Yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life.
That comment needs explanation. What happened yesterday, for the first time since I began to think about retiring so that I might have the opportunity to pursue my own work agendas, free from employment obligations and duties to grant funders, was that I was able to set my own agenda without fear that I was neglecting some obligation to someone else as a consequence. I cannot recall a previous workday when that was the case, although I suspect that they did exist before I became an academic. That is too long ago to recall in detail now.
This does not mean that I did not work. I did. I had a decidedly long work day, but I chose what to do and, as a result, remained fresh enough to begin work last night on the post I published this morning on the defence of the state, which implicitly references my thinking about the relationship between macroeconomic and microeconomic entities, and how they should record their obligations that has underpinned quite a lot of my theoretical thinking in the last 15 years.
This morning, it is clear to me, based on discussions I have already had, that this will need quite a lot more explanation. But the point is, I might have the time to do that. And that is precisely why I decided to give up being paid.
I admit that this is quite exciting. Having a new business (the YouTube channel) and a new opportunity to develop at nearly 67 could not be otherwise. My next career is underway.
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Congratulations and welcome to the life of the retired.
I anticipate my retirement reduciong my work to maybe 40 hours a week from 60+
That is the only change I am looking for
Richard, may I suggest that, as well as a 33% reduction in hours you may also be looking at a substantial reduction in income?
In any event, i am sure you will be as happy and productive in your ‘retirement’ as you were when in employment.
I did save for a pension, thankfully.
Then I’d like to record my Best Wishes with you new career.
Thanks
as previous – not ‘retiring’ – just ‘rewiring’. Whatever – all success to you and yours, and I know that however many hours, all will be of value – thank you.
Thanks
Congratulations
I need to cut my own working hours so I can have the time to read everything you will be producing (The good news) and commenting on your work (the bad news)
🙂
congratulations,again!
as i said recently
you won’t have to do what you don’t want to do anymore
i’m 80 and spend some 20+ hours a week self-studying economics
and loving it
at the moment i’m writing an article to myself on
The International Monetary System
🙂
Congratulations young man!
Seriously, you have made the key discovery for a good retirement – that recovery of a degree of personal control, doing what you CHOOSE to do and making the most of it.
Make the most of it, and may you & yours have many years of good health to come.
I honour you for using YOUR freedom of choice to help protect those who have much less freedom of choice, because neoliberal greed has stolen from them and actively denied them that security.
KUTGW!
Thanks
I would like to simultaneously congratulate you on your new road, and to tell you a few things to bind to your frontlets as you travel.
1. My old pappy told me Dear, count the money, then count the votes.
2. Another dead advisor told me Art will break your heart, and your bank book. Know your audience, and your idea of fun.
3. Carpe diem.
What on earth are you talking about?
Richard, congratulations on starting something new.
I hope your freedom from employee/self-employed obligations works out but my experience of running a business is you swap one set of obligations for another.
Good luck.
I have been running businesses for 50 years. I know the ins and outs.