Second half. I had been thinking about it a lot. Ever since reading Bob Buford’s book Halftime, I kept questioning my purpose and legacy beyond just a position and career. I wanted to enjoy what I was doing and have an impact, even after this month’s KPI’s and strategic plan. Everyone in the company is replaceable and at some point, the grind just loses its value and meaning. “I can’t do this for the rest of my life, can I!?!”
I have read a lot of growth books across my corporate career, and this one is Top 5 for long-term impact.
I knew who I was, what I valued, and what I was good at; but I couldn’t do this hamster wheel forever. And so, my incredible wife, who saw I was just going through the motions and lifeless by the end of each day, challenged me. “If you could do anything you wanted, and money didn’t matter, what would you do?” Well, that’s a crazy idea.
So, I thought about it, and the idea of being a community college business professor started to take shape. I had a lot of real-world experience, am a good teacher and facilitator, and cared about connecting with others. I could give back and invest in future generations, while challenging minds and doing something meaningful. Yeah, that could work.
But as time passed, I just wasn’t out-of-my-mind excited about it. It was the logical path, sure, but it wasn’t something that got me out of bed in the morning. As I reflected, spent time wandering the mountains, and reconnected with both the person I used to be and one I wanted to be (before life got complicated); and I kept having the same conclusion. It would be so cool to start a board game publishing company. To publish Life Out West and then make more games.
I didn’t want to design games and then go beg publishers mind you, making 60 second pitches, hoping to find a break, only to then give up all ownership and have my game changed. And I didn’t want to work for a game company, making things I wasn’t passionate about or didn’t believe in. I wanted to make my own games, be my own boss, and run a company that aligned with my values and passions.
But what is logical about a second half career starting a board game publishing company!?! And yet, the more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t shake it. Not that I knew anything about starting a publishing company mind you, or EVER DREAMED of starting my own company, but there it was. My second half plan had finally become clear.
I talked to my wife and, the incredible person that she is, she said yes right away! No hesitation, no question, just yes. Man, I love her! And as we talked, we agreed that if it didn’t work out, I could always do the teaching thing. But if this is what I was really excited about, I had to try!
Next up, I needed to talk to Chip and see if I could get him onboard. “Hey buddy, so I have this crazy idea,” I said. Now this was a bit of a shot in the dark at the time because, while still friends, Chip and I had drifted a bit over the years. I moved again, was busy climbing the ladder and raising a family, and he was doing the same. It was never planned; life just kinda happened. They never tell you about the importance of propinquity and the challenges of middle age.
“I really want to do this with you,” I said. “I don’t know how or why, but whenever you and I work together, something special just happens. Like Bono and The Edge or Han and Chewy. And right now, all I want to do is make many, many more games with you.” And Chip, to his credit, didn’t hesitate either and said yes.
“What’s the first step Amigo?” he answered back. “Well, we need to start a business, find a designer, an illustrator, and a manufacturer,” I said. “Do you know anyone?” “Not really,” he answered back. “Not a problem,” I said, “let me get to work and see what I can come up with. We will tackle this business by just working on the next thing at a time and not get too far ahead of ourselves. Keep it simple. We only make games we believe in, have fun, and do it our way. Because this is what I am going to do with the second half of my life.”
Giddy up.
To Be Continued…