Managing the Transition of Selling Your Business and Other Lifequakes with Bruce Feiler
Feb 6, 2023
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Bruce Feiler, author of seven New York Times bestsellers, discusses navigating life transitions and the importance of personal projects and community. They also explore strategies for managing major life transitions like selling a business and debunk myths about intergenerational wealth. Additionally, they reflect on facing challenges and finding balance in dream vacations.
Transitions are a skill to be mastered, not an obstacle to be overcome; view transitions as a three-phase process: the long goodbye, the messy middle, and the new beginning.
Open communication and sharing family history are essential for maintaining family cohesion and emotional well-being during life quakes and intergenerational transitions.
Deep dives
Understanding Life Quakes and Transition Periods
Bruce Filer, author of 'Life is in the Transitions', shares his insights on life quakes and major transition periods. Drawing from his own experiences and interviews with people across the United States, he highlights the shift from the traditional linear life to a more nonlinear life filled with disruptive events. Filer emphasizes that transitions are a skill to be mastered, rather than an obstacle to be overcome. He advises individuals going through life quakes to understand that they are not alone and shares practical tools for navigating these periods.
Navigating Life Quakes: Tools and Best Practices
In this segment, Filer provides tools and best practices for handling life quakes effectively. He suggests viewing transitions as a three-phase process: the long goodbye, the messy middle, and the new beginning. Filer emphasizes the importance of communication and self-awareness, urging individuals to understand their strengths and challenges during these periods. By adjusting the ABCs of meaning (agency, belonging, cause), individuals can find balance and navigate transitions more smoothly.
Impact of Life Quakes on Relationships and Intergenerational Wealth
Filer explores how life quakes, such as selling a business or retirement, can affect relationships and intergenerational wealth. He emphasizes the need for open communication, addressing the emotions and concerns that arise during these transitions. Filer highlights the importance of sharing family history and narratives, including both peaks and valleys, to foster resilience and emotional well-being in the next generation. He offers insights on bridging the gap between generational values and maintaining family cohesion during times of change.
The Power of Personal Projects and Crafting Meaningful Lives
Filer discusses the significance of personal projects in crafting meaningful lives. He encourages individuals to pursue personal projects in each of the ABCs of meaning (agency, belonging, cause). By engaging in activities that bring joy, foster connections, and contribute to a greater purpose, individuals can find balance and fulfillment in their post-transition lives. Filer emphasizes the importance of embracing life's oscillating rhythm and sharing the joys and challenges with the next generation, building resilience and a sense of collective strength.
For this episode, Terry Cook is joined by Bruce Feiler. Bruce is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including Life Is in the Transitions and Secrets of Happy Families. His three TED Talks have been viewed more than 4 million times. In their conversation, Bruce and Terry dive into navigating challenging life and family moments and discuss Bruce's new book, The Search, about finding meaningful work.More resources at www.parcionpw.com and www.brucefeiler.com.