It’s Going to Be Time to Hit the Eject Button

The last two weeks are the worst. I did my job..... kinda the way I was raised. But I can tell you I was more just going thru the motions.
I think the hardest part for me was giving up daily tasks. I'd worked behind a parts counter for 40 years. Tractors and combines. Construction Equip. Finished up at a marina on Lake Michigan. Some serious boats that we sold and serviced. The 40-50ft sailing yachts went for between 1/2 and 3/4 mil and the powered yachts with 2-3 big diesels were more like 2mil plus. Anyway.... I got pretty used to doing things myself. Had a hard time "training" a new person to do what I could do in my sleep. I had acknowledged a long time ago, I am not a teacher. My wife is. My oldest son is. Both very good at what they do. I have zero patience for that.

All that to say.... in the last months and especially the last weeks I was forcing myself to let go of those daily tasks. These folk were not going to have me to ask how to do it once I was out the door the last time. AND more importantly..... not let it bother me. And believe me. As the day got closer I got way more apathetic.

It was sort of both comical and ego building to get told how much I was going to be missed and what a mess things were going be. (and from what I understand.... it was) My party line on that one was from years of experience. I'd just say, "I've been in this business a long time. I've seen people come. I've seen people go. Don't care who you are or how good or bad you did your job. You can be replaced. No one is that important that the business will fold when you leave."
 
I'm at least 13 years away from looking at retirement.

Unfortunately, I'm in a position where I think it's best to look for another job. So, for me, the "eject button" is really a matter of ejecting from my current employment and pushing "Play" at another company. I wish it were a matter of going into retirement.

I have plans for retirement. I want to gig more, and I really want to get involved in some sort of philanthropic work.
 
My wife keeps telling me that. What Don is saying is my plan, today is my Friday / rest Tuesday-Wed. It’s not just work I am sick of, the drive is just a pia.
I’d concur on the drive. My last 8 years was about 50 miles round trip. Doesn’t sound like a lot. But in suburban NE Illinois that equates to a min of 45 minutes one way. Closing in on an hour if snowy bad road conditions or the middle of road constructions season.
 
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