I only heard about this last week at a client meeting and even better, I know one of them will read this! Yes, WM, you can stop reading now as this is your story! I often say to people to stop worrying about ‘what if such and such goes wrong’ and think more positively as it is more likely that ‘what if everything goes right!’ and that is been their attitude, despite a few horrible things happening along the way.

I never thought they would do it!

This is the story of an couple of clients that I have advised for 9 years now. What is so wonderful about advising people for these lengths of time is that I get to see their life change and hopefully, with a bit of help from me, develop into something better!

In this time, I have seen them grow from parents to ‘empty nesters’, to grandparents and now to being fully retired and loving life!

2-3 years ago I never thought this would happen. One was working part time and quite happy doing a few days a week. The other was entrenched in their business man job! Talking about grown up things like strategy, profit and stuff like that. You know, language straight out of The Apprentice! Only with someone that was good at it! I thought, this was a fella who’ll work for a good few years yet, maybe well into 60s when he doesn’t have to.

Work less and then work a lot less

Before the dreaded lurgy struck, he had decided to work a shorter week. But with the arrival of Covid and change in work that occurred, decided to stop altogether and keep an eye open for something else. I thought for sure, he will be back in another ‘business man’ role sooner or later.

As we all have become experts in disease over the last two years, one disease can kick out another and stop it taking hold. Here, it seems COVID’s lockdown kicked out the work virus that had been incumbent on him for decades.

The first thing I said, after some biscuits and tea, as had walked to their house so needed sustenance, was “are you still looking for opportunities then?”

“No way! We are both done for good”

Nothing gladdens my heart more than news of a permanent retirement to an awesome life!

The reason? In the past year they had:

• Been on 7 (seven!) holidays. On one occasion coming home for one night, picking up some clean pants and then going again the next day!

• Taken up an art class

• Kite surfing

• Model aeroplanes

• Golf (standard)

• Become grandparents

Essentially, they had seized the day and made the most of it. They love dot so much they didn’t want to stop and go back to their old ways. Trying out new things and carrying on the ones they enjoyed and ditching the ones they didn’t.

They were / are open to change and adventure and sought it out. Where opportunities presented themselves they thought “why not? Let’s give it a go”

I for one, bloody love it. And, they sincerely deserve it, so I hope they continue for many a year in the vein.

Model retiree award goes to you!