This is my last official day at IBM. I chose to leave so it is on amicable terms. My life has been dominated by IBM, even though I didn’t work for them but less than half of my career.
I was a customer in a DP shop, Authorized Dealer for Personal Computers, Competitor, Business Partner and then employee. So I’ve always been associated, just from more angles than most.
I knew decades ago that being bound by the corporate handcuffs was never my fate, so along with my wife, we chose to live by the debt free rules of Dave Ramsey, then championed by Larry Burkett. This puts you in control of your life rather than serving the master of debt and requiring you to work past your time.
Examples In My Life
My father was the first work example I ever had. I think he worked until he was 70, fifteen years longer than my work life. He did show me the value of doing the job right, but his life was only work and it went downhill after he retired. I knew then that there had to be more than that.
Other examples were those I see in corporate life who give/gave up their family for work. As we’ve all heard, there is no one on his deathbed who wishes he could have worked more instead of having quality time with their family. I see this over and over. An analyst said to me that cemeteries are filled with good workers.
As for me, I knew that this day would come. I neither lament over it or rejoice, it just is. Preparation in mind, financial ability and belief in G-d made me ready for this a long time ago.
Life Moves On
Consider what you were doing 20 years ago if you’ve worked that long (if not, just go back to your 4th or 5th year of employment). What was the most important thing you were doing? What was the life or death decisions you were making. If you are normal, you don’t really remember and what was crucial then is meaningless now. The one thing I was thinking about was being prepared for retirement as I always believed in the concept of short term sacrifice for long term gain. Life moves on and it changes. This step is just the next change.
What Is Our Purpose?
My mother told me that our destiny in life is to overcome obstacles. There will be hurdles, then there will be more. I’ve just overcome the separation hurdle and decision, but life will give me more. By doing this, it gives us our sense of accomplishment, but we must be well rounded in terms of life, family and our belief system.
We all have the same questions. Who am I, where did I come from and what happens after I die? For me these are easy questions as if you can believe this, then the rest is easy. Many struggle with this, but I don’t.
What Next
For now, I’m going to clear my head and fix many things around the house that have been put off because of work. Next, I’ll likely do something to generate income, as being idle is not a good thing. I’ll worry about that later.
Thank You’s
I’ve learned lessons from everyone I’ve worked with. I’m grateful for all of them. There were great mentor’s and teachers, and those who made my life miserable. Both taught me the political and corporate machinations necessary to survive. I wish that weren’t the case, but it is. I actually enjoyed overcoming those who opposed me, so I consider everything I did a win, as they didn’t get to me.
So I say thank you to all who shared in the successes that I’ve enjoyed so far. The others were just hurdles that helped me overcome.
I could add to this, but it’s enough for now. I’ll leave it at that so that the doors are always open.
