Do you have lots of acquaintances, some buddies, but few (if any) deep, lasting friendships?

You’re not alone. For one, I can relate. And I see it often in the hard-driving achievers that I coach. Many leaders reach midlife and discover that intimacy has been squeezed out of their marriage, family and friendships.

Yet I’ve found that a reflective leader will realize that this is a key measure of success that needs attention for a fulfilling and meaningful second half. Out of intimacy comes trust, understanding, romance. What is more – deep, intimate relationships pave the road to lasting impact in this world.

So, how did we get here? Intimacy is a skill we are seldom taught or compensated for in our first half careers. For many successful people, real connections have been the casualty of stress, business travel, and perhaps self-absorption.

Halftime is a season of life when you can change that.

Along this journey, you will likely discover that midlife renewal is less about doing and more about being. Less of your identity will be wrapped up in your career or accomplishments. More joy will come from relationships – beginning with your relationship with God, your spouse, your kids and some deepening friendships.

God has always existed in deep, intimate community between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His intent for us is to live in intimacy with him and with each other.

Some of us have been so caught up in the pursuit of our goals that we have had little time to understand the value of intimacy or to learn to dismantle the barriers that stand in its way. Our culture sometimes confuses intimacy with sex. Sex can be part of intimacy, but intimacy is much more than sex.

Most men arrive at midlife with few, if any, close friendships. Women tend to have more. Over the past twenty years I have explored why this is by asking each new person that I coach to tell me about their friendships. As I listen, I find that most men have lots of acquaintances, but few close friends with whom they share their deepest thoughts and feelings. When they let off the gas in their careers, they begin to realize relationships are not optional; they are essential.

A new focus is given to the journey from isolation to intimacy. Yet, sometimes it’s easier to see what is missing than to know what to do about it.  

In my own journey, I remember observing deep relationships in others’ lives and even in movies but didn’t know how to begin to move in that direction. In addition, I was somewhat afraid of the awkwardness it might entail.

When I reached into my “toolbox for life,” I found some big wrenches, hammers and screw drivers that made me effective in business but very few tools that might help me in this new area. I needed some new tools, a few simple instructions, and lots of practice. I wish someone had taught me to use the following structure of who, when, what and how steps to developing intimacy. You can adapt these to where you are in this skill development process:

  1. WhoWho do you want to develop a deep, meaningful relationship with? Sometimes we don’t get down to the business of loving a few people extravagantly simply because we don’t decide who those people are. Ultimately, it always boils down to names. We don’t have time or energy to love everyone deeply or to pursue intimacy with lots of people, but we can with a few. In addition to your immediate family, who are the two or three people you would most like to connect with?

 

  1. WhenWhen could you be with or connect with the people on your list? Relationships take time. If you’re serious, these people will begin to show up regularly on your calendar. A date night with your spouse, weekly Skype call with your adult kids, time to work out at the gym with your closest friend, or an annual weekend with your siblings.

 

  1. WhatWhat do your friends and family want to know about your inside world? Intimacy is about knowing what’s going on inside each other’s hearts and minds. You can spell intimacy as “into-me-see”. It’s about vulnerability, exposure to each other’s deepest feelings, dreams and challenges, met with loving acceptance. Your next simple step is to ask what your family/friends want to know about your inside world that you don’t normally share.

 

  1. HowHow can you communicate these inner thoughts and feelings in a way that is meaningful to them and less awkward for you? Often, saying what is in your heart is the most difficult. So, instead, find the easiest ways you can communicate your inner feelings with those you love. Here are a few I’ve found helpful: Cards, emails, text, a voice message, a picture or painting that conveys the message, gifts with special meaning, a toast or speech at special gatherings, face to face (this is often the most difficult).

 

One last thing – be patient.

You really can’t rush the process of building deep connections. It goes at the pace of trust, and each person will react differently to your desire for a deeper relationship. I was so fortunate that three of my closest friends were already good at this and, for whatever reason, wanted a deeper friendship. Be patient and before you know it, you will be in the midst of meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Cheers,

Lloyd

 


 

This post gives a taste of Lloyd’s book, “Finally Connected: Deep, Meaningful Relationships in Your Second Half”. For the full details click here.

Lloyd Reeb
Lloyd Reeb is a successful real estate developer and retirement housing owner who made a mid-life transition, looking for greater meaning, joy and impact in his second half. To his surprise he discovered that he was not alone in this journey and that many talented leaders are longing for midlife renewal.

Lloyd has had the privilege of investing 20 years helping leaders plan their second half. He helped launch the Halftime Institute, a global team that teach, coach and connect successful men and women in pursuit of significance.

In Lloyd’s words, “When all you've done or own seems to matter less …and your heart craves more meaning, joy and balance...when something triggers in your mind that you're entering your second half of life and you're unsure what your calling is for the next season... you’re in Halftime.”

Lloyd has taken the Halftime message around the world: speaking, teaching and coaching individuals through the journey. As a result, he understands the issues that surround your Halftime in a deep and practical way.

He is the author of From Success to Significance: When the Pursuit of Success Isn’t Enough, which is a road map for this mid-life transition. His book The Second Half: Real stories, Real adventures, Real Significance provides compelling evidence that your second half could be the most creative and productive season of your life.

Lloyd and his wife, Linda, have written the book  Halftime for Couples. His latest e-book is Finally Connected: Deep, Rewarding Relationships in your Second Half.

Lloyd and Linda live on Lake Norman in North Carolina. They have three adult children - 2 daughters and 1 son - plus a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and 1 granddaughter.

Checkout Lloyd's articles:

Five Powerful Halftime Habits

Seeing the Hero In Being A Servant

A Write Way to Find Clarity

Check out Lloyd's TEDx Talk:

The Most Productive Years of Your Life May Surprise You