Don’t you think it’s crazy how so many people are looking forward to retiring?
They have no other goals other than to save up a bunch of money, retire and THEN they will start living their dream life. Only THEN will they travel more, relax more, have fun more –
But until then, they have to WAIT for that magical day they can look their boss in the eye and say “Later, I’m out!”.
This just makes me CRINGE because OMG how can anyone in their right mind EVER give up fighting for a better life?
How can anyone just SETTLE with what they have?
How can they STOP trying to be, do and have MORE in their life?
How can they be content with being comfortable?
I just don’t GET IT.
I don’t understand those people.
When I was growing up, one thing that my parents, my grandparents, everyone who cared about me, would say was –
“Save for retirement!”
And I would nod my head and say “okay!”, all excited about the thought of never having to work ever again! I remember being excited about the idea that I could sleep all the time, have no responsibilites, do whatever I wanted, and still have money coming in every month.
I was SO looking forward to retiring. I couldn’t wait! All of that brainwashing (unintentional, but still the case) had worked on me! I was convinced that retirement was one of the biggest life goals you could set and hit.
I started saving, but would then promptly go and spend all of my money, drain my savings, and tell myself I’d start again next week.
I just could NOT get into the saving habit! I’ve always been bad with it, truth be told.
BUT –
With my retirement savings, I felt GUILTY for not saving, even though no one I knew wasn’t really doing it either. I asked my friends if they were saving for retirement. They looked at me like I was on drugs. I tried to research retirement savings, but the big words and all of the percentages and numbers were overwhelming and confusing and I eventually just said “fuck it, I’ll do it later”, and then never did it again.
It wasn’t until many years later, when I found my true calling, which is the one I’m living right now:
Empowering women everywhere to grow their motherfucking empire and live their best life.
And recently, a few months ago, the topic of retirement savings came up again during a family get-together. I admitted that I didn’t have any retirement savings because I wasn’t planning on ever retiring. I felt a pang of embarassment and even GUILT that I didn’t have these coveted savings. (And I’ve since realized that while I definitely DON’T plan to ever retire, in order to grow my wealth, I need to put as much money into tax-shielded accounts as I can, so I’m taking full advantage of maxing out my RRSP contributions - but that money will NOT be to sustain my life as a “non-worker” when I hit 65!)
I GET that people want to feel safe and secure, and I even think it’s ADMIRABLE to want to have money set aside for years down the road. Because you NEVER know what could happen in your life.
But at the same time –
I don’t like thinking about my retirement savings as a “back up plan” for if my life goes to shit and I don’t want to work ever again. That’s a scarcity mindset and not one I will entertain.
I KNOW that I was put on this earth to make a big difference in the lives of millions.
I KNOW that I was born to do big, HUGE things in this world.
I KNOW that this is my calling.
And as long as I’m still breathing, I will continue to lead and serve my community. I will continue to support you. I will continue to show you the way. I will continue to be the best I can be, for you.
I am commited to having it all, not just for ME, but for you.
I am commited to doing whatever it takes to see not just my success, but yours.
I am commited to chasing bigger and better goals all the time.
I refuse to chase comfort and contentment. That’s not what I want. That’s not what WE want. We want to change lives, we want to lead, we want to support our community, we want to be, do and have EVERYTHING we desire.
And we ARE gonna get it. Over and over and over again.
Because that’s what people like us do. We continue to push forward. To put one foot in front of the other, every day.
Despite fear
Despite uncertainty
Despite not knowing how it will all turn out
We keep on keeping on.
That’s what we will ALWAYS do; that’s just simply who we ARE!
And let’s face it –
That’s who we’ll always be. And that’s a pretty awesome thing. 🙂
Don’t forget –
You really can be, do and have EVERYTHING you want. Take action now!