Bonus: Don’t Call it a Midlife Crisis—Chip Conley on the “Dan Buettner” Podcast

First published in 1980, *Transitions* is a seminal work that explores the underlying and universal pattern of transition. The book takes readers step-by-step through the three perilous stages of any transition, explaining how each stage can be understood and embraced. It offers a simple yet profoundly insightful roadmap to navigate change and move into a hopeful future. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding endings, navigating the neutral zone, and embracing new beginnings to cope effectively with life's changes.

In this book, Bruce Feiler explores how to transform life's turbulent moments into periods of creativity and growth. Galvanized by a personal crisis, Feiler spent years collecting hundreds of life stories from Americans across all 50 states who had undergone major life changes. He identifies patterns and strategies to help readers survive and thrive during times of change. The book introduces the concept of the nonlinear life, where each person faces numerous disruptors, and provides a toolkit for navigating these transitions, which Feiler terms 'lifequakes. ' The average length of these transitions is five years, and Feiler argues that mastering the skills to manage them is increasingly urgent in today's unpredictable world.