You’ve heard of thinking outside the box, but have you ever tried living outside the box?
Richard N. Bolles introduced us to three categories in his 1978 book “The Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Them.” He proposed that our lives are divided into three boxes – the world of education, the world of work, and the world of retirement. Though the book is a little older, it is still a great read that I recommend.
The education box is devoted to learning. This is where we spend our younger years focused on developmental growth until about the age of 24. These are our formative years, and this should be a time of tremendous learning and cognitive development. We are mostly in childhood while in this stage and the world is full of fun, excitement, and new adventures.
After we have completed our formal education, we transition to the work box. Here, life changes drastically. There are responsibilities now, bills to pay, deadlines to meet, a family to care for… and the list goes on. Many of us lose our sense of adventure and fun. The weight of our responsibilities can become burdensome. The work box takes up most of our adult life, and some individuals remain in it well beyond the traditional retirement age.
The retirement box transitions us to the fun part of our lives again, where we play more than work. (At least for some that may be a reality but not for others). The age we enter this box is dependent on many factors. The retirement box is what we look forward to for time to pursue our hobbies, interests, and goals that we’ve just never had enough time for.
For most individuals, these boxes have clearly defined lines of entry and departure based on our experiences. We all enter the education box at birth, but when and how we enter the other boxes is up to us. But what if there was a more equitable balance between the three boxes? What if each box contained a measure of learning, working, and playing?
Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth, creativity, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing world around us. Why do many enter the work or retirement box and lose the self-motivated pursuit of knowledge? Keeping our mind renewed with knowledge opens a world of endless possibilities. Leonardo da Vinci was 51 years old when he began painting the Mona Lisa. It is believed to have taken him 16 years to finish, at which point he would have been 67 years old. He didn’t lose his creativity and desire to produce something new just because he was hitting Social Security age.
Playing is also a part of a life well lived. Engaging in activities for enjoyment, recreation, exploration, curiosity, and creativity stimulate the mind. Play shouldn’t be limited to childhood (or even retirement) but can serve as a means of socialization, problem-solving and relaxation at any age and box of our life. Having a sense of adventure is the spice of life. Exploring the unknown, taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone is exciting and makes us feel alive!
Work and Retirement Box Self-Reflection
For those of you in the work or retirement box ask yourself the questions below to determine if you need to make any changes in your box.
How do you primarily spend your time and energy right now? Do you feel like you are running to catch up or sitting at the side of the road?
What is your primary priority at this time in your life? Do you feel your life is balanced between learning, work, and leisure, or is it tilting slightly?
What challenges or opportunities are you currently navigating? Are you excited about what is ahead of you, or are you too busy looking behind you at what could’ve been?
If your answers to these questions are troubling, maybe your box needs a little repositioning. Are you ready to expand your way of thinking and evolve beyond the limitations you have set in your current box? Coaching can equip you with the mindset to make the changes to thrive while preparing you for life transitions ahead.
The ability to redefine and expand your life lies within you no matter where you are today. Let’s create that purposeful box of life you deserve!
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