I will retire by the time I am 30

Posted on September 6, 2007 in the Ranting category

I have about a year and a half left and no clear idea of how I am going to make it happen yet, however, I know the opportunity will present itself (I am always looking). This dream of mine has been a part of me for as long as I can remember - perhaps not so specific but as a feeling that I have known that my life is so much more than the school-work-die routine.

Back in 2005 I quit my job and started my own business and officially began the final leg of my quest to retire by the time I was 30. Since then I have been ravenously consuming self improvement books, websites, videos, and the like in addition to acquiring specific knowledge that I feel I need to make my dreams come true. I don’t know who said it and I will have to paraphrase, but I heard a quotation to the effect of this:

Everyone should venture to become a millionaire - not because of the money but because of the person you will have to become to make it possible.

I likely butchered the real quote but you get the point. So much of becoming a millionaire and living life on your terms is about introspection and self awareness after which you take that new found knowledge and apply it towards your goals. There is this website,LiveInTheTwo.com that features a great tool to help you get started.

The concept of LiveInTheTwo is simple: the top 2% of America enjoys what the rest of us see as the ideal. Their message is that you don’t necessarily need high IQ, great education, or luck, but that there are skills that anyone can obtain to begin their personal journey of achievement.

I took a free test that scored me in 5 areas (discipline, passion, risk, optimism, and interpersonal skills) and then compared me to the top 2% in America. I feel that I am a bit ahead of the game compared with most my age (28) but of course there are area on which I need to work. So much of this may be construed as being money hungry or greedy; however, there is a much more honorable slant to my desires. Being in the top 2% of Americans, of course, implies a certain level of income, but for me its more than the money - its family. As a stay at home dad and entrepreneur, I have no doubt that my love and true calling in life is to be a great father and husband, not spend 1/3 of my day (or more) at work, 1/3 of my day sleeping, and the other 1/3 of the day for everything else (which doesn’t leave much time for family). I feel that we as a society are out of touch with what is important and put too much praise and emphasis on selfish individualism.

To enjoy the lifestyle that I am after, I realize (and the test confirmed) that I have the desire, passion, and optimism necessary; however, I need to work on my discipline. I have never been one to plan well (or plan much at all) which has become all the more evident since having 2 children and (trying) to work at home. When it comes to risk, I have the tendency to know what I want to do but I have trouble taking the leap to get things going.

I definitely encourage anyone to visit the site - it offers a great perspective on yourself and its free.