Those in happy careers do not have a number

“Everyone has a number”, so said my friend in the financial industry. He meant the amount of money in the bank needed to quit or retire. For those who have been battling through tough corporate or other purely practical jobs, the “number” is part of their escape route from a job they don’t like akin to the years left in a prison sentence. Success would be getting to that number – freedom from work – as soon as possible so they can retire or do something else.

But, for those who are happy in their career, the “number” is rarely considered, except perhaps as part of sensible retirement planning. Those who love their work often talk about money in terms of using it to build their work to a higher level, not escape from work. They love their work – why would they be plotting to escape from what they love?