accent gwinnett magazine

BUSINESS

PARTNERSHIP GWINNETT

In November, eight municipalities will have the Tax Allocated District (TAD) referendum on the ballot . . . READ MORE

GREEN AND CLEAN

Imagine driving through the streets of Gwinnett and instead of just seeing concrete and grass in . . . READ MORE

FALL FESTIVALS, BEAUTIFUL DAYS, HAPPY FAMILIES

As the summer heat abates and we note a crispness in the evening air, our thoughts move toward all that . . . READ MORE

We painted the town red during our 3 year celebration.

I am so overwhelmed! Tonight is a celebration of so many things, and I am so thankful to all of you who . . . READ MORE

FALL HIKES WITH KIDS

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities for every one of all ages, including children . . . READ MORE

FAMILY

Be careful what you say. Your kids are listening. I learned this lesson very well at 3 am on the . . . READ MORE

RECIPES

It's really chili! READ MORE

BOOK REVIEW

The advent of the age of automation has given us a proliferation of instant solutions . . . READ MORE

WHO'S HAUNTING GWINNETT

You re all alone as the glowing candle casts shadows across the floor that creep up the bedroom wall . . . READ MORE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Although Marina Peed did not grow up in the South, she has that subtle air of Southern . . . READ MORE

THE LAST WORD

We all realize that there is not much in life that is free. Even love is sometimes bought . . . READ MORE

^{by: Paul Johnson}

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”
- James A. Michener

Have you thought about where you would like to retire?

That’s a trick question. The real question is: Why would you want to ever retire? After all, if you love what you do and you’re getting paid for it, why would you ever want to stop?

“Obviously,” you say, “Paul Johnson does not live on the same planet I do. My job is frustrating and unfulfilling, like it is for most everyone else I know.”

i swear it’s true

For decades, young people have been encouraged to pursue what they’re good at with little regard for what they like to do. As a result, we stop exploring our options when we’re much too young, and then settle on a career much too early.

Perhaps “work” has become a dirty fourletter word because we feel trapped in an industry, a career or a company. I suspect the truth is you’d like to break free and get paid as much or more than you do now while deriving more satisfaction from work. You want to get paid well to play.

balance good, like and pay

Did your “starter” job accidentally become your career? For many of us, we accepted a job and then got good at it such that employers were willing to pay us to do it. Unfortunately for many of us, the like part has been missing, so to fill that void, we engage in weekend hobbies such as tennis, fishing or reading.

If we could, we should first identify things we like to do that we’re also good at, and then find a way to make it pay.

To start making the shift, first take inventoryof what you’re good at and what others, like your employer, will pay you to do.

Next, observe what you like. Specifically, take note of the experiences that you enjoy recreating for yourself time and time again.

Third, explore different ideas and options to combine what you’re good at with what you like to do in ways that will pay. Put together a plan to move you to that intersection.

When you execute your plan to move you to the center of good, like and pay, your work will truly become your play. Retirement? Forget
about it!