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Peters on Peters
My college fraternity brothers have a wonderful ritual. We have an annual newsletter that we all contribute to. (NB: As always ... ONE PERSON ... has kept it alive for 40 years, the estimable Mike Smith.) Many of my fellow 62-year-olds are in partial or total retirement. In my contribution to this year's newsletter, I vented about the "retirement bit":
"You've all doubtless heard the Churchill yarn. The old man was transiting the Atlantic by ship. An aide made a mental calculation and turned to WSC, 'Sir, I've calculated how much brandy you've drunk,' he said referring to the cavernous ballroom in which they were seated. 'It comes to about here [pointing to a spot about halfway up the wall].' WSC leaned in toward the chap, pointed to his marker on the wall, and purportedly said, 'So little time, so much to do.'
"I am a troubled 62. Why? SO LITTLE TIME, SO MUCH TO DO.
"I have no idea whether this brief missive will attract contempt or mere indifference. Just let me say that I am appalled by the idea of retirement ... or slowing down in any way, shape or form. I write from New Orleans. It's 5 a.m. I've been up for 3 hours, working on today's speech.
"I AM BLESSED. I HAVE A CHANCE [in just 4 hours] TO INFLUENCE 3,500 LIVES. I DARE NOT F*** IT UP.
"I am often tired (I'm 62, not 22), but I Love & Appreciate the Opportunities I've been granted to take part in the Universal Dialogue about the Meaning of Work & Life & National Purpose.
"PUT SIMPLY, 'RETIREMENT' TO ME MEANS BEING DRAGGED OFF A STAGE AND SLIPPED INTO A SIMPLE PINE BOX INSCRIBED WITH THESE WORDS: 'HE GAVE A SHIT.'"
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Comments
No contempt or indifference - you're just lucky to have really "got it"!
Better late than never eh? It's more than most people manage - so we need to keep motivating and communicating.
There wasn't an opportunity for this kind of thinking a few years ago - our only competitor at the moment is "fear of change"...
If we can just get you to get rid of the F**King **s - then you'll have become a real human being!
Posted by davidc... at February 28, 2005 12:08 PM
The longevity of your passion is remarkable, Tom. I'm sure you're not assuming that just because your old pals retire that they're any less interested or that their life's work was any less meaningful. Is it me, or did it sound a little like that?
Humility is a trait I have more often come across in women managers/leaders. It's something I, for one, admire more than just passion alone.
Posted by matt at February 28, 2005 2:25 PM
I would just encourage everyone to think a bit more outside-the-box. Rather, outside-the-life may be more appropriate. While I totally agree with your attitude toward retirement, you must realize that, even when we die, it’s just crossing over into the supernatural. We don’t go out of existence completely. We should be preparing now for how we can still continue to change the world actively (not just via our legacy) when we’re gone. Take, for just one example, St Therese of Lisieux. Sad story. Died of pulmonary tuberculosis at such an early age. Yet to this very day, her aid to us from the supernatural realm abounds. And so often made visible by those roses that she sends, and which she had indeed promised to send while she was still alive. Lovemarks from the realm of the divine, if you will. And our answered prayers.....WOW! moments beyond compare. So don’t be short-sighted. Plan for the full future!
Posted by paschasius at February 28, 2005 2:37 PM
This shows how little deviation there is between your life and your work. You seem to be one, to the point of not being willing to retire from work because to you it is tantamount to retiring from life. I cannot judge but I admire the passion and all I can think is "good for you".
Since I am not old and wise enough, I still have hopes and fears. So here's my hope after reading your post: "I hope you are doing this for its own merits, not to prove something to the world" And I have no fears whatsoever for you, Tom. Enjoy!
Posted by alex at February 28, 2005 2:41 PM
"PUT SIMPLY, 'RETIREMENT' TO ME MEANS BEING DRAGGED OFF A STAGE AND SLIPPED INTO A SIMPLE PINE BOX INSCRIBED WITH THESE WORDS: 'HE GAVE A SHIT.'"
Oh yeah!
Posted by walter white at February 28, 2005 3:25 PM
tom: imho, this is YOUR most Powerfull blog Posted from the time you started blogging !!
""I am often tired (I'm 62, not 22), but I Love & Appreciate the Opportunities I've been granted to take part in the Universal Dialogue about the Meaning of Work & Life & National Purpose." -
A man with a mission !! :)-
Posted by /pd at February 28, 2005 3:45 PM
Thanks, Peter; also it's good to get some blowback on this--BLOGGING RULES!!!
Posted by tom peters at February 28, 2005 10:02 PM
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. Shaw had it right and so do you. Bravo and thanks for the kick in the ass.
Posted by David Porter at February 28, 2005 10:17 PM
I'm with you one hundred per cent Tom ..have you seen this fantastic quote;
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming …....
"F**K WHAT A TRIP!!!!"
Posted by Trevor Gay at March 1, 2005 9:55 AM
Tuesday's With Morrie taught us "In bed you're dead"
Posted by David Rose at March 1, 2005 10:05 AM
Can you imagine Clint Eastwood retiring (Dominates the Academy Awards at 72)? Or BB King?
Or Paul McCartney?
Retirement is for people who are not living their passions. People who live their genius do not retire. People who live life on their own terms do not retire. People who pursue their visions do not retire.
After all, what would they retire to?
Posted by AJ Hoge at March 4, 2005 11:32 AM
Mike Smith – alias “Treesâ€. What a great guy! I’m glad the bears didn’t get him in Alaska. Hope he’s doing well!
Well, Tom I’ve started thinking a lot about retirement and I know exactly how you feel. I can’t even imagine retirement in the traditional sense! What makes life worthwhile is a sense of purpose. Serving others is far more rewarding than living in splendid isolation. In my 30 years in my Industry I’ve learned a lot of stuff- about the business and about people. I guess that I would feel selfish walking out the door with all of the lessons I’ve learned (sometimes painfully). My Industry (Paper)has had a tough go of it over the past several years for a variety of reasons. (Two of them being your pet peeves- INNOVATION and LEADERSHIP). It breaks my heart to see fine people lose their livelihood. I would like to do what I can to help. I haven’t figured it out yet- consulting, academia, Industry organizations? I just know that I want to stay involved. I certainly envy you your opportunity to effect large changes in organizations. It must be very satisfying when you see leaders who really “get it†and through the performance of their organizations make life better for all stakeholders. (not just stockholders)
I’ve often wondered if there are many other “baby boomers†who have similar perspec-tives. In our formative years of the ‘60s we were very “into†progressive change and being “involvedâ€, although we seem to have become more mercenary in our later years.
It will be interesting to see which way this group goes as we approach retirement. How will the generation of “boomers†redefine retirement?
P.S. Mr. Hoge, Great comment!
Posted by TB at March 4, 2005 6:02 PM
Retirement to me means being free of the daily drudgery of work and the freedom to do whatever I give a crap about at the time. When we achieve this freedom and it intersects with our life's work or passion, its an amazing thing.
I've retired briefly twice - both times after selling companies. I liked the freedom of scheduling whatever the hell I wanted, whenever I wanted it, but I really just changed the focus of my work.
I'd be bored spitless if I quit working and piddled around - great stuff for some, but not for me. "Working" a few days a month, fishing the rest, all the while thinking up the next great round of ideas and stuff to do - that would be pure bliss.
Posted by Chris at March 4, 2005 10:26 PM
BTW - its your blog, and there's no sensor I'm aware of - other than you. I don't think you should remake this into the "Tom Peters "Say Fuck in Public" blog, but the ocassional expletive, if that's what you want to say, can be what you write. We figure out what the (fucking) asterisks are (grin)
(sorry if I offended anyone - but not real sorry, unless its Tom. Otherwise, get the fuck over it)
Posted by Chris at March 4, 2005 10:56 PM
While on the subject of retirement, how about the Social Security crisis? I'm now 53, I don't expect Social Security to help me in my retirement. If my health continues, I don't plan to retire. I have a business that I love, I've put away for retirement. When Social Security began in the 40's, the life expectancy of a man was about 67. Now it is into his 80's. My mother-in-law has been collecting for 20 years. The system wasn't designed for this. When it began there were about 16 workers paying in for every 1 receiving. In a few years, with the baby-boomers retiring it will be about 2 to 1. How can you fix this? Maybe we should sock away for ourselves in our IRA's and 401(K)'s,and those that can afford to simply decline benefits. I know plenty of well off retiree's who don't need the benefits but feel they have a right to it. I wonder how sympathetic Alan Greenspan is to the SS system, remember he began his current job at age 62. Retire, never. I hear people my age complain that they can't retire until 67. Wake up and face the facts, the system as it is today can't continue. If you are counting the days to you retirement, there is something wrong with what you are doing. Get some education and training and begin a new career. We have opportunities that our parents never had. We face a shortage of workers as the boomers retire, already being seen in the blue collar trades. If you thought it was too late, if you're still breathing, it's not!
Posted by Bonnie at March 11, 2005 9:10 PM