I'M SURE, ESPECIALLY FOR YOU OLD-TIMERS, THAT THE BIGGEST KICK YOU GET OUT OF THIS WORK THAT WE DO, IS "LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!" WE'VE LONG-SINCE FIGURED OUT THAT THE MONEY AIN'T WHERE IT'S AT.....NOT HARDLY! THE BEST THING ABOUT THE GETTING OLDER PART, IS THAT THE KIDS HAVE MOVED OUT, AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE SOMEWHAT DIMINISHED, SO THE DRIVE FOR "CRACKING THE NUT" ISN'T AS MANDATORY AS IT USED TO BE! WITH THE STRESS LEVEL BECOMING A NON-ISSUE, WE GET TO PUT MORE OF OURSELVES INTO THE FUN AND LEARNING OF THIS GREAT CAREER WE HAVE CHOSEN.
How do YOU feel about it? YOU OLD-TIMERS HAVING FUN?....OR DO YOU REALLY SEE "RETIREMENT" IN YOUR FUTURE!?
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Mornin' BOB. Well since I am not as (ahem) OLD as you, my kids have not moved out yet. But yes I know whatcha mean about learning something new everyday. Today I learned that people do not always email things when they say they will. (I am waiting for a logo) but another thing I have learned in getting older is, OFW (oh ....... Well). It doesn't matter. Move on to something else.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Bob
I know of what you speak. My kids have moved out a few years ago... We have drastically downsized the company and number of employees. THe best part is I still work with my kids every day... and love it.
While I thoroughly enjoyed those past years I am enjoying what's on my plate now.
Learning every day... YOU BET!
And as for retirement... well there are many folks who thought I did that 23 years ago. After all, my definition of retirement is quitting work to do what you love instead.
That's been my definition of what I do each day for these last 23 years.
I do hope to continue 'working' more and more exclusively for ourselves as a client. THere's nothing more satisfying and rewarding. I love working with no limits and no brakes. I just start the job at the beginning and when I'm done I'm done... I don't worry about time lines or budgets or what the client might like... after all Janis and I are the clients.
Well, off to another busy day of learning and 'retirement'.
-dan
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
All that grey in your beard is talking. I'm reaching the point where I need to slow down some, but I still have 2 at home. I heard the call last night as my 14 year old asked for some money to go to his 8th grade graduation dance and the dinner beforehand. "$75 ought to be enough" he says....
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
I AM retired! I shifted gears almost 2 years ago and I am loving every minute of it. Learning? You bet. You see, I had never even seen the inside of a sign shop, but I knew this is what I wanted. I'm the oldest newbie on the block!
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
retire???? wear those ugly clothes and play golf....NFW!!!!!! i guess i retired whrn i quite my last real "paycheck job". and that was in 86!!! ill be doin this till the hands wont hold a brush.....or the back wont let me lift the paint kit!!!!! learnin...yep....everyday....and enjoying the diversity of the people i meet, some good some bad, but i can pick and choose who i work for...the biggest advantage i got!!!!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Well, I don't know about the rest of ya, but it seems to me that the more I learn, the more I realize how little I knew. Before long, I'm gonna realize what an idiot I am!
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
GLENN: IS THAT YOUR BABY PICTURE? haw-haw!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Yup! Sure is nice not to have that "nut to crack"!!!!Kids gone also means MUCH lower grocery and utilities bills!
Retire? Never!!!!! Having too much fun to retire! Best part is being able to say "NO!" more often to those cheepo and PIA jobs!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Bob, Yep! That's me at 3 doing my Don King impression. Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Great topic Bob ... one of these days you'll even learn what the CAPS LOCK key is for !! Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
HEY MIKE, I HATE LOWER CASE! .......so sue me!
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Heheheeee !! - Just yanking your chain... I've been around the BB enough to know that you can find the caps lock when you really want to. .... (usually when you're addressing one of the ladies).
Posted by Eric Barker (Member # 2972) on :
Bob, You're so right; learning about something you love is where it's at.
Dan, Well said.
Kathy, Dang! I thought I was the oldest newbie.
Old Paint, Right on!
Glenn, Your plastic surgeon is incredible!
Mike, BOB RULES!!!!!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I don't know about the rest of you, but if someone was cracking my nuts, I would definately have to do something about it.
Have a great one!
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Eric, I read your post under another topic and realized that we are tied for that honor. Almost two years ago I started at age 54. Ain't we brave? Or stupid? Baut we are having the time of our lives aren't we?
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I love what I do and will never retire until they pull the brush from my cold dead hand!
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
I'm with Joey....
I reckon one day I will be pulling a brush on some beautiful script and "aaarrrggg..gg,,.....games over!!" Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Sold the shop last year, work from my garage and van, all brush/paint, no computer,enter more XC & DH mountainbike races, breathe...
glad I made the change, less secure, more fun.
John / BIG TOP Graphics
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
John, Someday, I hope to learn, firsthand, why BC is such a Mecca for MB enthusiasts!
sp!
[ May 24, 2002, 06:41 AM: Message edited by: Steve Purcell ]
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Steve, the gnarl factor here is the secret!!
Half hour from my place, you're on the North Shore,STEEP TRAILS, THE RAINFOREST MEETS THE SEA!The interior of the province has huge variety of terrain, the Island is great. But you know, wherever you are on a bike seems to be real fine, Check out Dirt Rag magazine out of Phila. All about the East/Midwest.They believe they're in the HOT SPOTS" And they are!
Again, it's the mighty rainforest here, and the fact that we're on the edge of the country, so all the slackers tend to roll out this way. GOL
BTW, if ever you, or any other letterheads get out here, ...Let's Ride!
John / BIG TOP Graphics / Signrider (TM)
Posted by Eric Barker (Member # 2972) on :
John,
It sounds like a great place for a mountainbiker to live. The singletrack isn't to shabby here in NE Oregon, either; lots of mountains and very few people. I'll have to load up my bike and head north one of these days.
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hey Eric, good to hear from you. I will email you and talk riding in depth!!
BTW, all you signpeople out there, do yourself a favour, and get out and ride, or golf, or streetskate, surf,whatever, just to disconnect with your "work"(which you love, I know) and focus ONLY ON THE FUN AT HAND(and surviving the activity, too) makes returning to "reality" a treat, or at least less stressful.
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