Introduction
Most people look forward to retirement, viewing it as a time of relaxation,
freedom, and fun. Finally, I'll be able to do what I want, they think.
No boss breathing down my neck, no need to get up at a certain time, no stress.
And for the first few weeks or months, retirement lives up to the hype. But to
their surprise, many retirees soon find themselves pining for something to do.
They get bored and lonely. They miss feeling challenged and purposeful. Often,
too, they're constrained by a tight budget. And before long they find themselves
wondering: Now why did I think retirement was such a good idea, again?
If you're experiencing the retirement blues yourself, I have a suggestion you'll
want to hear: Start your own small business. It's a great way to stay busy and
keep your mind active during retirement. It's also a great way to supplement your
retirement income, pay for that condo on the beach or country club membership
you've always wanted, or put some extra money away for the grandkids.
With decades of work experience under their belts, many retirees are in a perfect position to become successful entrepreneurs. And the best part is — Starting your own business won't take up all of your time. In fact, with just 20 hours a week of organized and focused time, you can build a solid foundation for small-business success. The rest of the time is yours to garden, golf, read, socialize ... whatever.
As a successful entrepreneur multiple times over and author of the new book
8 Unbreakable Rules for Business Start-Up Success, I have been semi-retired
— at least by traditional standards — since age 40. I'm not saying I
had enough money put aside by 40 to never work again. In fact, I'm still
starting businesses — most recently, to pay for my children's college tuition.
But overall, since I'm my own boss, I do the things I want to do and work the
schedule I want to work, with a lot less stress than I experienced when I was
working the daily 9-to-5 grind. With that kind of flexibility and financial stability,
why would I ever want to stop?
It's easier than ever before to launch your own business. Thanks to Internet-based
tools, virtual secretaries, and answering services, you can reach and service
many potential customers without ever leaving your house — not to mention
the 24/7 access to educational tools and the ability to instantly search for answers
to your questions.
If you're ready to start Round Two of your professional life, read on to learn
about my top ten rules of business for retirees.
|
Editor's
Note
