THE LAST CHAPTERS OF.......

This is a new blog site for a new "season" of life for me.

I'm very grateful for the years God has allowed me to work. Some work I loved, others I disliked a great deal, but they all taught me a little about myself, my skills and interests.  I've been blessed with good health and an abundance of opportunities.

My early work life included milking cows, hauling hay, working in the fields on the family farm. Then as a young man I worked in warehouse shipping companies and as a backhoe operator laying pipeline along with general contractor work.

My professional life was a process...sometimes painful... through Personnel Management (HR), Corporate Trainer and TQM administration. Fed up with corporate politics, in my mid 40's I struck out on my own as a entrepreneur with dreams of building a large and famous consulting firm. Extension Management Inc. However, because I was not very good at marketing myself, I was neither famous nor big. 

After 25+ years engaged in organizational and professional development work, I've built  a good paying consulting job and found a niche market that gave me tons of wonderful experiences and professional relationships. My work has carried me to at least 27 countries around the world partnering with manufacturing, educational, government and NGO's. 

Now, at 71, I strike out again to allow God to re-invent, re-shape and re-direct my life.With today's medical technology and the grace of God I could live another productive 25 years. So... am I going to sit back and do nothing? No way!!  I've already begun embarking on projects in the U.S. and around the world in a familiar but still new capacity. I've only been retired for 4 weeks, but I can already sense the same excitement, frustration, anticipation, small victories and defeats as I did long ago.

What is the purpose of this blog? To talk about my self? No! 

The purpose of this blog is to:

1. To share with others what the last chapters of this book of life might look like. How to (as Bob Buford says) Finish Well.

2. To share insights and lessons learned (good and bad) from an older business professional for those still fighting or enjoying the process of daily life.

3. To enlarge not only my territory but to challenge you to expand yours as well.

4. To share opportunities with you so that hopefully you may want to partner with me at some level in the future.

Solomon said "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity ..." He also encouraged us by saying "...Enjoy life...." along with this sobering but true reminder.."Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

Join me in this blog journey with your insights, suggestions and comments. This thing called life is not a dress rehearsal. This is all we get!

Let's Finish well!