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As an engineering leader, I find it exceptionally refreshing when I ask someone what their plans are and they say 'retire'. This lets me drop to a more effecti

As an engineering leader, I find it exceptionally refreshing when I ask someone what their plans are and they say 'retire'. This lets me drop to a more effective conversation and focus on playbook and what needs to happen. Once you can get past the need for inspiration, it becomes more real and honest about what people need to do.

samspenc 6y ago
Thanks for this insight. Totally curious, is it easier to hire someone who's mostly motivated by the paycheck since it's easier to compete (just pay them higher) than other factors? I'm guessing the issues with someone who's saying they want better work environment, better team, more interesting work, etc is that it's going to hard to make them perfectly happy and there's no work or team that's ideal?
- mathgladiator 6y ago
  So, a TC chaser is easier to get to do hard work. These are the people that you can have take on big meaty things, take honest criticism, put their ego aside, and focus on the entire effort. What we often forget about 'passion' is that it can also manifest as toxic ego. I have to work exceptionally hard to control the toxic ego within myself, and money is the focusing thing. Do I want to manifest as a creative artist now, OR do I want to retire early? I have biased for retiring early and gaining perspective such that my future art is at the next level. For instance, my future art is finishing my silly language: http://www.adama-lang.org/ http://www.adama-lang.org/ Instead of chasing down donations and trying to build a sustainable open source company, I'll just collect my 3.5% from my portfolio and have fun. I'll dance in the field.
ChrisRR 6y ago
My 5 year plans? Continue doing what I'm doing, but just be better at it
postalrat 6y ago
My dad retired early and I have no plans to do the same.
- mathgladiator 6y ago
  I'm curious as to why? I mean, the whole FIRE movement is predicated on this.

samspenc 6y ago

Thanks for this insight. Totally curious, is it easier to hire someone who's mostly motivated by the paycheck since it's easier to compete (just pay them higher) than other factors? I'm guessing the issues with someone who's saying they want better work environment, better team, more interesting work, etc is that it's going to hard to make them perfectly happy and there's no work or team that's ideal?

mathgladiator 6y ago
So, a TC chaser is easier to get to do hard work. These are the people that you can have take on big meaty things, take honest criticism, put their ego aside, and focus on the entire effort. What we often forget about 'passion' is that it can also manifest as toxic ego. I have to work exceptionally hard to control the toxic ego within myself, and money is the focusing thing. Do I want to manifest as a creative artist now, OR do I want to retire early? I have biased for retiring early and gaining perspective such that my future art is at the next level. For instance, my future art is finishing my silly language: http://www.adama-lang.org/ http://www.adama-lang.org/ Instead of chasing down donations and trying to build a sustainable open source company, I'll just collect my 3.5% from my portfolio and have fun. I'll dance in the field.

ChrisRR 6y ago

My 5 year plans? Continue doing what I'm doing, but just be better at it

postalrat 6y ago

My dad retired early and I have no plans to do the same.

mathgladiator 6y ago
I'm curious as to why? I mean, the whole FIRE movement is predicated on this.