Lock in during the second quarter of your life to thrive in your Q4 era.

4 quarters of life

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Author and Founder of ‘20-first’ consultancy firm, has written for Forbes the map of life she believes will shape the road of a person’s life journey.

With its own arc, challenge and purpose, each quarter holds a significant role. As the one behind the steering wheel, it’s in your hands to set and flex your speed for the long haul.

• Q1 - GROW (age 0-24)

At the start of the 21st century, the term “emerging adulthood” was used for those aged 18 to 25, describing a "roleless role" where the young explore a wide variety of activities, unconstrained by "role requirements."

• Q2 - ACHIEVE (age 25-49)

This 'adulting' stage involves proving yourself, often to societal benchmarks. Once you succeed, you gain confidence to design your own path. Still, remember that there’s too much to do in a single quarter to do everything well.

• Q3 - BECOMING (age 50-74)

As careers stretch from 30-year sprints to 50-year marathons , breaks for parenting, education or side-hustles will become more common and acceptable. Parents who invest more time child-raising in Q2 may focus on careers in Q3.

• Q4 - HARVESTING (age 75-100)

Harvard's 75-year Grant Study reveals that strong, long-term relationships are key to a happy life. Those who have invested in growth will reap rewards in Q4, marked by generativity, legacy, giving back, grandparenting, and purpose.

Learn more about each of life’s quarters, and how it should be a quarterly transition than crisis, in the full article here .

Combating quarter-life crisis

The average person, even after knowing exactly how to navigate life, will still have their doubts and down moments. A quarter-life crisis should not be a thing, yet unfortunately it is inevitable for most.

Some challenges that may contribute to a quarter-life crisis include:

1. Job Dissatisfaction. Some may struggle to find work or have their first job loss, especially during and post-pandemic. Some else may be unhappy with their career.
2. Relationship problems. Breakups, romantic turmoil, and changes in friendships can lead to significant emotional stress and contribute to feelings of isolation.
3. Financial problems. New financial pressures such as housing or being the ‘sandwiched generation’ may arise, causing stress and anxiety.
4. Social pressures and expectations. People often compare themselves to societal expectations and feel stressed if they don't match their peers' milestones.
5. New responsibilities. Many young adults are having committed relationships, children, juggling social commitments, and dealing with work at the same time.

People will find their own ways to cope with the above challenges. Other than engaging in self-reflection, letting go of expectations, and avoiding comparison to others, make sure to give yourself permission to be agile and to change when needed.

Read more on the required skills to survive the dreaded quarter-life crisis here .

Finding purpose in the 4th Q

How many people still living in their Q2, already have a concrete plan of how their Q4 will look like? Most likely not a very high percentage.

In their book “The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most”, Matthew Kelly and Allen Hunt break down a framework that transforms this ‘last’ stage into a period of profound meaning and growth.

The key themes of your Q4 will include:

• Purposeful Aging: It’s never too late to uncover what truly matters. Rediscovering your core purpose is essential for a fulfilling “fourth quarter”.
• Intentionality: Rather than passively drifting through this stage of life, take active ownership of your time and choices.
• Letting Go: Decluttering goes beyond possessions; it involves shedding outdated habits, unhelpful relationships, and limiting beliefs.
• Legacy: Acknowledging mortality helps clarify priorities and live out the values we want to be remembered for.

The key of this framework, is turning what is usually seen as a ‘passive’ quarter of life into an ‘active’ one with the right mindset and tools. Make it more vibrant by:

• Having intentionality as a compass. Without goals in the “fourth quarter,” it’s easy to drift. Choose clear intentions on how you spend your time, energy, and resources, just like you did in your Q2 and Q3.
• Decluttering your spaces and your life. The clutter we accumulate is both physical and internal. Release burdens and distractions to make space for what truly lights you up and aligns with your values now.
• Facing mortality, embracing legacy. Our time on earth does have an expiration date. Use this understanding not as a source of despair, but rather as a potent motivator. What changes will you make if you know you have ten more years left?
• Trying out practical tools. Kickstart your self-reflection era by filling out exercises such as the “Eulogy Exercise” to gain clarity on legacy, or start on some journaling prompts to uncover and rediscover your core values.

Uncover more insights in the full book review, as well as more resources on preparing for your Q4, in the full Medium piece here .

After reading this week’s Monday Mavens edition, we hope you have a clearer picture of what your Q3 and Q4 will look like!

Already arrived in your Q3, or even Q4? Share your life lessons in the comments below. The Q2-ers will surely appreciate them!

Come back again next Monday for more from Monday Mavens.