A Clearer Picture of the Decade Calendar
In our opening installment I let you into the conversation Booma and I were having regarding the decade-calendar. We were right in the middle of describing what it is. How about we get right back into it?
Booma, I grew up in an era defined by the “The Huxtables”? In this show, the stages of life are painted out for us quite a bit. We have the kids (Rudy, Vanessa, Theo, Denise and Sondra) who are for the most part in decades 1-3. Then there’s Cliff and Clair who are around decades 4 & 5. But we can’t leave out their parents Russel & Anna Huxtable who are somewhere in decades 6+. The great thing about this sitcom, which I think we can use to explain how the decades work for us as well as against us, is that these groups will allow us to see how the decade calendar plays out. So, put a pause there on the Huxtables and I will give a high-level overview on each level now that we have this image in our heads.
The Decade Calendar Breakouts
Booma as we walk through this keep in mind that there are a couple of decades, I’m really not qualified to address, as I am only in decade four with you. Joking aside, nonetheless, I have done my best to gather a little information that will be helpful for where you are now. Also, there are a few decades that are harder to decipher because there are not as many who can speak to us about it. Stay with me in this thought.
- Decade 1 (Age 0-9) – This decade is when you had zero responsibilities and your parents were 100% responsible for you and your actions.
Please don’t question that generalization now as I know you might be thinking about children who have to take on responsibilities for self and other siblings at an early age. That’s an important thought as it can explain how the decade calendar can get off track and how that affects us. - Decade 2 (Age 10-19) – This decade represents the time needed for an individual to find and even accept their true identity or individuality. In other words, a person becomes their own person.
- Decade 3 (Age 20-29) – This decade is used to help a person develop skills to be used for the rest of their life.
I’d really like to stop here for a second but I can’t. We often end this learning and development decade with the conclusion of college, armed services, and on-the-job training. Regardless of the school and teacher, this decade is the one where a person develops their unique life skills. - Decade 4 (Age 30-39) – This decade is when the training wheels come off and a person has a clearer understanding of where they need to go, be, and what needs to be done.
Let’s stop here to think about this point in one’s life. One-third of a person’s life has been lived when you reach this point on the calendar. A huge amount of time has been invested in living and it’s easy to mistake this moment as the I’m-really-just-getting-started point. The truth is a person who thinks this way is already behind. Over thirty years of your life have passed. - Decade 5 (Age 40-49) – This decade is when a person becomes very aggressive because they absolutely know what it is they wish to do with this business they call their life.
It’s here where a person will have the most clarity regarding success and eliminate any distractions or detractors that might interfere. Don’t forget this is a generalization and most people will be off this mark. That’s why this decade calendar is dyer. - Decade 6 (Age 50-59) – This decade is where one puts their work in, not “the work” any more. This decade is all about one getting their work done and not just any kind of work.
- Decade 7 (Age 60-69) – This decade is the one where a person is determined to finish what she or he has started. This person is working to accomplish something of significance, a life that has meaning to him or her.
- Decade 8 (Age 70-79) – This decade is where you hand off what you’ve created, been working on, so that it lives beyond the hands that built it, your hands.
- Decade 9 (Age 80-89) – This decade is where a person spends their time watching what they handed off to others. A person desires to ensure that it keeps its values and purpose. The small things are no longer as important as the purpose for which things get done and time is of the essence.
- Decade 10 (Age 90-99) – This decade is where time gets spent removing oneself from the picture. It’s a transfer of leadership or dependability. A person in this decade would never want to jeopardize what he or she put in place by standing in the way.
This was a simple once-over of what the decade calendar is. Over the course of our conversation, we will pick this concept apart (using the Huxtables) so that we can see the hidden value that it gives us when we have a clue to its power and what’s robbed from us when we don’t.
With that said, do you like what you’re hearing so far? Booma responds, actually, Kerry, I can’t wait to hear more so let’s take another break before we get into the weeds.
Question: what are your initial thoughts from hearing the breakout of the decade calendar for life?