Learning to Play Snakes and Ladders

I recall growing up that I had the impression that life would be like building a house. You start with a foundation (mostly education), then add the walls (get a job, get married, etc.), then put on the roof (have kids, get a house, etc) and then you are done.

Maybe this came from watching too many Disney cartoons and seeing that no matter what, they always seem to live happily ever after.

Having worked with countless individuals and having lived somewhat myself, I am now certain that life is a lot more like snakes and ladders than it is like building a house.