I came across the best-selling book Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance by Bob Buford in my late 30s. I loved the concepts but I was busy chasing 'success' as a young pastor of a large church in Melbourne, Australia. By my late 40s, I was what other people considered 'successful', as our church had grown by 5 times in size – from 1, 000 people attending church services each weekend to 5,000 people attending. But I was tired, very tired.
During a 3 month sabbatical in early 2012, I travelled to Dallas, USA with a business friend to attend a two day experience at the Halftime Institute. It was a meaningful time of input and interaction around thinking through what a more meaningful second half of life could look like. It was intellectually and spiritually stimulating, and incredibly practical. In an environment with people from a range of different contexts, the process forced me to work through a series of challenging questions that ultimately prepared me for my next season.
My top strength is "Learner". I get energised by learning new things that then fuel my leadership and communication gifts. However, at that time I was so busy that my inflow was about 10% and my outflow was 90%. My dream future was 50/50 – 50% inflow and 50% outflow.
In March 2016, I participated in a year long Halftime roundtable with a group of friends who are all active in the business world. This experience contributed significantly to my decision to finish up in my role of Senior Minister at the church I had grown up in and to launch out into a different future – one of greater inflow and of more focused outflow in the areas of mentoring, coaching, consulting and training leaders. I have now transitioning out of a high profile leadership role into what I believe will be my unique and best contribution. I am so glad I did!
After taking a few months off, I now feel refreshed, energised and excited about the next chapter in my life and vocation. At age 56, it's like I am just kicking into my second half … but it's not going to be a repeat of the first half. It's about doing fewer things – things that are more meaningful, that energise me, and that add greater value to others. All at a more sustainable pace and a more balanced rhythm of inflow and outflow.
Enough about me. What about you? Are you tired and a bit run down? Are you asking what the meaning and purpose of all you are doing really is? Do you long for something more than just being busy or climbing that ladder of success? Maybe it's time for you to take your own half time.
Halftime Australia is led by a good friend of mine, John Sikkema, who has his own amazing story of turning his life around from success to significance. Halftime Australia has a variety of resources and services available to assist you in your journey – from Halftime 'round tables' to retreats to executive coaching. I highly recommend the work John and his team are doing. Why not give them a call today and see how they can be of assistance to you.
You'll be glad you did!
Here's to an enjoyable and fruitful second half for you.
[If you live in the USA, check out the Halftime Institute there or read Bob's book mentioned above]