2-world-wars-rememberedMy son recently asked me why 11th November is Remembrance Day.

So I explained that it was agreed by all sides that WW1 ended at 11am of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918. He processed the information, nodded and went back to planning his day.

For over 12 years I was a soldier in the British Army and I’m proud to have served my country throughout that time. But it got me thinking about actually what’s most important in our lives.

So I’m using the title of this as a metaphor to determine if we have all ‘Forgot‘ what we went into business for?

I happened to have been on the high street at 11am on the 11th of November, it was a working day, and I had a series of 1:1 appointments. However, that didn’t stop me stopping, bowing my head and recognising the two minute silence in memory of colleagues past and present, who paid the ultimate price, so that we may live the lives we do today.
What pleased me, was the amount of others who stopped their day also and paid their respects. The high street stopped. Busses stopped, cars pulled over and stopped, mobile phones, radio stations, the whole area ground to a halt, as we stopped and remembered.

And thats my point!

It’s quite interesting that when I discuss retirement with fellow entrepreneurs, virtually everyone says they never really expect to retire. That their drive and energy will continue to see them involved in some kind of business activity well past the age of 65. Which is fine, as long as we are loving every day of our lives and the decisions we make are through choice not necessity?

I’m also attracted to the idea of continuing to be stimulated by the business of business. There are also studies that suggest that continuing to engage the mind past the “standard” retirement age helps to stave off forms of dementia (something my client Eric of ‘Fine and Dandy’ is building a business around!)

Having witnessed too many family members and that of close friends fall victim to dementia and die from related illnesses I have to admit to the occasional worry that that might one day be my fate too.

The idea of continuing to stimulate my mind (and body) by being involved in businesses is very appealing. I really enjoy the challenges of running and growing the value of businesses, enhancing the lives of staff, customers and suppliers in the process and continually looking to ensure those businesses provide the lifestyle required by the owner.

So, whilst I will march on the Manchester cenotaph tomorrow and listen as the Royal British Legion recite “They shalt not grow old” knowing full well, I shall!, I hope my guns will not yet ‘fall silent’ but will keep firing for quite a while yet in terms of business (and you’ll know what I mean by this from my book? Battlefield2Boardroom, 10 Military Strategies to Combat Mediocrity). As Tony Robbins teaches, living your life backwards is the goal – living life now as if you’re retired is an exciting target.

So ask yourself….

  • “Am I currently living the life I set out to achieve for myself and my family?”

  • “Am I living in PURPOSE and as such generating income at will?

  • “Is what I’m doing RIGHT NOW, the RIGHT THING to get me as quickly as possibly to WHERE I WANT TO BE?”

If not, just email me and tell me what’s holding you back from realising your dreams and ambitions?…..

Go on…you know you want to!