To enjoy the simpler things in life, even if it is at the expense of your prior fame and fortune or “success.” Check the ego and work on what is REALLY important in life. Look to utilize your gained knowledge and success to serve others.
Hmmm! My Firsts and continued search for opportunities to do and experience firsts, with others, with love, was providing me the fulfilment and happiness the book was making note of. It was not more 16 hour days at work. I have been there and done that – many times over. I can tell you that there is a part of me that feels irrelevant or even guilty in not having my foot on the gas pedal, all the way to the floor, with my hair on fire, driving the business. I had done this for years! I have informed my partners that it is their turn. My year of firsts had delivered me to a different place. I was replacing one strength, with a different strength, as the book counsels. The book was confirming the path that I was on. And that path was all about love and appreciation of the things around me. A path to deepen the relationships that I am so fortunate to have. A path to explore and experience life more. A path of more firsts!