I was listening to a podcast last week about the grind and hustle involved with building a business. The speakers worked hard (and got lucky) and as a result, had made millions from their businesses while attaining a modest level of fame and accolades. They had already attained success and were expanding their businesses.
As I was listening, I felt a little wistful. When I was working for startups, I was driven to “change the world” and “make an impact”. I had dreams, goals and ambitions. It was exciting and intoxicating and energizing. I thought I could accomplish anything through hard work, intelligence and effort.
I was driven by a desire to ensure my wife and kids would be financially secure and taken care of. I wanted to experience the freedom I imagined would come with being in charge and wealthy.
But, despite my best efforts, I never did make millions of dollars. Nor did I become the founder or CEO of a wildly successful business.
And then, as I listened some more this thought came to me:
I’ve already won.
I retired at 50.
I worked my way up from minimum wage service jobs into a career that spanned high paying tech sales & management roles despite my lack of a college degree.
I dug my way out of poverty, a chaotic upbringing and what should have been a series of low-paid jobs burdened by a lifetime of insurmountable debt to a stable, solidly middle-class lifestyle.
I played the game. And due to circumstances, hard work, luck, frugality, good timing and lifestyle choices, I don’t need to replay it again.
I’ve already won.
