I’m Retiring!!
That’s right… I’m retiring!! Seems impossible, right? Just this year I quit my job and decided to go full time in creating, building, etc. and now I’m just going to retire? There must be a catch, some funny play on words or just a straight up lie! Either way, this is the decision that I’m consciously making for myself and my family. I have spent my entire adult life grinding, clawing, chasing..Trying desperately to find my niche. Business ownership, real estate, entrepreneurship in general, W2 employee, freelance artist and any other random title that you’d like to fling in there. Thankfully, I have $2800 in my combined retirement accounts so, we should be good!
No!! I’m not actually going to quit doing what I love doing which in fact also pays my bills. But, I am going to retire from the fear of failure, financial fear, negative thoughts that drive me into dark places, etc. I have spent my entire life trying to measure up to something that is not real. We dream up things in our heads that ultimately force us to forks in the road solely manifested in our minds. That’s right.. my road is different than your road and we almost always choose different forks. I will say that we must all be paying the same taxes based on all of the pot holes!!
Retirement is a state of mind…it is not a destination. There was certainly a time when there was a standard that was sought after and eventually achieved at the completion of a long career “on the line” and you accepted your imitation gold watch and a local mom and pop grocery store butter cream icing birthday cake with “Congratulations Old Man” written in blue cursive writing and a small figurine of a guy fishing on the top. You accepted your watch, cake, tiny pension and sailed off into the sunset of boredom! I’ll take a hard pass on that one.
We lack purpose.. please understand that I am not speaking negatively towards retirement. I am so proud and thankful for all who did their part keeping the wheels greased.. I’m grateful that true retirement is an option. But, we must stop living for the day. I have listened to so many people over the years ramble on and on about the day that they will retire and all that they are going to do. What about today? What are you actually going to do today? I write this as a journal as much as a public post so don’t misunderstand me…I’m talking to myself! I truly hope that I never quit working, creating, dreaming… if retirement means laying on a beach with an umbrella drink and a steady stream of minimal income, again.. hard pass!
What if retirement means spending more time with your kids, going on weekly dates with your wife, sharing funny stories with your friends and family around a camp fire, having morning coffee with your spouse, putting your loved ones at the forefront of your life and ignoring the bill collectors! Pay your bills, but if they call you during dinner with your family.. ignore them. Don’t let finances rule your life. Don’t let the lack of finances rule your life. Abundance comes in many forms, the primary form of abundance is life itself. I could literally take my final breath as I’m typing this. If that happens, I want to be able to leave a few final thoughts for my kids.
I didn’t leave you any money… You’re welcome! Learn the satisfaction and true joy that comes with hard work.
You only get 1 family… Your blood family and everyone else who becomes a part of that family. Cherish those in this circle.
Hard work trumps talent EVERY..SINGLE..TIME
Live in the moment, stop trying to capture the moment
If you see someone that needs help, help them..
We only want to retire because we want to escape. If you feel like you need to escape your job, it’s time to find a new job. Don’t stay in a job for the money or for the acknowledgment. Stay in a job for the love of the job, the love of the people or whatever it is about that place that makes you smile when you walk through the door every single day.
As of today, I am truly retiring from all of the stress of deadlines, negative energy, financial burden, etc. I am going to press on in loving my daily life. I accept all that is in my path including the road blocks, pot holes and meteorites headed my way. I’ll embrace each and every missile and rejoice in the many successes. I’m not jumping in an RV with my wife and hitting the road but I am rolling up my sleeves and living my best life! Happy Retirement Day!
Love and Prayers!
G
Am I an Artist??…
I have asked myself this question for years! “Am I an artist? “ I’m not sure exactly why the topic is controversial, or maybe it is only in my mind… help me with that if you will? I guess that it plays out like a typical movie script. You only achieve your title once you have obtained your proper education, diploma, resume, and ultimately your elevated portfolio. Fortunately for me, I was cut from a different cloth… I was taught that hard work and perseverance were literally the two most important factors on your fast track to success. I remember when I was very young my dad waiting in line at AK Steel for the possible hope of employment. I can clearly see in my mind the green and white pvc striped folding lawn chair along with his black oval shaped double latched lunch box and Stanley coffee thermos that my mom proudly packed for my dad as he patiently waited for one single opportunity to provide for his family. Funny thing is… I don’t even remember if my dad got the job. I’m guessing that he did not. My dad worked for the carpenters union. He was a very talented finish carpenter and secretly a simple math wizard with beautiful hand writing. My dad was a gem, literally a gem… he could do anything and he cared about everything. He was so proud of every picture that I would draw as a kid. Growing up in KY, my go to was KY basketball… Adolf Rupp, Rick Pitino and KY Wildcats in general. My dad loved that.. He was a full time BBN fan and instilled the same in me. But.. that has nothing to do with the topic of this blog. Am I an artist? Please forgive me for my lack of paragraph indentions, etc. that has never been my skill set. Am I an artist? Are you an artist? Who is to say? Should we patiently wait for our high priced diploma or a kind word from the Dean of any institution to give us mad props in the form of a paper diploma which provides mostly long standing debt to our families? No thanks… I think that I will just make some super cool stuff and sell it to you if you’re in fact a buyer.. lol
We are brainwashed as a society, in my opinion… You couldn’t possibly be an artist unless you have a degree from ABC University or you have a showing at I’m Too Fancy Art Gallery! For the record, I have seen 6 year olds art work that literally moved me. In the world of art, movement is all that matters. It is not about price, value, reach, etc. It is simply about emotion. Much of our lives are filled with pain, despair, love, hate, time, envy, death, new beginnings, etc. When art hits you, it changes you. It may only be for one moment, but that moment is beautiful. That moment lives forever. That moment engraves a tattoo on your soul that can only be created by an artist who has been hiding in the shadows. When we begin to seek fame, fortune or even simple praise, we slowly lose the innocence of our creation. It truly is a double edged sword. I seek praise on Instagram and crave the acknowledgment of my peers and then cringe at the thought of corporate support or mass production. However, we do have to live.. the cost of living continues to rise and wood, acrylic paint, and metal prices are through the roof!! How do you price what you simply love to create? Artists are not Dentists but Dentists can be Artisst… hmmmm…
It seems that I am in fact an artist… I also believe that you are an artist. You may be an artist of your home. You may be an artist within your family. You may run the school PTA like a symphony or you may be a crafting king or queen… regardless of your field of expertise, in my opinion you are an artist. You have earned your title just like I have. I have spent many years telling myself that I am not an artist due to my lack of education. However, my clients tell me otherwise. I support my family 100% on the back of my art and they are not hungry :) therefore… to answer my initial question. Yes, I am an Artist! Roll your sleeves up and create!!
If you do nothing tomorrow… Don’t forget to make something!
G
Go For It!
Be a Sponge…soak it up! Young Marshall popping that Mig!
What is that thing that is making your scalp itch? I’m not talking about dandruff.. what keeps you up at night? What are you day dreaming about while you should be working? We all have something that tugs at us. Something that is engrained in our soul.. We don’t naturally follow that path for some odd reason unless we’re in a very elite class. We see athletes that are the 1% and they tend to follow this path but it is likely because the world tells them to do so. They have unlimited encouragement…praise from every angle and a hometown crew with piggyback expectations. What about the gifted welder (I am not one by the way) or the naturally talented crafter, etc. In most cases, those of us who fall into the category of the “Maker” or just the guy or gal who chooses to work with their hands - guided by their brains mind you :) are encouraged to just “get a job” choose something that fits your little life and work that line. Jump into that weekly grind and serve your time…don’t worry, there are benefits and 1 week vacations (that you can’t afford to take) but hey, you get 5 days per year… enjoy! What if it could be different? What if you actually began to take notice of things like Etsy, FB Marketplace, Craigs List, yard sales, vendor fairs, etc. You may not be an artist (yet) but I’m sure that you have something to offer. Have you ever strolled the aisles of a flea market and saw things that need a little paint? Maybe they have a $20 price tag but you can clearly see with a little bit of elbow grease and a rattle can, you can hit a $150 profit in 45 minutes, bro.. those are Dr’s rates!! The problem is that maybe you’re a little lazy.. yep, I said it. You may be offended but check yourself real quick. What time did you turn on Netflix or Hulu tonight or even today? There are opportunities everywhere! Literally, everywhere!! You don’t have to be miserable in your daily grind or your daily snooze fest! What are you good at? What do you day dream about? What makes you literally lose track of time when you’re actively doing it?
Ask yourself these 5 questions:
What do my friends/family consistently tell me that I’m good at?
What is more important to me than Netflix?
What income would I need to produce to replace my current day job? Yearly, monthly, weekly and daily… write it down! Like, actually! Write.It.Down
How much real time do I have to work a side hustle? Before and after my day job..be realistic with this. What’s the real amount of time that you’re willing to sacrifice? Oh, by the way.. this is not an excuse or an opportunity to go be a loser at your day job. If that’s already happening, don’t waste your time trying to be an entrepreneur.. the juice will not be worth the squeeze!
Lastly…will my spouse support me? If you’re not married then get off your lazy *** and get to work!! If you are married then have a real conversation with your significant other and explain the madness that you’re about to take on. Ask for support and future forgiveness. If she/he is on board then it’s time to get cranking!!
I started out making wooden trays out of pallets with horseshoe handles. In the beginning my wife and I would find the horseshoes at antique shops. I literally had moments where I believed that this was going to be my ticket. I would make horseshoe trays forever. I don’t want to kill a horseshoe tray dream but at that time $50 was a big ticket item for me… today, I am selling doors from $1,000-$5,000 and that demand is building momentum daily. My point is this… If you pick something that speaks to your soul, go there. Go check that out for a minute. Mess around with it. Clear out that garage that’s full of old crap or housing a car that you’re going to replace in 2 years anyhow. Make room for a miter saw and a few tools. Start creating from where you are. Don’t worry about where I am or where your neighbor is…start from where you are. Life is short, but life is shorter when it is unfulfilled.
If you do nothing tomorrow…don’t forget to make something!
G