"Can You Work (or Have a Vocation) Until You're 100 Years Old?". Think. Plan. Do. Make Bold Steps towards your Growth in three minutes or less.

Fearless Entrepreneur & Leader. JULIA LECKEY’S BLOG

by Julia Leckey . 22nd August 2024

Welcome to the 2nd bi-weekly edition of Think, Plan, Do. I'll guide you through my process of launching two businesses in 2024, sharing insights on being a fearless leader and entrepreneur, and how you can grow boldly in your life. Even if you're not starting a business, this will help you achieve your goals and develop a fearless mindset.

Why Does a Fearless Mindset Matter?

It fosters curiosity, creativity, innovation, resilience, and risk-taking—essential for driving growth and creating impactful change. Growth is where learning happens.

Yay.

Work on what you love and make a difference.

Contribute positively to our world.

Let's go!

1/ THINK ??

"Can You Work (or Have a Vocation) Until You're 100 Years Old?"

I’ve been thinking a lot lately as I plan out my two business models to ensure they are “future-proof.” My goal is to create a path that allows me to pursue a portfolio career well into old age—perhaps even until I’m 100!

Something to THINK about:?Which word best describes your career now—Vocation or Work?

• Work?is simply "tasks to be undertaken."
• Vocation?is a "dedicated pursuit that brings meaning and requires commitment."

These are very different concepts. Defining which one you’re currently engaged in versus what you desire for your future might help shape your perspective.

Why is this important?

1.??????? Passion Over Retirement:?Do you love what you do? If so, would you want to retire at the traditional age? Or would you happily work until your 100. I find Vivienne Westwood incredibly inspiring—she lived her vocation well into her 80s! I absolutely love this video about her story. She truly rocked life! Watch it?here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvj83Pr723Y

2.??????? Defining Success:?I want to define what a successful life means to me—good health, longevity, happiness, financial stability, family time, etc.—and aim to live to be 100.

3.??????? Future-Proofing:?I’m determined to “future-proof” my life. At 51, I'm making some bold moves to secure my future.

Something to THINK about:?What do I love? What can I earn money doing? Can I do it into my old age, say until I’m 100? See the diagram below…

Example:

Take my 76-year-old dad. When he left his role as a Headteacher at 58, he didn’t "retired." His income didn’t drop off a cliff; instead, he transitioned into a new chapter that allowed him to continue his vocation into his 70s, doing what he loves. His plan revolved around his passions: ART + MATHS + MENTORING.

• He paints, exhibits his art, and runs art workshops =?ART
• He’s Secretary of a prestigious art society and Treasurer of another =?MATHS
• Until last year, he was Head of the Headteachers' Forum and is still a Governor at a local school =?MENTORING

He’s had four careers in his life: Accountant, Salvation Army Officer, Headteacher, and Artist. He never retired—he simply evolved. His passion for growth has always inspired me, and he has consistently “future-proofed” his life so he could continue doing what he loves—even into his 100s. Plus, many of these activities also provide him with regular income—BONUS!

Can you live to 100?

I recently read?Lifespan?by Dr. David Sinclair, which explores how advances in health and biotechnology might extend our lives well beyond 100. But what does living to 100 really mean?

It’s not just about longevity; it’s about how we spend those years and how we fund them. Living to 100 may seem daunting, but it’s a strong motivator to reassess how you’re spending your time today. My battle with cancer made me deeply consider what I wanted from life. It led me to write two books—something I’d planned for retirement. That experience shifted my perspective, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t want to reach 100 and wonder what I did with my life!

Get Inspired!

The 100-Year Life?by Lynda Gratton & Andrew Scott made me rethink work and life. The traditional three-stage life—education, work, retirement—is breaking down. With longer life expectancy, vanishing pensions, and changing work patterns, we need a new approach. Instead of fearing ?this change—embrace it.

The future job market is unpredictable. A long career will involve multiple roles across industries. Early education won’t suffice; ongoing upskilling, pivoting, and networking are crucial. Developing a Fearless mental agility will help you adapt.

How can knowing this help you?

You can “future-proof” your life and not leave it to chance. Considering a longer vocation (note: not just work) could mean your pension pot keeps growing, you have purpose longer, and you have a compelling reason to look after your health.

Bringing it back to my two businesses:

I love writing, art/creativity, and “Coachmentoring.” Can I make money doing them? Yes. Can I do them into my old age? Absolutely!

In Thinking Fearlessly , my coaching business, I love helping leaders and entrepreneurs grow = Coachmentoring, yah!

At Land of Colourful Creatures , it all started with a book. That book has since evolved into a business filled with art, creativity, and writing = Art/Creativity.

Yay! ?? Make time for THINKING ??

2/ PLAN ??

I love a Plan.

I believe nothing has weight unless it’s written down. The lessons I’ve learned from my first two businesses have made me crystal clear on the importance of planning.

During my health crises, I created a plan that I believe helped save my life. It became the foundation for my book?"Thinking Fearlessly to Grow Healthy and Wealthy,"?outlining 7 steps that guided my recovery. Yay to a plan!

My goal was simple but profound: give my health the best chance of recovery. This required a well-thought-out plan, careful exploration and luck!

I also plan because if I do live to 100, it’s essential to have a roadmap and consistently work on it. I’ve studied numerous examples and resources, but these standout books have significantly shaped my strategy:

Must-Read Books if You Want to Start Your Plan:

1.??????? Lifespan by Dr. David Sinclair Unlock the science behind living longer and healthier.

2.??????? Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles Discover the philosophy of finding purpose for a meaningful life.

3.??????? You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay Transform your life with positive thinking and personal healing.

My FEARLESSME Programme

My FEARLESSME programme helps Leaders and Entrepreneurs "Future-proof" their Career and Life Plan, focusing on their 6 Ps: Passion, Purpose, Pitch, Profile, Profit, and Planning. In 6 weeks, participants are guided to Think, Plan, and Do to shape their future.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”?— Peter Drucker

Something to Plan: What Does Your Future-Proof Career and Life plan look like?

Yes, I love a PLAN ??

3/ DO ??

There’s no point in Thinking and Planning without Doing…

In coaching, I often see people feeling burnt out and overwhelmed. This reminds me of when I started my first business - it grew rapidly, which was fantastic, but with two kids, it became too much. Health challenges forced me to refocus, and Deep Work by Cal Newport was pivotal. Newport Emphasis deep, focused work session.

Now, I work in 90-minute focused intervals, which are far more productive than constant, scattered effort. Doing is important, but you need to DO with focus.

In the spirit of doing, I’ve accomplished three BIG things in the last two weeks - ?fun, family-oriented, and foundation-building:

1.??????? Fun: I’m finally releasing the Colourful Creatures audiobook on 2nd September, recorded by Actress Charlie Brooks three years ago. I’ve let go of the need for perfection – it’s time to get it out there.

1. Foundation: I secured time with a publishing expert house to help develop my next book. His decades of experience will boost my momentum and push me forward as an author (I hope:)

3.??????? Family: My 18-year-old son got his A-level results last week, and I’m so proud. He has grown into a hardworking, curious maths and computer science enthusiast. I started my first business when he was 11 months old, leaving WPP to forge my own path. As a first-time mum, I felt guilty about dropping him off at nursery four days a week. Looking back, I now see that guilt as “WTF” – “Wasted Time Fearfully.” Don’t do that to yourself; it’s wasted time and energy.

Something to DO: How do you build your thinking into a plan and then into daily Do’s? See my FUTURE Proof DO sheet below I help coach people though the process (systems and process help)

What on thing can you...

THINK??

PLAN ??.

DO ??

...this week to power your boat?

I hope this helps,

Julia x

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Julia Leckey: Parents: Salvation Army officers, Social Worker, Accountant, Headteacher, Artist, entrepreneurs. Studied at Nottingham Trent. WPP as a Director.? Started own business at 31 with a baby; grew to high 7 figures. Sold it. Started new business at 43 with two boys; grew to 7 figures. Sold it. Started Thinking Fearlessly. Started Land of Colourful Creatures. Two cancers. Learned not to let FEAR drive my car.

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