There are similar issues at retirement.

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The realization I was spending on things that didn’t make me happy drove positive changes in my life.

In Private Equity, I was surrounded by rich people who struggled to apply their financial wealth towards improving their lives.

My climb up the ladder saw me scale consumption and reinforce my ego.

Until one evening, recently divorced, sitting alone in a fancy townhouse…

I realized the only thing left inside my current path was “more money”

What To Do?

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Consider Declaring Victory

More money will not be making your life any better. In fact, you’re now in danger of being able to ramp consumption in a way that makes your life more complicated.

If you don’t believe me then think about your most recent financial loss. The loss hurts, it’s a distraction, you find yourself wanting more and more…

…but you already have more than your younger self thought they needed?

To think clearly, you need to get out of your environment.

In the summer of 2000, I took a two month leave of absence and trained for triathlon in the hills above Boulder, Colorado.

I journaled, while training to quality for Ironman Hawaii.

Got a bucket list? Go do something on it. Do another. And another.

In my case, I kept on the same thing=> faster, and faster, and faster…

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WHILE LIVING THE DREAM…

Do You Have A Committed Long-Term Relationship?

I didn’t. You might.

This person is your most valuable asset.

Live your dream WITH THEM.

High achievers, quite often, are short-sighted about the value of relationships vs completing “the mission.”

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Don’t have a relationship?

Consider moving to a location where there are a lot of people who share your values & culture.

Once there, focus on making YOURSELF into the person you’d like to attract. It’s took me five years to meet my wife, be patient.

My values:

• an active outdoor life
• surrounded by nature
• athletic
• kind & reliable

Yours?

Write it down.

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Do You Have Kids?

Your future self would like you to get to know them, very well.

Why?

If you blow off (the difficulty of toddlers) then you’ll end up with a regret you can’t fix!

You don’t need to become a preschool teacher.

When they were little, I could only handle a few hours a day with my crew…

…but they were very useful hours.

I was able to train my kids to become my partners in exploring the world. I trained our little ones during 1-on-1 trips. They have a lot of very happy memories.

There has been a HUGE payoff. From the time they were 7 years old, my kids have been able to do really cool stuff with me.

Know your best environment – teach them there – 1-on-1

Remember this => don’t let your adult agenda derail the child’s joy in simply being there.

Fill your child with pleasant memories of doing stuff with you.