Syd Field’s Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting popularised the idea of dividing up a play into three Acts.
The typical flow goes a little like this. Once the dominant themes and characters are established, and the stage is literally set, some kind of problem arises for the central character at the conclusion of the first Act.
Solving this problem forms the basis of our second Act. Our protagonist has to learn new skills and experience personal growth in order to ensure a successful conclusion in Act three.
Put another way, in order to be able to defeat Apollo Creed, first Rocky had to catch a chicken.
Maybe it’s hitting 35, an age were one might reasonably be expected to have a mid-life crisis, but recently I’ve been feeling a bit like I’m moving out of the first Act of my life and into the second.
Back in February myself and Mrs H travelled to Devon for a few days R&R. The weather was miserable, and frankly so was my mood. I remember one day in particular, we went on our daily walk along objectively what is one of the most beautiful pieces of coastline in the country and I barely looked up from my phone.
This was during the Silicon Valley Bank debacle (remember that?) - but that is no excuse. I couldn’t bring myself to stop worrying about things that were completely and utterly out of my control, in a moment that demanded that I do just that.
I had had a sneak peek into the second Act of my life, and I didn’t particularly like what I was seeing.
Devon: quite nice actually.
The middle period of our lives can hold some of the happiest experiences. Maybe building a family, or personal successes. But age brings new responsibilities and uncertainties too.
No one path is linear, and it is natural to compare our path to others’. Perhaps unfavourably, inevitably unfairly.
For me, I feel like the beginning of a new Act is an opportunity. An opportunity to develop, and to have a crack at something new. Focus on what’s really important. Try to build something.
Sure it won’t be too long before the final Act comes along. Time waits for none of us.
I have been very fortunate during my career to date to work for two companies with great people, and I have learned an awful lot. At least, I’ve learned enough to know what I enjoy doing, and I have decided that during the next chapter I want to help people who are in the second Act of their lives to prepare for their third.
Specifically, I want to help busy professionals and business owners to prepare for their retirements. To help them to know when they have “enough” financially to tackle the conclusion of their story.
In the last year and a half I have also really enjoyed getting the opportunity to write, and to share that writing with you. So I figured I would carry on!
I promise that I’ll be keeping it light on the sales pitch in the blog in future. It’ll be back to dividend yields and ISA allowances soon enough.
But maybe you can forgive me a little self-indulgence just this once. Truth be told it’s all very exciting.
Tomorrow not only marks my last day at Quilter Cheviot, but also the first day of a ten-day break in New York with Mrs H. I won’t be looking at my phone.
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