In this post, we’ll unpack all you need to know about the Seasons Of Life, defining exactly what they are, the purpose and characteristics that define each of them, how to leverage them and more.
What Are The Seasons Of Life?
The Seasons Of Life is a model for how to optimise our behaviour and take more effective action ultimately in service of our goals and the life we desire.
The Idea That Changed Humanity Forever
One of the biggest fundamental shifts during the history of humanity, one that took us from a no-mad hunter-gatherer society forced to constantly move to an agricultural society that could settle in one place, was when humans recognised the four different seasons.
Up until this point, not knowing it was winter for example, humans would exert enormous energy planting seeds only to get nothing for it. Doing the right thing at the wrong time generates no reward.
However, once humanity understood the seasons, it knew when to plant and when not too. For example, in the winter a farmer would rest and sharpen his tools, in the spring he would prepare the land and plant the seeds, in the summer he would nourish his crop and protect it from pests and in the fall he would reap the rewards of his labour by harvesting the crop. Then he’d repeat the cycle.
The 4 Seasons Of Life
The same way there are four seasons in nature, there are also four Seasons Of Life, with each season possessing its own unique purpose ― there is a reason for every season. The same way the farmer’s priorities change with the seasons, so must ours.
The seasons of life apply on a micro level (the length of any endeavour) and on a macro level (the length of your entire life). Below we’ll unpack each of the four seasons.
- Spring | Childhood (0-20) | Sowing Seeds | Acquiring Knowledge, Wisdom & Values
On a micro level, Spring is the season of Opportunity. It is the season of sowing ― sowing seeds that align us with our goals and the life we desire. On a macro level, Spring spans the length of childhood and is the season of acquiring knowledge, wisdom and values.
- Summer | Young Adulthood (21-40) | Growing Seeds | Testing Knowledge, Wisdom & Values
On a micro level, Summer is the season of Growth. It is the season of progress ― progress towards our goals and the life we desire. On a macro level, Summer spans the length of young adulthood and is the season of testing knowledge, wisdom and values.
- Autumn | Midlife (41-60) | Harvesting Fruits | Applying Knowledge, Wisdom & Values
On a micro level, Autumn is the season of Celebration. It is the season of reaping ― reaping the achievement of our goals and the life we desire. On a macro level, Autumn spans the length of midlife and is the season of applying knowledge, wisdom and values.
- Winter | Elderhood (61+) | Enjoying Fruits | Transferring Knowledge, Wisdom & Values
On a micro level, Winter is the season of Reflecting. It is the season of planning ― planning for the achievement of our future goals and life we desire. On a macro level, Winter spans the length of elderhood and is the season for transferring knowledge, wisdom and values.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
How To Harness The Seasons Of Life
The seasons of life may change in terms of timing, but they never change in terms of pattern. They’re predictable ― and if we can predict them, we can prepare for and take advantage of them.
Our decisions determine our destiny. However, we can make a good decision at the wrong time and still get disastrous results. To make the right decision at the right time, we must know what season we are in.
Thus, the key to harnessing the Seasons Of Life is to be in harmony with them. We must orient our behaviour around each of the four seasons so that we can maximise their potential.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather,only bad clothes” ― Scandinavian Maxim
Summary (TL;DR)
Recognising the seasons fundamentally changed the course of human history. In doing so, humans optimised their ability to achieve an abundant harvest. However, seasons apply to all areas of life.
Spring is about opportunity and acquiring knowledge, wisdom and values. Summer is about growth and testing knowledge, wisdom and values. Autumn is about celebration and applying knowledge, wisdom and values. Winter is about reflection and transferring knowledge, wisdom and values.
The key to harnessing the Seasons Of Life is to synchronise our behaviour around each of the four seasons so that we can maximise their potential and take more effective action towards the attainment of our goals and the life we desire.