Hello ,
Christmas is nearly here. I don't know about you, but this year has gone too fast. I
By the end of this week, I will have completed my 26th podcast episode on the Wisepreneurs Podcast. Hopefully, I can have them all up by Christmas.
I set myself a target of writing one Wisepreneurs Newsletter per week and an article on LinkedIn every Wednesday. It's taken quite a bit of time to write them, using the notes I've taken over the last few years on a range of subjects and interests that I have. This newsletter item will appear on LinkedIn for my Friday LinkedIn article but will have been updated and rewritten before appearing on my website. Hopefully, my writing is beginning to improve, and my writer's voice is beginning to emerge.
Today's article is motivated by favourite business writer Charles Handy on dealing with a changing world where there's a good chance we will all be working for longer.
Embracing the Portfolio Life: Insights from Charles Handy and Others
Reimagining Life with Charles Handy
In 'The Empty Raincoat', Charles Handy,[1] one of my favourite business philosophers, guides us on challenging the traditional linear trajectory of our lives.
He introduces us to a 'portfolio life', an approach to life that advocates for diverse experiences, skills, and intellectual pursuits. This article explores how this approach offers a blueprint for thriving in an era where the boundaries of life stages are increasingly fluid.
Understanding the 'Portfolio' Approach
Handy's concept of a portfolio life is more than a theory; it's a practical lifestyle choice. Likening life to a diverse collection of stocks, he encourages us to diversify our life activities, akin to how investors spread risks and opportunities across various stocks. This approach goes beyond traditional work-life balance, advocating that we weave a tapestry of our experiences and commitments.
The 100-Year Life Perspective
In a recent Modern Wisdom Podcast [2], Andrew Scott discussed how increased longevity reshapes society.
He noted that as our lifespans extend, the traditional path of education, career, and retirement is becoming obsolete. We're moving towards multi-stage lives with various jobs, intermittent learning phases, and personal exploration. This reality underscores the importance of diverse 'assets' like skills, relationships, and health in a 100-Year Life.
Adapting to Different Life Stages
As our lifespans extend, the significance of chronological age — the number of years we've lived — diminishes, giving way to a more nuanced understanding of biological age, which reflects our physical and mental condition.
This shift prompts us to reassess traditional life stages and their related activities, advocating for an adaptable approach that aligns with our capabilities and well-being rather than our years.
The Need for Diverse Experiences
Scott's insights align with Handy's portfolio life concept, emphasising the need for varied experiences across our extended lifespans. This approach's inherent flexibility and adaptability are crucial for thriving in today's dynamic world.
Cultivating Skills for a Portfolio Life
Handy notes that skills are crucial in a portfolio life. Traditional 'portfolio workers' like electricians and plumbers demonstrate the importance of acquiring and evolving diverse skills. This adaptability is key to thriving in a portfolio life.
The Core Elements of Life's Portfolio
Our portfolio includes core elements like careers, families, and central responsibilities. While these provide stability, Handy advises not to be confined by them but rather balance them with exploratory pursuits.
Expanding Beyond the Core
Life's portfolio extends into interests, hobbies, voluntary work, and learning opportunities. Engaging in these activities for interest, personal growth, or causes enriches our lives significantly.
Intellectual Pursuits in Life's Portfolio
In her book 'Lost In Thought', Zena Hitz [3] emphasises the value of intellectual pursuits in enriching our inner life. Engaging with diverse reading materials like philosophy, historical fiction, and science fiction transforms and fosters thoughtfulness and wisdom. Each genre contributes to a well-rounded perspective.
Navigating Uncertainty with a Portfolio Approach
Adopting a 'portfolio life' builds resilience in an uncertain world. Jason Cohen's [4] concept of a 'portfolio of choices' highlights reducing reliance on predicting the future. This philosophy enhances our ability to navigate life with strategic foresight.
Balancing and Adapting in an Ever-Changing World
As we age, I'm sure we're aware of how much the world is changing and how fast, so a regular reassessment and realignment of our life's portfolio become crucial, especially in response to new opportunities or personal aspirations.
This ongoing process of adjustment not only prepares us to seize emerging opportunities effectively but enhances our ability to recognise and act upon them.
In future articles, I plan to dig deeper into how being open to diverse experiences can increase our chances of encountering fortuitous opportunities.
I'll explore the interplay between luck and our readiness to notice and take advantage of these changes, illuminating how we can better position ourselves to capitalise on life's serendipitous moments.
Integrating the Portfolio Life Philosophy
The 'portfolio life' helps us by providing a guide that brave souls might like to use to navigate our complex, long-lived society. It calls on us to diversify our experiences and skills to embrace the challenges and opportunities that a 100-Year Life will offer us.
This approach is about crafting a life rich in variety and depth, focused on personal growth and adaptability. Now is the time to reflect, reassess, and pivot, integrating the insights of Handy and others to navigate our lives with purpose and insight.
Notes
[1] Charles Handy, The Empty Raincoat
[2] Modern Wisdom Podcast episode 201with Andrew Scott, Society Has Everything Wrong About Ageing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6SYie5PA4M
[3] Zena Hitz, Lost In Thought
[4]Jason Cohen Navigating the unpredictability of everything
https://longform.asmartbear.com/predict-the-future/
Cheers
Nigel Rawlins
https://wisepreneurs.com.au/
Book now for your last chance in 2023 for a free 30-minute coaching call with me:
https://calendly.com/13thbeachmarketing/free-coaching-session
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigelrawlins/
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