My last ISO9000 audit is underway. It sits right near the very top of the work list of things I will not miss. We all understand why it exists on paper: to establish a baseline bar every company must meet to provide a service. But the actual bar used to…

There’s a specific kind of magic in having a goal that, once met, completely changes your life. When the Nest Egg hits the right size, it grants ultimate permission to step away from the corporate machine. For the last two years, “The Number” has been my northern light. But with…

Usually when I talk about my current work, it is about its faults, corporate weirdness, and how large companies get to be so dysfunctional. It is the main reason many people want to retire. It is why some people find the FIRE crowd. They have taken the “Red pill” and…

 We all gripe about our career. It’s natural. That’s why we chase FIRE. I doubt there is anyone who likes 100% percent of their job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. It affects everyone. This week I got to reflect on my career based…

There’s an expression that resurfaces for me every so often. If you search for it online, you’ll find it quoted across thousands of productivity blogs, but I’m pretty sure I first heard it during a Tony Robbins session years ago: “If you want better answers, ask better questions.” If you…

I am realizing that a small change, especially symbolic ones, can help with making a decision more real. When I moved to the current Death Star I bought a moving box of stuff from the old death star plus my office decorations.  They sat in my office for close to…

Relationships are the currency of retirement. The more or deeper relationships you have in retirement, the richer you are. Money can influence this part of your life, but only in smaller ways. It does not impact your skill at making friends—it just increases the surface area of opportunity by allowing…