Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance (Paperback)

by Bob Buford (Author) "I have not always paid attention to my life..." (more)
Key Phrases: altruistic egoism, success panic, better second half, Peter Drucker, Mike Kami, Saint Paul (more...)

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1 edition (May 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310215323
• ISBN-13: 978-0310215325
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,258 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars May Be Your Most Important Time Out, March 25, 2009

By	Patrick - See all my reviews

If I had to describe this book in one sentence, I'd have to say it's a Christian based self-help book for people entering the second half of their life to help them make the most of what time is left. If this sounds a bit pessimistic, believe me it's not, in fact its the opposite. The book is extremely optimistic and wants the second half of your life to be the best- and I believe it can be.

The book leads you through an insightful journey to help you figure out where you want to be headed. There are many thought provoking questions and the book ends with a discussion guide, mainly intended for small groups, however I don't see why a single reader couldn't benefit from it as well.

All-in-all it's worth the read if you're looking for a little direction for the last leg of your journey. Also recommend "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World".

31 of 34 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 (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.

24 of 27 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

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.