I flew out to SmallCorp this week for our spring board meeting. On my way out, I stopped in to check out the new Delta World Club (above) that just opened at MSP – a benefit of my new airline credit card.
Related: Taking Flight
It was the first time I had stopped in an airline club since I stopped working 7+ years ago. I used to be a regular – stopping in for a quick bite, frosty beverage, or comfortable place to wait. I’m so old, I remember grabbing the printed Wall Street Journal there!
I was surprised to run into not one, but two old MegaCorp colleagues, during my brief visit. They were both particularly surprised to see me on a “business trip”, since they both knew I had stopped working so long ago. Still, it felt like no time had passed, chatting in a familiar setting.
I have to admit that I really relished the feeling of being “back in game” of the business world and business travel, even for this short visit to the Delta World Club. Generally, I say the longer I am away from work the less interested I am in it – and I mean that 99% of the time – but I guess there will always be that 1% of me that misses the fun parts of it, too.
Related: Irreplaceable MegaPerks from MegaCorp?
Before I left, I grabbed a few bags of nuts and two granola bars and was back on my way. Within 24 hours, I had returned from my trip and was back in my ordinary life and goofing off. Next quarter, I’ll have my next chance to play “business man” again.
What parts of work life do you miss in early retirement?
Image: ThriftyTraveler.com
MrFireStation 
The only parts of work life I really miss are relationships with colleagues and clients. Our post-employment lives are filled with family, friends and neighbors. But there’s a lot to be said for old “comrades in the biz trenches.”
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Yes – A lot of long time relationships fighting the good fight. Good times & bad.
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I was already missing the interpersonal part of work for at least 12 years before I retired. This was a byproduct of virtualizing the office productivity tools at the last company I worked at. The virtualization worked too well. Often when I went into the Corporate Headquarters, I was the only person in the office. I actually started bringing my dogs with me.
The virtualization helped the company continue operating during the Covid-19 shutdowns. The company recently made the decision to be 100% virtualized and did not renew the lease on their headquarters.
This has major implications for commercial real estate and high cost cities. Workers are moving away from big expensive cities where they they can barely afford rents, to becoming home owners with nice houses.
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My son’s company is now having employees coming in a couple days a week. He had only really worked remotely since he started his career 3 years ago. To my surprise- and his – he said he is really enjoying seeing people in person and the sociability of being in the office.
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I miss sitting around the conference table with staff reviewing results and strategizing. I do get satisfaction today from consulting gigs, however I cannot direct their work, only provide advice. I often shake my head in disbelief at what is looked upon as acceptable results and lack of attention to detail. I recognize that I have high standards and expectations, but without such, organizations are doomed to a level of mediocrity.
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Agree- solving complex business problems or strategizing opportunities is an activity not replaceable in retirement life. And, advising will never be as satisfying as being “The Man In The Arena”.
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Sounds like we consult for the same sort. It doesn’t satisfying when they ignore good advice that they are paying dearly for in both consulting fees and overhead losses. I have been working long enough with one customer that they are finally waking up and deciding to do what I had suggested years ago.
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In my consultancy years, I was blessed to work mostly with clients who had known me for decades. I insisted on working directly with the person who was authorized to say “Yes” — not multilayers who can only conceive of “adding value” by various forms of “No.” The ones authorized to say “Yes” did not always answer in the affirmative. But I knew they did not waste their money in seeking counsel, nor my time in giving it.
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