Retire or die in the job?

Written By Andrew Ford

Rupert Murdoch just retired at age 92, WOW that's a long stint in the office. Which, makes me think, is there a 'right' time to stop working and enjoy the good life?

Some say if you love your job you will never work a day in your life. It's a nice sentiment but is it really the truth, especially in today's lifestyle-obsessed world.

Most people don't love their job and even if they do enjoy it at times, there are still parts that annoy them or get old over time. Which makes one think of retirement.

Having grown up in the GenX era, I was fed a diet or school, uni, job, retire at 65 with your house paid off, some super and a holiday house. It was possible back in the day, but highly unrealistic for most kids now.

My kids don't even want a traditional 'job'. They are seeking lifestyle employment that provides above-average income, great opportunities to grow and learn, not much boredom and fulfilment to boot! One AFL career/ influencer/charity spokesperson/celebrity role coming right up Sir Ford Jnr.

In my consulting business, I help corporate escapees find more fulfilment with work in a new career. It could be something completely different to their normal working life or a portfolio career blending a few interesting things together like consulting, speaking or board roles.

The one consistent thing I find with people is that they don't want to completely retire and stop suddenly. Rather they would like to wind down and have freedom of time. The ability to choose when they work and not work. Self-determination is another way to position it.

So is there a right time to retire? I believe there is a good time to retire from working for others and it's at that moment when you dread going to work. When the juice isn't worth the squeeze anymore.

If you persist past that point, it will start to show in your performance, your attitude in your downtime and your physiology. When you push yourself to do things you don't want to do and are against your core values, it's detrimental to your health and well-being. So don't.

Instead, think about what lights you up and how you can help others. It's generally the same thing. Then discover how you can make it into an income-generating relationship where you can choose what you do, when you do it and who you do it with.

That's freedom and it's even better than retirement as you still get to earn a bit, think a bit and contribute to society too. WIN!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/21/business/media/rupert-murdoch-fox-retire.html

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
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