At the Academy of Life Planning, we celebrate thought leaders whose ideas align with our mission of helping individuals and practitioners create balanced, purpose-driven lives. Arthur C. Brooks is one such inspiring figure, whose transformative work resonates deeply with our ethos and the principles of the GAME Plan framework.
With a unique blend of academic rigour and practical wisdom, Arthur bridges the gap between science, philosophy, and everyday life. His teachings offer invaluable insights for anyone seeking a meaningful existence, whether you’re embarking on the second half of your life, supporting clients on their journeys, or simply looking to find deeper happiness in your day-to-day.
Arthur’s Key Teachings
Arthur’s recent works—From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey)—are guides to thriving through life’s inevitable changes and challenges. They provide actionable strategies to:
- Redefine success: Move beyond the relentless striving of your earlier years to embrace a more fulfilling, purpose-led life.
- Foster connection: Strengthen family ties, nurture friendships, and build trust in relationships that bring lasting joy.
- Navigate transitions: Turn the challenges of ageing, career shifts, and personal changes into opportunities for growth and resilience.
- Cultivate inner peace: Develop practices like mindfulness, spirituality, or reflection to foster clarity, calm, and happiness.
These lessons align beautifully with the values of the Academy, where we encourage members to help clients navigate life’s transitions with confidence and clarity. Arthur’s teachings remind us that true fulfilment comes not from accumulation but from alignment—living in harmony with our deepest values and priorities.
You can find Arthur C. Brooks’ books, From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want, on their respective Amazon pages:
- From Strength to Strength: Amazon Link
- Build the Life You Want: Amazon Link
Additionally, Arthur C. Brooks’ official website provides resources and media kits that may contain the images you need: Arthur Brooks’ Website
For Academy Members
As practitioners of the GAME Plan methodology, you already understand the power of purpose-driven planning. Arthur’s work reinforces these principles, offering fresh insights and perspectives to integrate into your practice.
His focus on redefining success and embracing life’s second act is particularly relevant for clients entering new life phases. Whether they’re retiring, pursuing a new career path, or searching for meaning after major life changes, his teachings can enhance your ability to guide them with empathy and expertise.
Inspiration for Your Practice
Arthur’s work is not only transformative for clients but also for us as practitioners. It challenges us to reflect on our own journeys and consider how we can embody the principles of happiness, purpose, and connection in our professional and personal lives.
As members of the Academy, you have access to a supportive community and mentorship to help integrate these ideas into your practice. Together, we can continue to create impactful, values-aligned planning that empowers clients to lead richer, more fulfilling lives.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you’d like to explore Arthur’s ideas further, I recommend picking up a copy of his latest books or revisiting his talks and articles. Let’s discuss how his teachings resonate with your experiences and how we can incorporate them into our mentorship sessions.
Arthur C. Brooks reminds us all that the best years of our lives are the ones we design with intention. Through the Academy, let’s continue to build on these insights, fostering a world where purpose, happiness, and financial security go hand in hand.
From Strength to Strength: A Guide to Thriving in the Second Half of Life
Arthur C. Brooks’ From Strength to Strength is a deeply insightful and uplifting guide for anyone navigating the challenges and opportunities of life’s later chapters. In his warm, relatable style, Brooks invites us to reframe what success, happiness, and fulfilment mean as we grow older—and shows us how to embrace these changes with grace and purpose.
The book offers a powerful message: life doesn’t stop being meaningful when our early achievements fade; in fact, it can become even richer. Drawing on science, philosophy, and timeless wisdom, Brooks explains that the second half of life is not about clinging to old ways of being. Instead, it’s about redefining success, letting go of the pressure to always achieve more, and discovering deep purpose in new ways.
Some of the standout lessons include:
- Breaking free from the “striver’s curse”: For many, success has been tied to relentless effort and sacrifice. Brooks helps us see how releasing these habits can lead to greater peace and joy.
- Redefining strength: By embracing vulnerability and recognising our natural shifts in capacity, we find a new kind of resilience that’s rooted in wisdom and perspective.
- Creating space for spiritual growth: Whether through meditation, reflection, or exploring deeper connections, Brooks encourages us to nurture our inner lives as a source of lasting fulfilment.
The book’s brilliance lies in its accessibility. Brooks takes complex ideas—like meditating on mortality to reduce fear—and presents them in a way that feels both practical and empowering. His work isn’t about lofty ideals or unattainable goals; it’s about everyday practices that help you live with more joy, connection, and purpose.
For anyone feeling stuck, restless, or uncertain about life’s next chapter, From Strength to Strength is a guide to renewal. It reassures us that change, while inevitable, is not something to fear. Instead, it’s an invitation to grow in ways we never imagined.
If this resonates with you, take the next step in crafting a life of balance, security, and meaning. At the Academy of Life Planning, we share Brooks’ ethos of embracing transitions with purpose and clarity. Whether you’re planning your own future or helping others find their path, we provide the tools, support, and community to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for deeper fulfilment. Let’s move forward together.
Build the Life You Want: A Blueprint for Happiness
In Build the Life You Want, Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey team up to offer an inspiring, practical guide to creating a happier, more fulfilling life. With a blend of cutting-edge research and personal wisdom, they remind us that happiness isn’t something we passively receive—it’s something we actively build, even in the face of life’s challenges.
The message is clear: no matter your circumstances, you have the power to take charge of your happiness. With a roadmap grounded in science and enriched by the lived experiences of two trailblazing leaders, this book empowers readers to make meaningful changes, one step at a time.
Here’s what you’ll discover:
- Mastering your emotions: Learn how to respond to life’s ups and downs with clarity and resilience, so you’re in control of your outlook.
- Transforming challenges into growth: Life will always present difficulties, but this book shows how those moments can be catalysts for strength and wisdom.
- Deepening relationships: Strengthen bonds with family and friends through trust, mutual understanding, and practical strategies for connection.
- Reinventing your work-life approach: Find satisfaction and alignment between your career and personal values, creating a more balanced, meaningful existence.
- Nurturing inner peace: Explore the transformative power of spirituality, mindfulness, or quiet reflection to cultivate calm and purpose in your daily life.
What makes Build the Life You Want so impactful is its accessibility. Brooks and Winfrey take profound concepts and present them in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Their stories—both personal and professional—add a layer of relatability, making it feel like you’re being guided by trusted mentors.
The book also serves as a practical toolkit. Each chapter is filled with actionable insights, offering something tangible to try, whether it’s a technique to strengthen relationships, a method for managing stress, or a perspective shift to unlock joy.
If you’ve ever felt like happiness is out of reach, this book is a reassuring reminder that it’s not only possible but within your control. With every turn of the page, you’ll grow your “happiness skills” and gain the confidence to take charge of your journey.
At the Academy of Life Planning, we share this vision of empowerment. Like Brooks and Winfrey, we believe in building a life that aligns with your values, purpose, and aspirations. Whether it’s through holistic financial planning, exploring new directions, or navigating life’s transitions, we’re here to help you create a life that feels authentically yours. Let’s work together to turn your vision into reality.
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