Chapter 6 Decision-Making Patterns after 50

By the time you reach age 50, you have developed values, made many decisions, experienced the good and the bad, and have created many of the chapters of your life history. Your decision-making at this point often reflects this history and follows a pattern which may or may not have used your creative talents or resulted in the most creative choice. One of the exciting discoveries in our research was that there were actually four patterns for making midlife decisions, not just one. They are: the Adaptor, the Analyzer, the Improviser, and the Seeker. While each of these patterns has commonalities, there are differences because of individual attitudes toward risk and toward the pace of change, approach to decision making and creativity, as you will see below.
Before you move to identify your pattern, it is important to understand that there is no one right pattern that makes the best, most creative choice. They all can. And no one pattern leads to a pre-ordained outcome. Some of those who followed the Adaptor pattern are fully retired, while others are in second careers. Those who followed the Seeker pattern include a woman who adopted children in her late forties and a man who has finally entered Divinity School after having this dream for many years. You will see a range of outcomes, reinforcing the concept that there is no one right way to make decisions after 50 and no one right decision either!
One more word of caution: While the diagram below is divided with hard lines, not all individuals fall neatly into a quadrant. As you look at these characteristics, you should not try a force fit but rather identify one or two areas that you feel most comfortably define your pattern. The intent is not to box you in but rather to help you see yourself through a pattern or patterns that fit you. These patterns can serve to guide your midlife decision making. Because patterns are often dynamic and fluid, you may experience more than one and can learn from them all.

Adaptor – consistent in approach; readily takes small steps; choices tend to be incremental.

* An external catalyst may drive the decision, such as a layoff, or turning 65
* Uses a methodical approach to decision-making
* Tends to be risk averse
* Creativity comes from building on the work of others or what has been done in the past
* 6 months – 2 year time frame
Improviser -- free-flowing; moves readily through choices; and thrives on new adventures.

* An internal catalyst or motivation drives the decision, such as wanting more fun or escaping boredom
* Is spontaneous and opportunistic in decision-making
* Risk tolerant, quick to take risks
* Creativity: Reacts to the five senses, tends to be skillful and instinctual
* 6 months – lifetime

Analyzer - thoughtful; takes time to explore and move to conclusions; may ultimately take greater leaps.

* An external catalyst may drive the decision, such as a layoff, turning 65
* Uses a methodical approach to decision-making
* Willing to take moderate risk
* Creativity comes through thinking differently about the world and developing blueprints for the future
* 2 – 3 year time frame
Seeker -- often driven by a life-long quest, to find a passion, and purpose.

* An internal catalyst or motivation such as a life-long dream drives the decision
* Use an evolutionary approach to decision-making
* Not driven by security, driven by finding meaning
* Creativity comes through focusing on others and on a concern for the underlying values of life
* 2 – 20 year time frame


Here are some brief stories about each of the patterns.

The Adaptor Pattern: Helen’s and Glenn’s decision-making process follows the Adaptor Pattern. In each case their decisions were caused by an external event, a request for early retirement and reaching their organization’s mandatory retirement age of 65. Their mental models of themselves have gone through incremental changes over time. They have been somewhat risk averse and thoughtful in their approach to midlife decision-making, taking one small step at a time. Their risks have been calculated. They have been quite methodical and have carefully researched their options among their choices for a next set of activities, relying on their creativity to build on familiar skills and activities and what has been done before. Helen has taken several concrete steps to identify her skills, take courses, do research, and gradually move from full-time corporate employment to part-time independent consulting. Glenn did much the same, moving from full time investment banking through personal and financial counseling to part-time trust fund management.

The Analyzer Pattern. Tim and Sheryl are examples of those living the Analyzer pattern. In dealing with midlife decisions, both have chosen to be more analytical, weighing pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages over a considerable period of months, even years. They have struggled with replacing their mental models of themselves, being well attached to their prior identities and self-images. Their catalysts for decisions have tended to be externally caused (from scheduled retirement or unexpected layoff). Through their thoughtful, intellectual probing, they have come to find new focus. They are open to new directions but tend to take careful steps before relinquishing the past and don’t take major leaps in risk. Their creativity comes out in the ways they organize and strategize how to move forward. Those who follow the Analyzer pattern usually need time to make decisions. They may eventually end up in an unexpected direction but not without doing research and making conscious shifts of their mental models. In the process, they may have to figure out how to balance personal and professional choices.

The Improviser Pattern: Karen and Sam both follow the Improviser Pattern. Their need to make decisions after 50 was internally driven, coming from a desire to try something new and stave off boredom. Both had changed careers frequently, shifting in one case from social work to religion, to coaching, and writing, and in the other through many different entrepreneurial ventures. Their timeframes have tended to be shorter term since they tend to live in the present and are not too concerned about the future or the consequences of their decisions. They make decisions rather quickly and instinctively, and then try out new directions, recognizing that they will need to adapt and adjust as they move forward. They have taken many risks in the process, but are fine with that because they prefer a life of constant change and exploration. Midlife decisions tend to be seen as just another transition or adventure in their lives. Their creativity comes out in their instinctive and skillful responsiveness to the many opportunities that come their way. Their mental models of themselves are constantly evolving and changing, like a kaleidoscope with endless variations on a theme. Said another participant reflecting the Improviser pattern:
I love change. My favorite metaphor for life is in terms of chapters. Chapters must end for the story to move ahead. I would be bored to death if I thought I’d be stuck in the same scenario for the next 30 years. I’d like to do two or three complete novels in that time! Other than my sons, nothing is more important to me right now than moving on and continuing to grow.

The Seeker Pattern. Wendy and Henry have chosen a different path. They have followed the “Seeker” pattern, which has resulted for them in a new mental model of themselves, one that is radically different from their former ones. One other participant who seems to be following the Seeker pattern talked about a “major overhaul, from the inside out, which is resulting in a complete change in outer circumstances.” Wendy moved from being a successful stockbroker to mother and secondary school teacher late in life. Henry changed from technology manager in a university to minister in a mainstream Protestant denomination. In both cases, the decision was caused by an internal catalyst for change, to pursue a lifelong passion and dream that took years to be realized. The decisions resulted in the need to take considerable risk. They each gave up a financially secure position to find more meaning in life. Their creativity has come out through finding ways to work with and care for others and through an appreciation for deeper personal values.

Decisions after 50 can take you in many directions: next door, down the street, or across the globe. The many different stories indeed provide the insight that your current quest can lead you in different directions -- to a satisfying and inspiring new stage of life, to increased satisfaction with your present life, or to a gradual move in a planned direction.
Certainly, each decision after 50 about what to do next is unique. Your needs and circumstances will determine the context for your decisions. However, recognition and use of these patterns can help you understand individual differences in the decision-making process after 50. By reviewing these differentiators, you can learn more about your decision-making approach and perhaps see the value of trying a new pattern on for fun.
[Were you able to identify a pattern that reflected your approach to making decisions after 50? Did you find the information useful? Why or why not?]

Conclusion
The insights we gained from our research were very helpful to us and to others with whom we have shared this information. We hope this information has also helped you understand why decisions after 50 differ from those at earlier stages of your life. You now understand that midlife is the time to explore new mental models, exploit your creative talents, experiment with new tools, and exercise alternate patterns of decision making. We would appreciate any feedback you have on this material!