Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance [Paperback]

Bob Buford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 1997

Bob Buford believes the second half of your life can be better than the first. Much better. But first, you need time to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. So he recommends that a reader call 'halftime' to reflect not only on where he's going, but why. In Halftime, Buford focuses on this important time of transition--the time when, as he says, a person moves beyond the first half of the game of life. It's halftime, a time of revitalization and for catching new vision for living the second, most rewarding half of life. As Buford explains, 'My passion is to multiply all that God has given me, and in the process, give it back.' That requires asking important questions: What am I really good at? What do I want to do? What is most important to me? What do I want to be remembered for? If my life were absolutely perfect, what would it look like? Buford fills Halftime with a blend of personal insight, true-life examples, and quotes from those who have successfully navigated the exhilarating and potentially dangerous shoals of midlife. Complete with a discussion guide, Halftime provides the encouragement and wisdom to propel your life on a new course away from mere success to true significance--and the best years of your life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

According to Bob Burford, broaching midlife doesn't have to be a crisis. In fact, in Half Time, Burford insists that it is actually an opportunity to begin the better half of life. The first half is busy with "getting and gaining, earning and learning," doing what you can to survive, while clawing your way up the ladder of success. The second half of life should be about regaining control, calling your own shots, and enjoying "God's desire ... for you to serve him just by being who you are, by using what he gave you to work with." What lies between the two is "halftime." Buford argues that whether you are a millionaire, a manager, or a teacher, you will one day have to transition from the struggle for success to the quest for significance. Halftime, then, is a quiet time of deliberate decision-making, restructuring, and passionate contemplation of your heart's deepest desires. Buford's writing is grounded in the real-life experience of success and failure, and most poignantly, the death of his son. While he has led a very successful life in the eyes of the world, Buford's personal stories reveal that his faith in Christ is his central priority. Instead of a transition to be feared, Buford makes midlife an introspective journey of abundance that will unleash God's best for you. --Jill Heatherly

Review

"According to Bob Buford, the first half of life is a quest for success, the second is a quest for significance. Bob should know; he has achieved the first and is showing us the latter. You'll find this book to be unique, inspiring, and practical. Read it and finish strong!" -- Max Lucado, Author of When God Whispers Your Name

"Bob Buford is one of those rare individuals who has made the transition from focusing on success to focusing on significance. This book will show you how to make the rest of your life the best of your life. I want every man in my congregation to read this inspiring story!" -- Dr. Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Valley Community Church, Author of The Purpose-Driven Church

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1 edition (May 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310215323
• ISBN-13: 978-0310215325
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Challenge to Think About Where You're Going June 24, 2004

By Michael Taylor TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

While not the final authority, Buford has written a good book encouraging the reader to approach the second half of life as a quest for significance instead of success.

Among the points covered in the book include:

1. Do not allow the second half of life to be characterized by boredom, decline, and decreasing effectiveness for God's kingdom.
2. A challenge to think about what you believe and to find the one most important thing in your life and build on that.
3. How to continue to learn in the second half of life.
4. The more you submit to Christ, the freer you become.
5. Practical ways on how to regain more control over your life.
6. Questions to ask and answer as you "go in to the locker" and prepare for the second half of your life.
7. Find something that fits within the following 2 questions: What have you achieved? What do you care deeply about?

Read and be encouraged to believe that the second half of your life need not be a time of waste or past memories!

While I enjoyed the book, I believe his other book "Gameplan" is better in that it describes more practical ways how to have a productive second half.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cure for the career blahs January 11, 2000

By worship.com

Format:Paperback

Most career-oriented individuals reach a plateau in life where they realize there's more to life and happiness than making money and climbing the corporate ladder. They begin to wonder what life would be like if they had a career that permitted them to do what they love to do, rather than what they are good at doing. This book is for anyone who wants to get off of the treadmill but isn't sure how.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Some helpful concepts but flawed approach falls short July 26, 2008

By C. Stephans TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Buford's concept of "Halftime," an arbitrary time in one's life when he or she moves from thinking about success to thinking about significance, describes an important process for people to regular go through. He advocates thinking about what is really important and then making adjustments to pursue that one thing and to subordinate all other things in life to that item. The short version of this idea is what the character Curly (Jack Parlance I think) in the movie City Slickers suggests to Billy Crystal's character. Remember him holding up his finger and saying "This one thing." Buford uses that as an example of what he is promoting in his book. He then elaborates with suggestions resembling most motivational and success-oriented types of books.

The flaws in this book include the fact that Buford is continuously and overwhelmingly self congratulatory about his accomplishments, success, wealth, status, who he knows, talents, offerings, etc. Rarely does a page go by on which he does not remind us of how successful he is. I think all of his anecdotes include his success or this or that CEO friend. This undermines the message of the book, because it is off-putting and distracting, even though the author has clearly adjusted his life to help people; the emphasis on altruism is a major theme of the book. He just pats himself on the back quite often.

The focus on wealth and success in the "first half" of life makes the idea of a second half seem like something only for the rich and comfortable who can make changes without making sacrifices. It also conveys a false assumption that one must pursue and gain success and wealth before shifting toward selflessness. Why not forego the first half self-centeredness and play the second half gameplan from the begining?...

Another flaw is the mix of self-help, psychology and theology into one. Buford is a Christian, and writes this book from a Christian perspective. Buford however is not a theologian but writes as if he is one, even calling a conflicting idea "heresy." His "theology" reflects the flawed Western approach to Christianity that equates it with the dream of success and wealth and being all one can be using God-given talents and rugged individualism. This is an approach that would make no sense to Christians in most of the rest of the world and does not find resonance in the early church. Buford too often applies worldly success and wisdom to Christianity in the pages of this book and not vice versa. I don't doubt his sincerity, but the core of Christianity is not our power, strength and wisdom; it is as Paul said "Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men." I question whether seeking significance itself is supported by Scripture which rather promotes sacrifice and service at the risk of obscurity. This theology leads to advice that I think contradicts Scriptural lessons.

The epilogue to the book also confuses the issue when he imagines being asked two questions as a final exam when approaching God after death. One is what did you do about Jesus and the other is "What did you do with what I gave you to work with?" Like most of the theology in the book, this last question is taking a couple of texts out of context and building a doctrine upon them. It promotes judgement or pride, condemnation or self-righteousness. The Bible rather teaches that because Jesus died for my sins I will be welcomed into Heaven with great rejoicing--that is the message of grace not performance. But the author's message of this book is clearly that he is quite pleased with what he has done about Jesus and what he has done with his life. But according to what standard? Rather than present my works, strengths and productivity to God, I'll relax and rest in Christ's righteousness.

I think the idea behind Halftime is important but the delivery is poor. I think the activities prescribed of self-evaluation and life adjustments are things we need to continually do no matter our stage or age of life. In that sense, this book is helpful but because of the flaws it might do more harm than good, except for those people that closely resemble the author in several important characteristics such as beliefs, age, career, aspirations and resources.

Craig Stephans, author of
Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays Read more ›

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars For those seriously evaluating the 2nd half of their lives! August 23, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I found this book to be en excellent starting point for anyone (more specifically men, written by a man) who is interested in seriously thinking through a life plan of what you are going to do with the rest of your life. Those who find themselves asking the question "do I want to do what I'm doing for the next 10-20 years" will be intetested in what the author has to say.

Even if you have not asked that question yet this book will provide insight into where you are probably headed...

Best considered by those who are determined to be honest with themselves reguardless of the cost and are willing to do something to change their current situation.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book hit home! March 27, 2007

By An honest opinion

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I decided to take an early retirement from my company of 30+ years, a friend recommended that I read this book. I couldn't believe how it hit the mark with me. Granted, I am what I would consider to be a 'spiritual person', but aside from that, Buford really hit the nail on the head with many of the feelings that I had been experiencing of late.. That is, the entire notion of putting 'significance' ahead of 'success' in life. Isn't that what everyone would want to leave as his/her legacy?

I enjoyed the book, and found it to be relevant, interesting, and a fast read. I recommend it for anyone who is moving into a mid-50s 'retirement' period, sorting out the opportunities that are out there.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is helping me to serve others as God would want! October 17, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Mr. Buford's book is only the 2nd that I have finished in 15 years. I normally read only articles and summaries. But I am in the halftime of life and the book is a big encouragement to assess my abilities and target their deployment for significant, eternal purposes. The book was recommended by a friend who is a "tentmaker" in Singapore and has already made the switch to significance, leveraging the skills and abilities that God has given him. If you want to make a lasting impact with the second half of your life, this book will nudge you into action!