Mark Manson, New York Times bestselling author, believes that life tends to unfold in stages and that problems arise when we get stuck on one stage. He speaks about four stages of development: mimicry, self-discovery, dedication and legacy.
Some of us move between these stages effortlessly, while others may take a little longer. Manson says these stages are a natural progression, but we can only go on to the next stage once we are ready.
Mimicry
We are incredibly vulnerable at birth and need years to mature and learn from our parents. The mimicry stage is focused on building fundamentals for life ahead. We have a complex language to learn and social skills to develop, which is achieved by imitating the people around us. Whilst it’s easy to see this in our day-to-day lives, it’s often harder to see it in our finances, but the way we make financial decisions is typically based on how we learnt from those around us.
Self-Discovery
Stage two is about learning what makes us different. This journey of self-discovery, trial-and-error and making personal decisions can be exhilarating; as such, many of us choose to continue life on this level.
However, all that glitters is not gold, and this stage often bestows diminishing returns if we are entrenched in it for too long. We may begin this stage feeling as though anything is possible, but to enter the third stage, we must become aware of our limitations. Seeing and dealing with our blindspots is impossible without the help of a coach, mentor or adviser, and SFP places particular value in helping our clients step back from their day-to-day lives and look at the bigger picture. This is how we’re able to set goals, make plans and consolidate priorities.
Dedication
The third stage of Manson’s four is characterised by showing dedication to those consolidated priorities. This is where we are more intent on evaluating what we are good at and what is healthy for us, all the while beginning to offload the things that are holding us back. In this stage, we are able to channel our focus into our family, relationships, career and legacy.
Legacy
People enter stage four after investing in what they chose to be meaningful and important. Whilst legacy is established through our years of dedication, this final stage is more about protecting and passing on our heritage and wisdom. It is our chance to make sure something continues to live on in this world, even when we are no longer in it.
We can only move between life stages when we are ready – it’s not about age. But the sooner we plan ahead, the easier the transition will be. Whatever stage you may feel you’re in, chat to one of our advisers today and ensure that you can identify, value and protect your legacy for generations to come.