Apologies, my people, for not sending you a story last Friday. I know it hardly ever happens, but let me explain hehe. I’m laughing because that sounds like a dome (quarrel) as I try to justify my actions. First, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who took the leap with me on the 25th of last month by joining my first webinar. It felt surreal that after a long time, an idea that had lived in my head was finally a reality. My hope and prayer remain that through this series, many high achievers in Africa going through midlife will learn some skills on how best to navigate their midlife transitions and move into a life of significance in their second half.
Midlife transitions, aka halftime, take time. I remember my halftime mentor Mathilda Fourie once sharing that her season in halftime took a decade to actualise. I was discouraged because that felt like living at a crossroads forever. She told me that back in 2018, when I was already in halftime. Now we are in 2026, and a lot of internal work has taken place (which we are unpacking in the webinar series). I guess ten years doesn’t feel like such a long time when you are going through a reset in life.
Folks, in case some of you panic that you will be in pause for ten years, that’s not exactly the case. Even though you may often feel stuck, there is still movement, only that it’s mostly internal. That is the rebooting phase, that season of life when you are told not to switch off your computer until the updates are complete hehe.
That first webinar was just about recognising that if you are in that season of stationary movement (I know it’s a paradox), tuko wengi. So take comfort in the fact that while this season of transition may feel miserable, you are not alone. Join me for the second webinar on 30th October, where we go past the titles and positions to discover who has been waiting underneath all along. Sign-ups will open next week.
About a year ago, a friend asked me to facilitate a conversation with a corporate team on her behalf. I panicked because it was a huge organisation in the region, and I was to help the entire marketing department work through some challenges they were having at work. I knew I could do it, but I didn’t feel capable. That imposter syndrome reared its head again, and with it came a generous dose of self-doubt. That said, mwanaume nikujiamini, so I drove down the Nakuru–Naivasha highway to Elementaita with wasiwasi (worry) as my passenger, where the retreat was held.
I coached myself along the way, and when I arrived, I gave it my best alongside my co-facilitator. It went well. Driving back that evening, I wondered why I had panicked in the first place. After all, we are called for opportunities because we are ready enough to deliver. May we not succumb to fear or panic when opportunities come our way, folks. Growth happens in the stretch zone. Plus, when we do good work, it tends to produce more good work.
That’s exactly what happened last week. The same organisation reached out to me and asked if I could facilitate a two-day session for their audit team. This inquiry came at a time when I was focused on the webinar preparation. But I said yes despite the pressure. After meeting with the team to understand their needs, I realised that delivering the assignment would take a lot of preparation. That meant working through last weekend and into the week before I travelled to the coast.
Interactions like this rely on connecting with the client if you are to achieve any meaningful outcomes. I was less nervous this time. Maybe it was because of the over-preparedness. I got onto a flight at Wilson Airport last Wednesday morning to fly to the coast. Upon landing, I was transferred to the hotel. All this time, it felt like a dream I’ve had for a long time was now playing out in reality.
Back in 2018, when I was working through my halftime transition, I confirmed that my future would be public service (not necessarily public sector). I also realised I wanted to travel while doing what I love and what I am good at. That’s what made this assignment deeply meaningful. I was in an exotic place doing what I love (facilitating conversations) and being paid for it.
It is funny to think that this dream came about while walking on the beach back in 2018. That reminder became vivid as I walked on the beach on both evenings after the sessions. Is this what living Ikigai feels like? I wondered. I think it comes close. But something else became clear after we wrapped up the two-day assignment. Dreaming and reality go hand in hand. At some point, we must wake up from the dream and do the actual work required for it to manifest.
I could have looked for excuses to justify why this couldn’t be done and kept dreaming that one day I’d live my dream life. Or I could just stretch myself and give it a chance. I’m glad I did because the feeling after good, meaningful work is priceless. It felt so good that I almost missed my flight back, hehe.
To show up properly for the client, I had to sacrifice my usual Friday article. I hope this can be a two-in-one story to make up for last week. Maybe read it twice hehe. Perhaps the point is that when we miss important appointments (like me sending you the weekly post), then the reason better be worth it. I hope this one was worth it for you, folks. May we keep stretching ourselves as we do life. Folks, what dreams are waiting for you to wake up and act on so you can live the life you have dreamt about for so long?
Definitely worth it Lucas. Well done!!
Well done Lucas, I was wondering where you’d disappeared to!