Three years ago I turned 55. I know! I can hardly believe it myself.
I made it this far. Who’d a thunk.
Three years I also had what I now call my existential beach crisis.
It all started when I was standing in our spacious, open concept kitchen, looking across to our dining room, a “family room”, and over the other way, the official family room, complete with leather furniture. PLUS, we had a fully decked out room in the downstairs area, with a 60 inch plasma screen TeeVee, ping pong table and sauna. The whole dealeo.
I stood there, pondered: “Do we really need three living rooms? Really?”
Thus began my crisis. We sold the house, with studio, cleaned out about 90% of our possessions, and started spending more time in Costa Rica, where my beach crisis began.
I have NO regrets minimizing our possessions. It’s a cool exercise, and I’d do it again in a flash.
However, I was without a studio for about 1.5 years. That part got to me.
WHY?
I realized I am what I am….a photographer. I need my studio.
So, first opportunity came up and we jumped back into a studio. Last week we completed the wall samples, lighting and furniture (I know, I know…). Signage, window dressing, new flooring, paint and such. Ready and good to go!
Feelz like I’m starting over. Luv it!
Why do I bring this up?
Two reasons….one, we can’t predict what the future is. Even with best laid retirement plans, we may get hit with something out of our control. (How many folks do you know who retired and either dropped dead or got seriously ill)
And two, why retire?
I means seriously? Who came up with that lame-ass idea?
I think retirement is for pussies and the delusional.
Stick with me on this one. I have good news.
Remember that commercial from some evil insurance company that promoted some lame idea that they called “Freedom 55”
What?
Freedom?
From what?
What kind of a hellhole do you have to be in to think that some day, down the road, maybe if you’re really lucky, you can “retire” and stop doing whatever big freaking mess you created for yourself in the first place, and “break free”.
And do it by age 55….I mean c’mon…..who they trying to kid?
Here’s my deal.
I ain’t retiring. Not now, not never.
Ever.
I love working. And work loves me. If you don’t love it, I have some advice….QUIT!
And do something else.
It ain’t worth the price you’re paying. I don’t care how much your paycheck and benefits are. How big your house is. How many toys you got.
It means nothing, NOTHING if you aren’t doing something that fulfills you.
And every day, most days that is, I feel fulfilled doing what I’m doing.
If I get old and feeble, and can’t work no more, hell, I’ll go down to the old age club and volunteer. Or kick some ass…..something. Do something!
But that’s a long way away for me.
You see, I feel 25. Many people are amazed at my health, my energy. Many think I’m younger. My wife wants me to grow up. Ain’t happening anytime soon….
Nope…I’m having too much fun. And loving it.
All because I’m creating, making money, growing a business…all in photography.
I feel in my heart that the biggest reason we stay in our self -made rut is simple.
It’s fear. Nothing more, nothing less.
Be honest with yourself.
On that note, tonight I am running the monthly marketing mastermind meeting for noBs photo success inner circle members.
AND, I’ll be talking marketing, showing some images from my new studio decor and we’ll answer, tackle YOUR questions.
But you gotta be a member….Here’s the link…:
https://photosuccess.com/forums/nobs-digital-shop-talk/mastermind-marketing-meeting-may-23rd-join-us/
The mastermind meeting is one of the most important activities you can
participate in for success, prosperity and health.
Yours in success in photography,
Rob
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