I have got away with challenging the norm and reaping rewards for many years now. Some that know me just think I have a problem that goes way back with questioning authority. Religious, Legal, Corporate, you name it.

I definitely got into trouble questioning too much in Church and Seminary as a young man and the final response that I need to pray more didn’t answer my questions completely. I would let them know that I wasn’t satisfied with the answers I was getting. That sure didn’t win me any friends in the Church.

I have had a few encounters with law enforcement where they were way out of line and I just couldn’t follow stupid orders. I have been nearly arrested for contempt of Cop a couple of times. Fortunately I always stayed calm in my disobedience and they were just over-reacting and emotional and not corrupt because they could have made up any unprovable charge but didn’t.

I was never one to enjoy corporate politics and the bull shit that goes with it. I was once nearly fired for being the only person who could answer why something had failed. I was asked by a senior VP what I thought, I answered, I was right, I was the only one who understood even though it wasn’t in an area of my responsibility, and I ended up embarrassing those who should have understood who were politically special. Another SR VP intervened and I was given a little talk. Basically just keep my mouth shut even if asked.

I think it was all the part of my personality that helped me be the Leisure Freak I am. I recognized that there was little happiness in following the consumerist herd and I sought after financial independence for the freedom of early retirement. Not my grandfather’s or even my father’s retirement but one I redefined to include pursuing opportunities of pay that I could be passionate about doing. That is where my challenging the norm and reaping the rewards really shines. It wasn’t easy, it took time, and my retiring early was and perhaps  is still risky. But with great risk comes great rewards.

Why I believe I am challenging the norm and reaping rewards

People called me crazy.

When I retired early the first time at age 51 I was at the top of my game, well-respected, a leader and innovator in a large telecommunications company but I had a different dream for my future. It was the end of 2009 and with a rotten economy, recession, stock market still in a shambles, high unemployment and a lot of people scratching their heads at my decision to pull the plug. I loved it! When everyone goes one way I am more motivated to go the other, taking the risk and adventure over sitting safe and bored. But I wasn’t crazy. I had a plan and the financial independence to live life on my terms.

Nothing happens if nothing moves.

I was ready for a change in a big way. It was just not the same there for me. I lost my passion for it and was coasting along. It was sucking the life out of my soul but also in a way comfortable and would have been easy to just stay and sleep-walk through many more years. But that is what other people do because it’s the easy way. I wanted to see more, be more, and believed with it would come personal and financial rewards. If I didn’t make the move to a “retire early and often lifestyle” I would always wonder what could have been. If I failed it wasn’t for lack of planning, preparation and financial backing. It just came down to if I didn’t make a move then nothing different will happen.

We all have choices to make and some are more risky than others. Stepping out of the conformist line and doing your own thing against the norms may label you crazy. There are worse things. Here are 4 important steps to get you started to be that crazy person challenging the norm and reaping rewards.

Understand how you will deal with any fear you might have

Also deal with any excuses and distractions that your insecure side might use to stop you from this new adventure. Be clear and believe in your journey so that you can overcome any doubt that will come your way and take necessary actions to stay on course.

Know that your new adventure won’t be easy

This is the time to be fully committed to your plan. Your plan will need to have defined what you consider success but also what you are passionate about and what really makes you happy. Commit to it because you are doing this for YOU.

Learn to accept mistakes and to learn from them.

Your journey won’t be a perfect line from point A to point Z and all points in the middle. That is a fact of life regardless of all the planning in the world. Concentrate on your goals and don’t worry about what anyone else is doing with their life. Do not compare yourself to others. Stay focused on your plan, your passions, and your progress. You had the courage to jump head first out of your comfort zone so believe in yourself.

Lastly enjoy the ride.

For me it took a while longer than I thought it would for my post-retirement plan to advance but I was moving closer and closer to my goals. Soon it picked up a momentum of its own. Be happy, keep pursuing your passions, and be in the moment. Be gracious and grateful that you are able to make this move.

In Conclusion

It is totally cliché but life is too short to feel like you are living a life of mediocrity. If you have a dream and plan, prepare, and can risk the move then do it. I retired early, started a second career and retired again. Now I’m on an early retirement side hustle gig that is amazing and I am certainly happy with my decision to take my leap of faith challenging the norm and reaping rewards.

Have you taken or planning to take a leap of faith to pursue your dreams even though it’s considered risky?