The Long View

Introduction

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the rat race of immediate success and short-term gains. However, Brian Fetherstonhaugh's book "The Long View" offers a refreshing perspective on career planning that encourages readers to think beyond the next paycheck or promotion. Instead, he advocates for a marathon approach to career development, one that spans decades and focuses on long-term fulfillment and success.

Fetherstonhaugh's book is a wake-up call for professionals at all stages of their careers. It reminds us that our working lives are likely to span 45 years or more, and that we need to plan accordingly. By taking a step back and looking at the big picture, we can make better decisions about our skills, experiences, and relationships that will serve us well throughout our entire career journey.

Changing Job Expectations

The modern workplace is evolving rapidly, and with it, our expectations of what constitutes a fulfilling career. Gone are the days when people would stay with one company for their entire working life, climbing the corporate ladder rung by rung. Today's professionals are looking for a combination of financial success and personal happiness.

A 2015 survey by The Futures Company revealed some interesting insights into what Americans consider a fulfilling career:

1. 70% of people prioritize happiness over financial perks when making career decisions.
2. However, 86% still chose money as the most important factor overall.

This seemingly contradictory data suggests that while financial success is crucial, people are no longer willing to sacrifice their happiness or work-life balance to achieve it. As a result, we're seeing a rise in flexible work arrangements, including:

• Part-time roles
• Freelance opportunities
• Remote work options
• Job-sharing positions

These alternatives to the traditional nine-to-five job allow people to create a career path that aligns with their personal values and lifestyle preferences. The challenge now is to develop a strategy that enables us to build a flexible, fulfilling, and balanced career while still achieving long-term success.

The Need for a New Career Model

Many of us approach our careers with a short-term mindset, focusing on immediate rewards rather than long-term success. This is akin to choosing a dollar today over saving two dollars next month. However, given the length of the average career, this approach is shortsighted and potentially detrimental to our overall success and happiness.

Consider these facts:

1. The average US employee spends more than 100,000 hours at work over their lifetime.
2. We spend more time working than sleeping.
3. Even when we're not at work, we often think or worry about it.

Given these statistics, it's clear that we need to adopt a long-term perspective when planning our careers. Instead of viewing our professional lives as a sprint, we should approach them as a marathon. This means pacing ourselves, building endurance, and planning for the long haul.

The average retirement age is 65, which means most of us have a 40+ year career ahead of us. This extended timeline requires a different mindset and planning approach. We need to consider factors such as:

1. Ongoing education and skill development
2. Building and maintaining professional networks
3. Balancing work with personal and family life
4. Financial planning for the long term

Interestingly, most wealth accumulation happens later in life. According to the Survey of Consumer Finances, 85-90% of personal wealth is typically accumulated after age 40. This statistic underscores the importance of taking time early in your career to figure out what you truly enjoy doing and how you can become an expert in your field. By doing so, you'll be better positioned to accumulate wealth later in life while doing work that you find fulfilling.

The Three Pillars of Career Success

Fetherstonhaugh introduces three key pillars that form the foundation of a successful, long-lasting career:

1. Transferable skills
2. Meaningful experiences
3. Enduring relationships

Let's explore each of these pillars in more detail.

Transferable Skills

Imagine losing your job at age 40 and having to start over. What skills would you need to succeed? This scenario highlights the importance of developing a strong, diverse skill set throughout your career.

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied across various jobs and industries. They include:

• Academic degrees
• Foreign language proficiency
• Computer skills
• Communication skills
• Emotional intelligence

These skills are particularly valuable in today's unpredictable job market. As industries evolve and new technologies emerge, having a broad set of transferable skills gives you the flexibility to adapt and thrive in different environments.

For example, strong communication skills are essential in almost any job, whether you're in sales, management, or a technical field. The ability to clearly articulate ideas, persuade others, and collaborate effectively is universally valuable.

Meaningful Experiences

While accumulating skills, it's equally important to gain diverse work experiences. People who spend their entire career in one environment may become highly efficient at a specific task but struggle when faced with new challenges.

Diverse job experiences offer several benefits:

1. Improved decision-making skills
2. Multiple perspectives on problem-solving
3. Increased adaptability
4. Enhanced creativity

To build meaningful experiences, consider:

• Moving between corporate and entrepreneurial environments
• Working abroad
• Taking on projects outside your comfort zone
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity

Each new experience adds to your professional toolkit, making you more versatile and valuable to potential employers.

Enduring Relationships

The third pillar of career success is building and maintaining strong professional relationships. No matter your field, the most successful people have gotten where they are with support and advice from others.

Fetherstonhaugh categorizes work relationships into four levels:

1. Basic contacts: This includes everyone who's ever entered your life, including social media connections. While these may not be strong ties, they can be useful for spreading information or messages.

2. Experts: People with specific knowledge or access to information that could solve a major problem. Maintain these relationships by offering your own expertise in return.

3. Critical colleagues: This includes your boss and others who have a significant impact on your career success. They influence promotions, pay raises, and your overall job satisfaction.

4. Champions: Mentors and a small group of people who offer unwavering support and advice. These might include former professors or colleagues who can provide strong references.

Regularly assess your network and identify key contacts at each level. Invest time in nurturing these relationships, especially with those who make you feel intelligent, stronger, and more capable of achieving your career goals.

The Three Stages of a Career

Fetherstonhaugh divides the typical 45-year career into three distinct stages, each lasting about 15 years. Understanding these stages can help you focus your efforts and make the most of each phase of your career.

Stage One: Getting in the Game

The first stage of your career is all about self-improvement and making connections. This is the time to:

1. Develop a job search strategy
2. Build a network of professional contacts
3. Discover your strengths and weaknesses
4. Accumulate knowledge and skills

To start your job search, create a spreadsheet with 20 companies you'd like to work for. Research these businesses and try to find contacts who can help you get your foot in the door. Use tools like LinkedIn and your alumni network to establish these connections.

When you find a potential contact, send a brief email with your resume, asking for a 15-20 minute conversation about their job. This short interaction can provide valuable insights into:

• Skills the company is looking for
• Company culture
• Pros and cons of the job

Having an internal connection significantly increases your chances of landing an interview and ultimately securing the job.

During this stage, focus on self-discovery and improvement:

1. Create a list of tasks you enjoy and dislike
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses
3. Take classes or workshops to improve weak areas
4. Seek out diverse experiences to broaden your skill set

The goal of this stage is to lay a solid foundation for the rest of your career. By the end of these first 15 years, you should have a good understanding of your capabilities and areas for growth.

Stage Two: Finding Your Sweet Spot

The second stage of your career is about becoming an expert in your field and standing out from the crowd. This is the time to:

1. Identify your "sweet spot"
2. Build upon your core strengths
3. Assemble a strong team
4. Establish yourself as an expert

Your "sweet spot" is the intersection of:

1. What you're good at
2. What you love doing
3. What service you can provide to the world

For example, if you're a talented communicator, you might focus on becoming the best public speaker in your company. If you're creative, you could position yourself as the go-to person for innovative ideas.

During this stage, you should be familiar with both your strengths and weaknesses. Use this knowledge to build a team that complements your skills. No one is perfect, so surround yourself with people who excel in areas where you struggle.

For instance, if public speaking isn't your forte, find a teammate who excels at delivering pitches and winning over audiences. By assembling a well-rounded team, you can compensate for your weaknesses while leveraging your strengths.

The second stage is also about packaging your expertise in a way that benefits any company. By the end of this phase, you should be recognized as a valuable asset in your field.

Stage Three: Passing the Torch

The final stage of your career is about planning how to pass along your knowledge and expertise to the next generation. This stage is crucial for several reasons:

1. It ensures your company is prepared for leadership transitions
2. It allows you to maintain a sense of purpose and contribution
3. It helps you stay relevant in a rapidly changing world

Here are some ways to approach this stage:

1. Succession planning: Formally document your responsibilities, contacts, ongoing projects, and long-term goals for the company.

2. Internal training and mentoring: Share your knowledge and best practices through regular sessions with younger colleagues. Consider recording these sessions for future reference.

3. Teaching: Depending on your expertise, you might teach a college course or offer classes in your community to help people of all ages learn new skills.

4. Continuous learning: Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field to ensure your expertise remains relevant.

Remember, reaching retirement age doesn't mean you have to stop contributing. By planning ahead, you can find meaningful ways to pass on your knowledge while still maintaining a sense of purpose and value.

Building a Varied Skill Set and Experiences

Throughout your career, it's crucial to continuously develop your skills and seek out diverse experiences. This approach will make you more adaptable and valuable in an ever-changing job market.

Here are some strategies for building a varied skill set:

1. Pursue formal education: Consider advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training programs.

2. Learn new languages: In a globalized world, multilingual professionals are in high demand.

3. Develop technical skills: Stay current with the latest software and technologies relevant to your field.

4. Hone soft skills: Focus on improving communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

5. Seek cross-functional experiences: Take on projects that expose you to different aspects of your organization.

6. Volunteer: Offer your skills to non-profit organizations or community projects to gain new perspectives and experiences.

7. Start a side hustle: Explore entrepreneurial opportunities to develop business acumen and creativity.

Remember, the goal is to become a well-rounded professional who can adapt to various roles and industries throughout your career.

The Importance of Strong Contacts

Building and maintaining a strong professional network is crucial for long-term career success. Your network can provide support, advice, and opportunities throughout your career journey.

Here are some tips for cultivating strong professional relationships:

1. Be proactive: Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and industry peers regularly, not just when you need something.

2. Offer value: Look for ways to help others in your network, whether it's sharing information, making introductions, or offering your expertise.

3. Attend industry events: Conferences, seminars, and networking events are great opportunities to meet new people and strengthen existing relationships.

4. Use social media wisely: Platforms like LinkedIn can be powerful tools for maintaining professional connections, but use them thoughtfully and professionally.

5. Follow up: After meeting someone new, send a brief follow-up message to reinforce the connection.

6. Be genuine: Build authentic relationships based on mutual respect and shared interests, rather than purely transactional connections.

7. Seek mentors and be a mentor: Look for experienced professionals who can guide you, and offer your own mentorship to those earlier in their careers.

Remember, strong professional relationships are built over time through consistent effort and mutual support.

Adapting to Changing Work Environments

The modern workplace is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing social norms, and global events. To thrive in this dynamic environment, professionals must be adaptable and open to change.

Here are some strategies for staying relevant in a changing work landscape:

1. Embrace lifelong learning: Commit to continuous education and skill development throughout your career.

2. Stay informed: Keep up with industry trends, new technologies, and emerging best practices in your field.

3. Be flexible: Be open to new ways of working, such as remote work, flexible hours, or project-based assignments.

4. Develop a growth mindset: View challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles.

5. Cultivate resilience: Build your ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to unexpected changes.

6. Practice digital literacy: Familiarize yourself with digital tools and platforms that are becoming increasingly important in the workplace.

7. Embrace diversity: Learn to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

By staying adaptable and open to change, you'll be better positioned to navigate the evolving work landscape and maintain a successful, long-term career.

Planning for Retirement and Beyond

While retirement may seem far off, especially early in your career, it's never too soon to start planning for this significant life transition. Moreover, with increasing life expectancies, many people are redefining what retirement means to them.

Here are some considerations for planning your later career years and retirement:

1. Financial planning: Start saving and investing early to ensure financial security in retirement.

2. Health and wellness: Prioritize your physical and mental health throughout your career to enjoy a active retirement.

3. Phased retirement: Consider gradually reducing your work hours or responsibilities as you approach retirement age.

4. Encore careers: Explore opportunities to use your skills and experience in new ways during retirement, such as consulting or non-profit work.

5. Legacy planning: Think about how you want to be remembered and what you want to leave behind, both personally and professionally.

6. Lifelong learning: Continue to pursue education and new experiences even after retiring from your primary career.

7. Social connections: Maintain and build relationships outside of work to ensure a fulfilling social life in retirement.

Remember, retirement doesn't have to mean the end of your professional contributions. By planning ahead, you can create a retirement that's both personally fulfilling and allows you to continue making a positive impact on the world.

Final Thoughts

"The Long View" by Brian Fetherstonhaugh offers a refreshing perspective on career planning that encourages professionals to think beyond short-term gains and focus on long-term success and fulfillment. By breaking down a typical 45-year career into three distinct stages and emphasizing the importance of transferable skills, meaningful experiences, and enduring relationships, Fetherstonhaugh provides a roadmap for building a successful and satisfying career.

Key takeaways from the book include:

1. Approach your career as a marathon, not a sprint.
2. Focus on developing transferable skills that will serve you throughout your career.
3. Seek out diverse experiences to broaden your perspective and increase your adaptability.
4. Build and maintain strong professional relationships at all levels.
5. Understand the different stages of your career and adapt your strategy accordingly.
6. Plan for the long term, including retirement and beyond.
7. Stay adaptable and open to change in an evolving work landscape.

By adopting this long-term perspective and following Fetherstonhaugh's advice, professionals can build careers that are not only financially rewarding but also personally fulfilling. Remember, success is not just about climbing the corporate ladder or achieving a certain salary level; it's about creating a career journey that aligns with your values, leverages your strengths, and allows you to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

As you move forward in your career, regularly take time to step back and assess your progress. Are you developing the skills and experiences that will serve you well in the long run? Are you building and nurturing the relationships that will support your success? Are you finding fulfillment in your work, or do you need to make adjustments?

By asking these questions and continually refining your approach, you can ensure that you're not just surviving in your career, but truly thriving. Remember, your career is a significant part of your life's journey – make it count by taking the long view.