4180 - The three boxes of life.
Author: Richard N.Bolles
Description: This groundbreaking life‑planning guide challenges the conventional three‑stage life model of education, work, and retirement—referred to as “boxes”—and encourages readers to purposely reorder or overlap them. Bolles advises on recognizing these mental boxes, using them as flexible tools rather than limitations. The book offers honest self‑reflection, a compassionate and humorous tone, and practical exercises—skills inventories, goal evaluations, and templates—to design a personalized life path that integrates growth, meaningful work, and purposeful leisure . ⸻ Keywords: life planning, career development, self‑assessment, life stages, retirement, work‑life balance, personal fulfillment ⸻ Ideal for: Readers who feel boxed into conventional life stages, career changers, retirees seeking renewed purpose, students anticipating life transitions, and anyone wanting proactive control over their life path. ⸻ Age: 18 years and up (best suited for adults navigating major life or career transitions) ⸻ Theme: Breaking free from limiting life paradigms, integrating education/work/leisure, self‑exploration, designing a purpose‑driven life ⸻ Tone: Conversational, encouraging, thoughtful, lightly humorous, and practical ⸻ Book Type: Life‑planning/self‑help manual; structured workbook; personal development guide ⸻ Length: Approximately 466 pages.