Post FI Challenge

I think it shocks my readers when I say that financial independence is something that once reached needs to be coped with. Believe it or not, it takes a little getting used to. Clouded by the money mind meld, many reach the end of this journey only to find that a new series of paths opens up in front of them. Which path to take? This is the great post FI challenge. Now that money is no longer an issue, what are the new goals and hobbies that are going to occupy time?

Although the dream of unlimited travel, free time, and leisure is tantalizing, it only takes a few months to realize that those concepts only carry a person so far.

Even after financial independence, we all need some sort of challenge in our lives. We have already won the employment game.

We need to step out of our comfort zone.

Blogging

There have been a number of ways in which I have striven to challenge myself after coming to the realization that I am financially independent. Although I am no stranger to the blogging world, writing about personal finance has definitely pushed me out of my natural expertise.

I have spent years writing about medicine. Through social media I created a persona, a voice, and message that became my identity. This identity fit me comfortably and was crafted over years of writing and expressing opinions.

Becoming anonymous and writing about personal finance is a great post FI challenge. Not only did I lose all the connections and social media acumen that I had already accrued, but also had to wrestle a topic in which I had less natural inclination towards and less experience.

The process of rebuilding a brand and finding a new voice have inspired my productivity, and definitely adds flavor to my day-to-day existence.

Public Speaking

A number of months ago, I was asked to participate in a speaker’s bureau. I am no stranger to public speaking. Given my inclination towards storytelling, I truly enjoy attending conferences and giving keynote speeches.

Although I find this activity pleasurable, I wouldn’t call it easy. Just like everyone else, I get a bundle of nerves before going on stage. Furthermore, my talks are usually peppered with stories and personal experiences and therefore don’t lend to Powerpoint, podium, and lecture.

To truly pull off my style of talk, I need to roam free on the stage with no notes or reminders. It takes quite a bit of practice and memorization to pull off an hour speech in such a manner.

By signing up for this speaker’s bureau, I have truly spread my wings and accepted my hardest post FI challenge. I will not sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Even after financial independence, the need to push myself and expand still exists.

I have a few talks on the roster already and have started the prolonged process of planning, outlining, and memorizing.

Wish me luck.

Final Thoughts

To many on the road to financial freedom, the only goal in sight is reaching the end and leaving the W2 workplace. While a laudable goal for sure, it quickly becomes apparent that many paths spring up once financial independence is achieved.

As human beings we like to continue to learn and grow. My post FI challenge has been to continue to push myself to learn and improve. I have done this by creating a personal finance blog and joining a speaker’s bureau. As time goes by, I’m sure I’ll jump into other new ventures.

I just can’t imagine spending the next forty years with my legs kicked up on the cough relaxing.