Mapping the 100-year Life
“When are you retiring?”, is a question I often get. Many people anticipate that I will follow the traditional life map and retire sometime in the next 5-7 years. A few of my friends have already done so. When I explain that I plan to work for some time and might even consider doing something else in the next decade they are surprised. Many of them are following the traditional, linear map of life that plans for retirement at age 65. However, there is a newer life map that is emerging.
From the start of the Doctor of Leadership and Global Perspectives (DLGP) program, Dr. Clark has underscored the significance of creating metaphorical maps as we engage with various authors and topics. These maps serve multiple purposes: they describe the terrain, provide insights into our position relative to the landscape, and facilitate the planning of a deliberate course from our current location to our desired destination.
One such significant map is presented in the book The One Hundred Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the world we inhabit, particularly in the context of increased life expectancy and the implications it has on our personal and professional lives.
In this blog post, I will look at our current location, examining the present state of our lives and careers in the context of longevity. I will then explore the landscape, identifying the key challenges and opportunities that arise from living longer lives. Finally, I will propose strategies to help us navigate this journey, offering practical advice on how to make the most of the extended lifespan that many of us can expect to enjoy. Through this exploration, we will gain a clearer understanding of how to effectively map out our lives in an age of unprecedented longevity.
Our Location: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore
A child born in 1914 had a mere 1 percent chance of living to the ripe old age of 100. In stark contrast, an American child born in 2007 is projected to have a 50% chance of still being alive at 104 years old.[1] This remarkable shift in life expectancy can be attributed to the systematic efforts of the medical community in combating diseases that threaten human existence. The authors note, “Since 1840 there has been an increase of three months for every year. That’s two or three years of life for every decade.”[2] What this means is that, if things progress, the younger we are now the longer we will likely live. This is where we are. How will the increased time, then, become a gift rather than a curse?
The reality of a longer life should cause us to think about approaching life differently.
Our Landscape: Understanding The Surrounding and Changing Terrain
As a result of a longer life the authors argue that the traditional, linear three-stage life model of education, work, and retirement will become obsolete. Therefore, a multistage life should become the framework, or map, around which we should approach life, and around which societies should plan. Instead, it advocates for a non-linear, multi-stage life where individuals continuously transition between periods of education, work, and leisure. This approach allows for greater flexibility and adaptability, enabling people to pursue multiple careers and lifelong learning.
The challenges of this approach are such things as financing, a changing job market, and health. Yet opportunities abound to build a rich and satisfying life with multiple opportunities and no one size fits all solution. The authors write, “In fact, one of the major conclusions about the 100-year life is that there will be considerable diversity in the lifestyle and life path that people will choose and this will reflect both their personal preferences and their circumstances.”[3]
If this all seems fraught with challenges, it is. However, the authors do present us with strategies to help us navigate this multi-staged life. While the authors do identify other strategies, I’d like to highlight two.
Plotting The Course: Two Strategies That Help Us Receive Increased Time as a Gift
Planning Well
The first strategy to navigate the new framework is careful planning in financial and non-financial matters. They write, “A life well lived requires careful planning in order to balance the financial and the non-financial, the economic and the psychological, the rational and the emotional. Getting your finances right is essential to a 100-year life, but money is far from being the most important resource. Family, friendships, mental health and happiness are all crucial components.”[4] While it’s not all about financial planning, the authors do stress this as an important factor. A longer life will require more financing, and this will require more savings or working well beyond the age of 65.[5] While this seems obvious, most people I know do not make enough income to increase their monthly savings. The finances required to live the way they are proposing favors the wealthy, likely dual income households.
Managing Transitions
A key skill will be the skill of navigating transitions. Scott and Gratton highlight, “With more stages there will be more transitions. This is important because right now few people are able or skilled to make these multiple transitions.”[6] William Bridges has written a helpful book on the issue of navigating the perils of all transitions. In Managing Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, Bridges maps out the transition journey. He writes, “all transitions are composed of (1) an ending, (2) a neutral zone, and (3) a new beginning.” [7] Each of these stages must be recognized, embraced and addressed if we are going to journey through a transition well. It seems that we need to be prepared to learn how to deal with loss, embrace liminality and welcome new beginnings as a regular part of our experience. This is not just a coping strategy, but rather Bridges grounds his approach in a theory of personal development. This theory views transition as a natural process of moving through disorientation toward a new orientation with opportunities for growth at the major turning points in a transition.[8] That means that the map of a 100-year life, while filled with challenge will also be full of opportunities for growth. Rather winding down at “retirement age” the 100-year life presents us with the opportunity for ongoing growth. According to Scott and Gratton this skill of navigating transitions will be a key skill to hone if we are going to receive this added time as a gift.
While I don’t plan on retiring soon, I don’t plan on living to the age of 1oo either. However, I do love the idea of ongoing growth, and thinking about living the kind of life that is constantly evolving through the various stages of life. I also love the idea of continuing to contribute to others as I grow.
As I close, I have some questions that I am left with that would be worth exploring.
- What are the implications for those who are living an eternal life based on Jesus promise of life to the full through faith in him (John 10.10)? How would these maps be different? How might they be similar?
- What are the implications for church leaders? How do we steward the people we lead? How do we help people steward their lives well?
- What are the implications for my children and grandchildren? How might I help them get prepared now?
[1] Lynda Gratton and Andrew J. Scott, The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity (London ; New York, NY: Bloomsbury Business, 2017). Kindle. 15
[2] Gratton and Scott. Kindle.16.
[3] Gratton and Scott. Kindle. 121.
[4] Gratton and Scott. Kindle. 5.
[5] Gratton and Scott. Kindle.27.
[6] Gratton and Scott. Kindle. 6.
[7] William Bridges, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes (New York: Hachette Books, 2019).Kindle.5
[8] Bridges. Kindle.5.
About the Author
Graham English
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa 30 minutes from Table Mountain, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. My family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada where I spent my teen years, met Wendy, and got married. We now live on the Canadian prairies in northern Alberta. I think God has a sense of humour. I'm a follower of Jesus, work in leadership and church development, love my family and walk a lot.13 responses to “Mapping the 100-year Life”
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Graham,
But… when will you retire?
This is good to read and you map this out well. Is there a way that you might have changed direction due to this book? Or, is there something you might want to do? For instance, I went and increased my retirement by 1%. It isn’t much but I am sure I won’t notice it much right now and it will be helpful for me in the end.
Adam, who knows when I retire, It’s not a financial decision as much as my desire to continue to contribute in meaningful ways as long as I am able.
I think the book has affirmed my approach in many ways. Part of my desire to do this program is to reposition myself to do some teaching at a seminary level.
Great post and questions, Graham!
In regards to transitions, what connections do you see in helping pastors transition into and out of roles in your work with them?
Ryan, we try to coach pastors and churches on the 3 stages of transition – loss, disorientation and new beginnings. Each transition consists of these three stages, even if they are positive. Many of our pastors/churches are not prepared for for the emotional journey. Have a timely conversation with boards and pastors is a very helpful practice.
The other component is finances. We have not done anything in the area to prepare people for transitions.
I like your thoughfulness on this Graham. As you have posed questions, have you come to any initial thought of how you would answer them? For me a key element is having a life that is lived to honor God’s call on our lives. Most everything else will flow from that, just my thought. Peace.
Diane, I was reflecting a lot on Jesus offer of ‘life to the full’ in John 10.10. From our perspective, fullness of life is not dependent on life circumstances, finances, longevity etc. but found in relationship with him. The three stage life plan is definitely what Jesus has in mind for a satisfying life.
With regards to my questions, I really haven’t given a tonne of thought to these but I did appreciate the author’s naming what I had been sensing anyway. It helps to give me a map as I consider these.
Hi Graham,
In your understanding, what strategies do the authors propose to help individuals navigate the challenges and opportunities of a non-linear, multi-stage life?
Shela, I think the two that I shared in my blog was most prevalent in the book. As well, things such developing new skills to reposition oneself, deepening relationships so that we are relationally rich, and re-creation to restore oneself are helpful ways to live a multi-staged life.
Graham, I love how you mapped this out. I can see your maps. Earlier, you spoke of managing transitions. I am curious to know how, after reading this, how you would grade your efforts in this particular area.
Darren,
Thanks for reading my blog. I would grade myself better now than I was in my earlier life. What makes me better is self-awareness, awareness of others and awareness of the need for each person to walk through transition processes. A lot of the work I’ve done with churches and leaders has been around this area. I’m not an expert, but definitely grown.
Hi Graham, what have you considered you might do with your life in the next decade? I’d love to hear your dreams and aspirations, even the ones that seem far fetched.
Has this book given you any more freedom to dream?
Christy, thanks for the question…
I am really drawn to more focused opportunities to develop others rather than lead my own thing. I am thinking about how we might cultivate health and effectiveness in our 500 licensed workers and beyond. I also considering how I might teach in a seminary beyond this program. Finally, we are wondering about how we might marry our leadership learnings and our love of pilgrimage (on the Camino). Perhaps leading groups on a leader development experience?? These are some seed thoughts.
Thank you, Mr. Graham, for your post. It challenges me to think of mapping with overlays as, a follower of Jesus, as a father, as a community and as a student in this program in light of this concept of longevity and how prepare for it. Do you have other sources that you think will be a good source for doing this kind of mapping?