Admitting my mistake.... I worked all my life for others, lived frugally, saved into a 401K & IRA and hoped to be able to have enough to retire and enjoy life. (see chapter 1:The Great Deception). MJ spoke about retirement and his visualization/observations of what that life was for so many of my grandparents and parents generation as well as the "baby-boomer" generation (me). I could see it was true and I knew it but was not acting on it. :bgh:
My life in one paragraph: I graduated HS (mid 70's) and enrolled in the small local college and hated it. I half halfheartedly completed the first semester and quit. I didn't have a vision of what I wanted to do or how to make a decent living. I moved out from my parents determined I would land on my feet and could make it. Problem was, I didn't really have a defined path. I tried a few jobs which didn't pay well so eventually landed in construction working in the hot summer days in Texas. OK, I had exposure to what I thought was the path without college and I didn't like where it was going, so I went back to college (out of my home town). I worked my way through college working nights (11pm-7am) and attending classes during the day. I finally completed college after 5 1/2 years and received my degree. I finally got a decent paying job in the air conditioning
rolleyes and 30+ years later, still cruising in the slow lane. I've come to the realization that I am not going to be able to enjoy life to the fullest unless things change. I was so caught up in building my career and wealth for others, I never saw what was coming. I ate, slept and drank my career. I read, studied and worked hard to produce better results and strategies for companies I worked for to make more money. I was a road warrior, flying the friendly (and not so friendly) skies and living in hotels much of the year. I was making good income but the prime years of drawing my tenure based income was becoming more difficult. There was younger talent, that could and would do it for less. I was let go 2 1/2 months ago and not where I need to be financially to "retire." That was the best thing that could happen to me. I am truly blessed.
Well that life was the mistake that so many of my generation, not everyone but most, accepted and lived by. It was indeed, the "norm." I thought James Altucher explained it so well in the second chapter of "Choose Yourself" as he discusses the economic history and how it defined what "normal" people did to find the American dream. I'm writing this post, not to make excuses on how I lived my life, but to share my recent observations.
I have enjoyed the quite time of not working, clearing the mind and sole searching if you will. Reading books on starting a business and searching the web has been very enlightening to me as to what the current times have available. I do not believe that in my lifetime there has ever been so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur. If it was here before, I had my blinders on because I was so involved in my own world but WOW what opportunity!!!
Mentally and strategically, I have come so far these past couple of months I completely view life's opportunities differently. I'm grateful my journey has brought me to this place. I now view retirement as a time where a person has complete control of his financial independence as well as his most valued possession....time to use as he so desires. I see myself living the dream and know it will be happening. My greatest challenge is patience, accepting it is not going to happen overnight.
I know most on this forum recognize the opportunities out there. For those surfing though these forums and the web looking for confirmation on making a move away from the traditional way of doing things, take my advice, find a quiet place and clear your mind of the rat race and focus on what you need to do for yourself. The rest will come, with time.
:cheers:
My life in one paragraph: I graduated HS (mid 70's) and enrolled in the small local college and hated it. I half halfheartedly completed the first semester and quit. I didn't have a vision of what I wanted to do or how to make a decent living. I moved out from my parents determined I would land on my feet and could make it. Problem was, I didn't really have a defined path. I tried a few jobs which didn't pay well so eventually landed in construction working in the hot summer days in Texas. OK, I had exposure to what I thought was the path without college and I didn't like where it was going, so I went back to college (out of my home town). I worked my way through college working nights (11pm-7am) and attending classes during the day. I finally completed college after 5 1/2 years and received my degree. I finally got a decent paying job in the air conditioning
rolleyes and 30+ years later, still cruising in the slow lane. I've come to the realization that I am not going to be able to enjoy life to the fullest unless things change. I was so caught up in building my career and wealth for others, I never saw what was coming. I ate, slept and drank my career. I read, studied and worked hard to produce better results and strategies for companies I worked for to make more money. I was a road warrior, flying the friendly (and not so friendly) skies and living in hotels much of the year. I was making good income but the prime years of drawing my tenure based income was becoming more difficult. There was younger talent, that could and would do it for less. I was let go 2 1/2 months ago and not where I need to be financially to "retire." That was the best thing that could happen to me. I am truly blessed.Well that life was the mistake that so many of my generation, not everyone but most, accepted and lived by. It was indeed, the "norm." I thought James Altucher explained it so well in the second chapter of "Choose Yourself" as he discusses the economic history and how it defined what "normal" people did to find the American dream. I'm writing this post, not to make excuses on how I lived my life, but to share my recent observations.
I have enjoyed the quite time of not working, clearing the mind and sole searching if you will. Reading books on starting a business and searching the web has been very enlightening to me as to what the current times have available. I do not believe that in my lifetime there has ever been so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur. If it was here before, I had my blinders on because I was so involved in my own world but WOW what opportunity!!!
Mentally and strategically, I have come so far these past couple of months I completely view life's opportunities differently. I'm grateful my journey has brought me to this place. I now view retirement as a time where a person has complete control of his financial independence as well as his most valued possession....time to use as he so desires. I see myself living the dream and know it will be happening. My greatest challenge is patience, accepting it is not going to happen overnight.
I know most on this forum recognize the opportunities out there. For those surfing though these forums and the web looking for confirmation on making a move away from the traditional way of doing things, take my advice, find a quiet place and clear your mind of the rat race and focus on what you need to do for yourself. The rest will come, with time.
:cheers:
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