Seeing the Financial Matrix
As many of you may already know, I am not a big fan of my day job.
I work in the public sector where I deal with customer complaints the entire day. Not only do I get tired fast but it drains me emotionally as well.
I felt so fed up with my job this week that I began making small talk with other co-workers about my goals to retire early. I couldn’t believe the various responses that I got.
My goals to retire early
If you are new to my blog, I would like to catch you up on what my financial goals are.
The plan that I have set for myself is to retire by the year 2020. At that point in time, I will have achieved an asset worth of one million dollars and a monthly passive income of $4,000 or more.
Although my goals are very ambitious, I believe it to be quite plausible. My co-workers on the other hand do not agree.
Responses from co-workers
These are the responses that I have received.
“In your dreams….”
“I don’t think you can retire that early, at the age of 40 maybe.”
“I don’t see how that is possible.”
“Why would you want to retire so early?”
To be honest, these responses were quite discouraging for me to hear. Despite having to try to convince my co-workers that it is possible, I could not change their minds.
Aversive to financial learning
I know my co-workers quite well and I have taken every opportunity that I have got to gauge their interest in personal finance. Whenever I bring the discussion of finances into the mix they would seem dis-interested and attempt to change the subject.
The sad thing is that I have found that many people in the world do not take the actual step to improve their knowledge in personal finance.
Contentment is the biggest enemy in financial success
I have also come to realize that those who are content in their life see no reason to change and improve their situation. Afterall, why would they change anything when everything is perfect?
Don’t get me wrong, it is cool if my co-workers have no interest in personal finance. To each their own and it does not make me think any less of them. In fact, they are some of my closest friends who I genuinely care for.
Personally, I just think that they just haven’t had the opportunity to take the red-pill just yet.
In any case, I am going to continue to do what I do and prove to them that they can retire early too if they just set their mind to it.
Don’t be set back by the responses from people that have a different view. If they are happy to work till 67, why not. We each have are own plan and believes!
Sounds like you have the right mindset for that
Thanks for the word of encouragement Amber Tree!
They are the ones who are missing out, you’re doing the right thing Jeff! Don’t give up or be discouraged, they have chosen their life – you have chosen yours!
Tristan
Indeed! Gotta live the life you’ve chose. 🙂
Anytime you go against the grain and are a contrarian, you will meet plenty of opposition. Thankfully you didn’t talk about something so controversial, like eating low carb or putting butter in your coffee or your favorite football team…all of which sparked debates at work for me.
I’m joking about the topics but you will always run into disinterested people but don’t let that discourage you from reaching for your goals. Keeping pushing! I hope to learn from you.