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Unlocking Your Future

July 16, 2024
Reading Journey

Welcome to Our Reading Journey

If you’re anything like Lois and me, you’ve probably been inspired by the writings of others at some point in your life. Certain books captivate us, leaving a lasting impression. As we mature, our interest in reading often deepens. Perhaps it’s because we become a bit wiser (though some might question that!) or maybe certain books resonate more deeply as our experiences grow and evolve.

 Recommending books can feel like a gamble – people tend to either love or hate them. Nevertheless, Lois and I are excited to share some of the books that have been particularly meaningful to us. You’re welcome to pick and choose which ones you’d like to explore before we meet in October.

 However, please don’t feel obligated to read any of these books before the programme. We’ll have copies available for you to browse through while we’re in the Lake District if you find that helpful.

 More importantly, we’d love for you to contribute to our shared reading list. If there are books that have inspired or educated you as you prepare for the next exciting chapter of your life, please share them. Those of you who know Lois or me understand that our approach is collaborative. We’re here to learn from each other, not to teach.

 Our goal is to create an environment in the Lakes where we all feel energised, curious, and that our time together is valuable. We look forward to sharing this journey with you and discovering the books that inspire us all.

 

 

 1. ‘The hundred-year life’ by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott

The book which Lois recommended to me, and which encouraged me to step forward with her to run this course is “The Hundred Year Life” by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott. The book is a global best seller, and I can see why.

The book describes how the three-stage life of education, work and retirement is beginning to collapse: life expectancy is rising, and people are juggling multiple careers.

How can we move forward with courage and expectancy to face the latter stages of our life to match the expectation of a possible life beyond 100 years old.

Here are some great reviews of this book on Amazon, but this is my favourite:

‘One of the most important books ever written’

 ‘This is the most important book written in the last 5 years and everyone should read it because it doesn’t matter if you are 16 or 65 it is relevant to you and your family. It is such an important book I am going to buy it for others to read so they can wake up to the reality of the new way life is going to be in the future based upon life expectancy. Every single part of a person’s life in the world will be impacted. Work, where they live, social life, health, money etc. I urge you to read it. You will view life differently afterwards… guaranteed. But the measure of its impact will be, will you do anything about it?’

 

2. IKIGAI by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

(Meaning ‘a reason for being’) is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living. This short book explores this philosophy and shows how it can underpin longevity.

If you’re curious about why so many people in rural Japanese communities live well beyond 100 years, “IKIGAI” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles is a great read. This international bestseller is a quick and engaging book that some of you might already be familiar with. It offers simple yet profound tips at the end that are worth considering.

 

3. ‘The Flow Compass for Corporate Athletes’ – by Minas Loekan

Throughout my life, I have embraced increasingly dangerous challenges, many of which I documented in my book “Restless.” In my subsequent book, “The 7Cs to Success,” I delved into the methods and principles that enabled me to accomplish these feats.

 One of the critical success factors for survival is around being able to keep the mind steady (‘In Flow’) in an emergency. I guess emergencies will still crop up throughout our life however prepared we think we might be.

It wasn’t until I read this latest ‘Flow’ book recently that I realised exactly what happens to our brains in times of approaching extreme danger or stress and how we can develop the skills to keep a calm head in a crisis – a situation that all of you will have experienced in your varying professions.

 If we can harness this principle in our lives, we will have a much better chance of developing our capability and get a much better focus on our ‘Capacity’.

 This book builds on the work of writers such as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and others into a fascinating little collection of ideas that have left lasting memories for me. I will be using some of these ideas to hold me steady in my future adventures – whatever they might be.

 

4. ‘Living your Unlived Life’ by Robert A. Johnson.

The title says it all ‘coping with unrealised dreams and fulfilling your purpose in the second half of your life.’ It sets out ‘to bring fresh insights to the restlessness that stirs in middle life and helps us craft a more authentic and hopefully satisfying second half of life.’ This is highly relevant to many of us as we approach or enter a new chapter in our lives.

 The Amazon reviews are interesting:

Having reached a ‘certain age’ and wondering what to explore next in my life, I came across this book. It’s a book to read slowly, to take in what it is saying. I’m about three quarters of the way through now and can say that if you read this book carefully there are riches to be found within its pages. Not only riches, but wisdom too. It is helping me to both understand where I am at and helping me to move forward.

It makes sense of the maze many of us find ourselves in during what is termed *mid-life* when we see that our life ahead is now shorter than life already lived, if you know what I mean.
It’s full of kindness, understanding and humanity, but if you are looking for a step-by-step self-help book, this is not the book you are looking for. This is written for the seeker willing to explore and find out without having their hands held every step of the way.