Halftime: Changing your game plan from Success to Significance [Hardcover]

Bob Buford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 1995

Is there life after success? 'One of the most common characteristics of a person nearing the end of the first half (of the game of life) is that unquenchable desire to move from success to significance.' 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. In Halftime, Bob focuses on this important time of transition--the time when, as he says, a person pauses to consider what will make their remaining years rich and meaningful. As Buford explains, 'My passion is to inspire business and professional leaders to embrace God's calling and move from success to significance.' To help people at midlife to embark on their 'personal renaissance,' Buford lifts up the important questions we need to ask: 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 hit-the-nail-on-the-head quotes from men who have successfully navigated the exhilarating and potentially dangerous shoals of midlife. The real test of a man is not when he plays the role that he wants for himself, but when he plays the role destiny has for him.--Vaclav Havel The thing to understand is myself, to see what God really wishes me to do . . . to find the idea for which I can live and die.--Soren Kierkegaard Midlife. Halftime. It doesn't need to be a time of crisis; it can be a catalyst. Bob Buford provides the encouragement and insight 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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1st edition (February 6, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310375401
• ISBN-13: 978-0310375401
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 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 "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Halftime: Changing your game plan from Success to Significance (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.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

worship.com "worshipcom" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance (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.

16 of 18 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

This review is from: Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance (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.