Below twitter post really hit me hard. I am 46 and I think I am doing the same mistake these senior people talk about. If we were to ask you the same questions, what would your answer be? You don't have to be 80 or 90. I ask this to anybody who is currently retired regardless of age. Biggest Regrets in life Biggest Lessons in life Advice to your younger self https://x.com/MrPassive_/status/1777677318611255482
I made the classic mistake. I chased a career to support my family. I made a crap ton of money and thought I was king of the world, then lost it all and realized I had actually been chasing my tail. I missed out on so many precious moments that I'll never get to experience with my wife, my kids, even my parents when they were alive. They say no one lays on their deathbed thinking, "I should have spent more time at the office". It's absolutely true.
Many clichés about life become that way because they are basic truths that most people become numb against taking seriously. Understand the truths of those clichés and life will be a lot easier.
byz Can you elaborate on this a little? The cliche about "money" bothers me to be honest. I will tell more. But let me see if you will chose to elaborate a little. I was born to poor parents in a village 50 miles from Iraq. My parents didn't know how to read and write. So I grew up missing out on many things that required money. So I made "money" my priority. That's why I work like a dog. I sacrificed time with my kids and chose career obligations(business trips) over it. So to me, not having money down the road where I can't help myself or my kids is more important than spending more time with them. In middle of my 40's I am scared of not having enough money during my retirement to pay for basic necessities. But these guys tell me that money isn't that important. So I am a little confused that's why I wanted to hear from folks who are retired currently.
Things like "You can be great at anything if you put your mind to it" are oversimplified life truths that if you examine them a little closer, you can be great at anything, but what exactly is "put your mind to it"? My own definition for that is a completely made-up percentage of 40% honed skill and 60% mad obsession to learn. And what is the definition of"anything"? I don't personally take it to mean one person can be great at all things, but all things are subject to some cross section of people who can garner enough obsession to be great at each of those specific things. Many people get pushed into lives as worker ants because they are now conditioned to strive for the highest degree of comfort within a convenient reach, over the things they are far better suited to pursuing but are discouraged about the inconvenience of it all. You only live once. That's another one.
I'm 65, retired this past September. I was in real estate development in Atlanta in the early 2000s. Me and a couple other guys owned that town. Then came federal accusations of racketeering, RICO violations (completely unfounded, mind you). Then the market crashed and it all went up in smoke. I started over in a new field and became a restaurateur in the Carolinas. This past summer, because of my health challenges, my kids and some of my siblings packed up everything to move near me. Now we are trying to make up for lost time before there's no time left.
Thank you. I was never a risk taker in my life. I always chased the safe option. Even now. I got tons of experience. People tell me I should start my own consulting company but I still chose to be part of corporate America and chase a paycheck. I think this will be my regret if I make it to be 60+ years old.
I don’t think so Brook. Consultancy is a fucking terrible game. You have to convince them to contract with you, then you have to convince them to extend before you even get the work done. Belts are getting tighter and when that happens the first budget to be slashed is then consulting budget
I spent high school in the computer lab on tgg instead of learning. Tgg ruined my life. Thanks Petro! Sent from my genius mind.
I’m skiing under the banner of heaven in Utah. I got nothing smart to say above and beyond what byz wrote. I would encourage anyone young enough that they don’t yet have wives, kids and minivans to do something they love. You’re gonna work your ass off no matter what you might well be doing something you enjoy anyway. And what you’ll find out is that you’re exponentially more likely to be excellent at and well compensated for it. Nothing herein should be construed in any manner to represent Dierking’s life choices. Do as I say, not as I do.
Best thing I ever did was become a freelancer in my field. It opened up more opportunities while giving me the freedom to turn down jobs I didn't want to do. Also enabled me to take on work outside my skill set. Things never got stale. I've got a really weird resume...
