I started my paid career late in life at 25. Between 25 to 30, I had no ambition except to observe & learn from my colleagues on my chosen future career of management consultant. They thought I was “strange” because I neither sought money nor promotions. I was happy hanging around the office doing messenger/intern level work despite being so qualified.
lt is only between 32 & 42 that I became ambitious. within those 10 years I earned enough to be FIRE or financially independent & retired early.
In that decade, I became famous, powerful & rich. Without having to toil I experienced life of CEO’s & Chairmen. My career strategy was very effective.
After 42, I slowly retired.Then at 45, covid came & my inner desire to retire to focus on my enlightenment, became inevitable.
Between 45 to 51, now, I have attained immense spiritual growth. But it came at a cost on my material growth.
No it didnt bother me I couldnt upgrade to luxury cars or more property in my name.
No what affects me albeit slightly is that people don’t see me as someone “useful” in their careers. It is in sharp contrast to by peak career of 32 to 42.
lt is true what they sense: I dont have the power to recommend them for jobs, promotions, retentions, transfers. Even if I could, I hide it with my condescending behavior.
So in my semi-retired life, I can do the work I love without the power-play. That is the real & bright side. But the pretentious & dark side is that I miss the schmoozing by people & their unconscious body language from perceived threat & opportunity.
This side is so subtle all will deny it lest they be labelled as “narcissists”. But I have no such image to build as I am out of the game. So I openly confess to my inner demon whom all deny existence of. Consequently it eats their inner peace & happiness.
But I see this petty desire clearly, accept it, & transform it into being super humble & approachable. Today I schmooze everybody I can with different styles to match their positions. I did that in peak career too but for the ulterior motive to keep & grow my power.
However now I enjoy it & people reciprocate because they like me not because they perceive me as threat or opportunity.
so at 51, I am power-less but truly happy.
