Paul Newman's four career stages (and what they mean for you)

Paul Newman was one of the great American movie stars. He once said the life span of an actor has four stages...

"At the beginning of your career it's, 'Who is Paul Newman?'

Then it's, 'Get me Paul Newman.'

Then it's, 'Get me a young Paul Newman.'

And then? It's 'Who is Paul Newman?'"

Just about every actor starts their story as a total unknown. Just about everyone ends it that way, too.

This doesn't just apply to actors.

Look at any career trajectory:
First they don't know who you are
Then they can't get enough of you (hopefully)
Then they want the next version of you
Then... well, y'know.

Does this sound disempowering? I reckon it's the opposite.

When you realize the vast majority of careers follows this arc, it frees you to focus on what matters:

• Building while they're asking "who?"
• Delivering while they're demanding
• Reinventing while they're moving on
• Creating your next chapter while they're forgetting the previous ones
  

Newman's response to the fourth stage? He built a food company that's donated over $570 million to charity.

Turns out "Who is Paul Newman?" was exactly the right question to ask.

The real work happens in the spaces between the stages.

You know that, though.

The question is - what will you build in yours?