At our essence, we all seek a fair opportunity to compete. We don’t require handouts, and we certainly don’t want to depend on the Bank of Mom & Dad to support us as adults. The true fulfillment arises from witnessing what we can create through our own efforts.
Because sincerely, having everything given to you seems like a gradual demise of the spirit. Do you agree?
In poker, if you possess “a chip and a chair,” you have a chance. That’s all any of us can reasonably ask for.
### Family, Appreciation, and an 80th Birthday Surprise
At 48, life appears vastly different from my 20s. Back then, I faced financial instability and tirelessly competed against anyone and anything to get ahead. Nowadays, I’m more established, but I also bear much more responsibility – a wife, two children, aging parents.
The pressure still exists, but it’s taken on a new form. When loved ones depend on you, the focus shifts to unwavering commitment: managing finances, educating kids, ensuring your spouse feels recognized and respected.
During Thanksgiving week, most of us ponder the family and friends we’re fortunate to still have. I’m no exception. I aimed to organize a surprise trip for my father’s 80th birthday in November, even though we were already scheduled to visit my parents for Christmas in December.
His reaction, perfectly captured on video, was invaluable. The entire week was truly memorable.
Of course, no visit home is complete without tackling a few home improvement projects. As a dutiful son, I collaborated with my sister to coat the front door with urethane. We also enlisted our reliable handyman to remove termite-damaged trim, install a missing baseboard, patch some floor holes, and even install a bidet.
There’s always something in need of repair at my parents’ home, and I’m glad to assist.
### When Does Our Enthusiasm Diminish?
During the visit, I began to wonder: at what age does our mental capacity start to wane? When does our drive to improve begin to dull?
You can see this change everywhere: older individuals contentedly living in homes unchanged for 50 years, while younger homeowners renovate every 15–20 years. Older generations wear clothing from decades past, while younger folks continuously strive to enhance their appearance. Perhaps this illustrates a deeper contentment that comes with age.
I also ponder: when does that youthful ambition to conquer the world finally diminish? Perhaps it’s when you realize you truly have enough. Or when your kids no longer depend on you. Or when the passion that ignited your early career gradually gives way to satisfaction because you no longer care about status and titles.
### Grateful to Still Have the Energy to Compete and Think
We often assume our minds will always remain sharp. But eventually, they fade – processing slows, adaptability decreases, and our patterns become rigid.
I believe I’m at the onset of that transformation. Maybe I have 2 – 10 more years of optimal mental clarity left. However, I’m not entirely certain my enthusiasm will endure.
Posts like these signify I’m granting myself (and hopefully you) permission to unwind and savor life more. Please don’t work so hard if you’ve analyzed the numbers and understand you don’t have to. There’s no need to stress about not delivering every single week if you’ve exceeded your goals.
Yet old habits are hard to break. I still aspire to help as many individuals as possible achieve financial independence sooner because the ability to do what you want, when you want, is invaluable.
### Competition Will Always Be Intense
As someone who isn’t employed by a corporation or doesn’t have a substantial platform backing me, competition in the publishing industry is fierce. Sometimes I envision how much easier it would be to disseminate my ideas if I worked at The New York Times or a financial management firm that’s frequently on television.
But then I recall how rewarding it is to compete without any of that. It’s just my wife and I exchanging financial ideas with anyone willing to read. That’s the charm of the internet: anyone with sufficient determination can write, record, or create for the world and compete.
Indeed, being FIRE makes you a poor entrepreneur, as you’re less driven by financial gain or expansion. However, there’s also a beautiful serenity in concentrating solely on your passion. For me, that’s writing. I need to remind myself not to get entangled in unnecessary competition. What truly matters is whether I’m content with my efforts.
### The AI Moment
When AI made its debut in November 2022 with the launch of ChatGPT, everything transformed. Not only was I competing with major platforms and Google’s algorithm changes, but I also had to face a structural shift in how individuals search for information. AI was extracting publishers’ content and producing it without recognition.
It felt overwhelming.
But I gained from this.