Retirement Not So Easy For Entrepreneurs…

While some just can’t afford it, others can’t let go…

From USA TODAY

There was once a gentleman who rented an office next door to mine. Shortly after he moved in and appeared to be settled, I stopped by to introduce myself and welcome him to the building. His name was Mike, and he told me he was 74 and owned a leasing company. He went on to say that if I ever needed to lease any heavy equipment he was the man to see.

I asked Mike when he planned to retire. He told me a story that might help you better understand your husband.

Mike had been in business since he was 17, building what became a well-known equipment leasing company. Three years earlier, he sold his company for $8 million. Mike said part of the sales agreement was that he would be a paid consultant for the company for two years. When the two years were just about over,he convinced the owners to sign him on for another six months.

He said when the six months ended, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He felt lonely and cut off from society. He tried taking a few exotic vacations with his wife and a couple of family vacations with his kids and grandchildren, but these trips didn’t fill that empty space in him.

Mike said once he signed the office lease to start a new company, everything about him improved. He had a better outlook on life. What he missed more than anything were the connections and relationships that he made day-to-day with customers and other business people.

During our careers as successful entrepreneurs, we develop and grow not only a business but also connections within a community. People make us feel like we are needed, and many come to depend on our expertise. These things should not be taken lightly and certainly not disregarded.