It’s been almost 22 years since I left the corporate world, but I am still learning things about the current phase of my life, particularly from the book “The Joy Of Not Working”. I really don’t recall the first time I read the book, but I do remember that it greatly helped me on the journey to the best part of my life. It isn’t a “how-to” book, but instead just a bunch of stories, like I do here at RJsCorner. I thought I would give you one more enticement to pick up the book for yourself.

I just looked over my Kindle notes and found a couple of thoughts that I kinda missed the first time around. Here they are:

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Here is the first quote fromt he book I want to discuss:

Plato and Aristotle were critical of people who kept working after they had satisfied their basic needs. They concluded that these people were working and pursuing luxury and power in an attempt to cover up their fear of freedom.

I have been dabbling into philosophy lately, particularly Aristotle, and this quote above is very much in line with his view of life. I think these words apply more now than even in his times. It took me a while to learn about the three basic phases of a person’s life:

• The Learning Years
• The Earnings Yeas
• The Fulfillment Years

Of course, looking back, I realize that the third phase is the most rewarding and satisfying. I retired from the corporate world at the age of 54. It was a forced thing, but I am happy it happened. By that time, I had made, and maybe more importantly, saved enough money to move on. I will admit that I struggled the first couple of years, but I finally found my “purposes” in life that made the phase truly my fulfillment years.

I kinda pity the billionaires who continue to focus so much on material wealth. They are missing out on so much because of their fears.

Here is the second quote:

To get a better idea of your true identity, first ask yourself what sort of person you would want to be if work were totally abolished in this world. Write this down. Also record your five best traits, not including any work – associated traits — such as ambitious, well – organized,

Anyone who has recently retired or about to retire should seriously ask themselves this question. The thought out and truthful answers will guide you to get the most out of your fulfillment years. Looking at your best traits, but not including work associated traits is initially difficult, (I don’t want to give you a list to choose from, so I will stop here) but with enough thought, they can surface and give you a valuable clue going forward.

You need to realize that this is probably the first time in your life that you can be who you want to be. For your own sake, please advantage of it.