Who the heck is this guy?
Jeez, that was my first corporate headshot. Summer of ’99, age 32. Back My hair was heavier, my body thinner.
I have 34 years of a career in the rearview mirror. No more opportunities for 40-Under-40 for me.
I may not have gotten local or national business press by achieving professional things by a fixed age but what I’ve done by age is this:
- Married at 25
- Two children at 28
- Purchased move-up home at 29
- Kept a family together despite struggles at 33
- Paid-off student loans at 34
- Secured children’s college tuition at age 42
- Retired debt by age 50
Have I had success in my career? Yes and I’m humbly proud of that. But my career wasn’t my pursuit. My career was something necessary in my pursuit of my true goals: marriage, children, a stable home, raising responsible young adults, paying for college.
For me, it wasn’t about winning awards. Career success unfolded as I sought to fulfill what was more important in life. Focusing on home and family is what drove my success, not the chance for awards and accolades.