Quote:
Originally Posted by macafee2
when I was a kid I wanted to grow up, get a motorbike, get married have children own my own home. At Work, I wanted to bet promotion to technical officer.
I have done all these things, nothing special, nothing like sailing around the world single handed or winning gold at the Olympics but nevertheless my "dream"
how about you?
macafee2
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At 45 with a huge mortgage, two children, and lots of unending bills - all I wanted to do was retire ASAP and start life’s longest holiday. As I owned the business I had a vested interest in its success and worked long hours and weekends were as much to clear the desks as family.
Tough times but good times. If it had failed - we could have lost everything.
At 55 the mortgage was anything but huge, the kids were pretty much financially independent and my business was fine and rather than doing everything- I did only what I wanted to do and had a good team around me to what they were good at (and that I wasn’t
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By 65 the business was sold and I had a couple of years to go as “Consultant” to ensure smooth transition. Between us we achieved just over 98% customer retention. A testament to my choice of takeover firm - I was offered more money by others but I wanted the same customer focus that I had. The others had no idea of this basic business principle and their business model seemed to be mopping up other businesses and not caring about the most important asset! - the goodwill and the customers themselves.
Now I still do what I want - and get a pathetic enjoyment out of gardening, dog walking and having a laugh with friends.
But as I approach 67 later this year - I have to remind myself to take each day as it comes. Our next door neighbour’s brothers wife died unexpectedly yesterday.
Looking back at past success and achievements is a nice activity. But you know what? - I get more pleasure from the greeting my dogs give me when I walk in the door, the eating of fruit and veg I grew myself, than all the work I used to do.