I Will NEVER Retire!

This year I will be travelling a lot, I at least hope too. It got me thinking yesterday, you know how entrepreneurs on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) talk about leaving for Bali or Thailand for a few months to “build shit”, to focus entirely on their businesses? Well, with the trips I have lined up, you could say it is my version of that. Don’t get me wrong, Bali for a couple months sounds amazing, but I’m not ready to leave my life behind just yet and so, my trips will be short and return flights.

But here’s the thing: I don’t just want to be a business owner or an influencer. I want to be a leader. But more importantly, I want to be an inspirer. I know it sounds cheesy, but I believe it deeply.

I think of life as a collection of specialities. People dedicate their lives to perfecting theirs, whether it’s marketing, engineering, or something as beautiful as motherhood. Every skill that brings value, whether emotional, social, or financial—is a speciality. But no one can master everything. It’s impossible (I would like to be proven wrong too).

That might seem obvious, but I find it thrilling. Life’s limitations mean there’s always something new to learn. And while you can’t specialise in everything, you can meet people who are experts in fields you know nothing about. You can remain in their lives, watching them grow and refine their talents.

I want to inspire people. Especially those who lack confidence in their abilities. Sometimes all it takes is encouragement to help someone realise their potential. By lifting them up, they can refine their skills, improve their craft, and, who knows, even change the world for the better.

Another belief of mine is about retirement. Technically, it’s defined as leaving your job and ceasing to work. But to me, retirement doesn’t make sense if you’re chasing happiness. And let’s be honest, happiness is what we’re all chasing. It just shows up differently for each of us, shaped by our unique events and experiences. What we pursue internally often looks different externally to everyone else.

Scientifically speaking, happiness triggers the release of chemicals our bodies crave. It’s a biological motivator. So if you’ve found something that brings you happiness, why would you ever stop doing it?

People love to say, “You’ll get bored of doing the same thing forever.” But as someone who knows, at least so far, that I love inspiring others and solving problems, I can confidently say these two passions align perfectly with running a business. No two days are ever the same. As the founder, your goal is to inspire your team, your customers, and anyone who interacts with your brand. You want them to believe you’re special and that you deserve their time, attention, and trust.

That said, like all professions, business comes with rules to follow, intense challenges, and, of course, the complexities of working with people. But what I’ve noticed about running a business, compared to fields like law or medicine, is that while those professions often have clear right answers, business rewards those who create new ways and new answers.

That’s also why success in business is so difficult to achieve. But when your efforts finally pay off, they pay off well.

For me, work is not something I’ll ever want to “cease.” My work might look different as I get older, and my body’s capabilities might change, but I’ll still work. And honestly, isn’t that true for all of us? Whether it’s a passion project, caregiving, or just staying active, we’re all “working” in one way or another.

So, do we ever truly retire?

With Love,

Le Hare

Life Lessons

1. Life’s limitations are its greatest opportunities. Embrace the fact that you can’t learn everything, it makes life endlessly exciting.

2. Encouragement sparks greatness. Sometimes all someone needs is a nudge to realise their full potential.

3. Happiness is the best motivator. If you’ve found what makes you happy, don’t stop pursuing it.

4. Work doesn’t have to end, it can evolve. Redefine what “work” means as you grow and adapt.

5. Business thrives on breaking rules. Success often comes from rewriting the playbook and daring to do things differently.

This Week’s Wins

• Took the leap and booked my first solo holiday, creating space for reflection and growth.

• Had a breakthrough in understanding my role as an inspirer, clarifying the vision for my future.

• Journaled extensively during my trip, reconnecting with my deeper goals and values.

• Made progress on a new project idea while travelling, proving I can stay productive on the go.

Resource Recommendation

Book: Start With Why by Simon Sinek

This book explores how great leaders inspire action by connecting with their “why.” It’s a perfect resource for those looking to align their passions and purpose with their work, just as this letter reflects.

Reflective Prompt

What’s one speciality or skill you’ve admired in others but never had the confidence to pursue? What’s stopping you from starting now?

A: I have a coworker whom I see as an older brother. He’s incredibly talented, a hard worker, and no matter the circumstances—whether he’s had no sleep, his car wouldn’t start and he had to bike to work, or he had an argument with his wife before leaving the house—he still enters the office with enthusiasm and high energy.

I kid you not, a couple of months ago, while he was on holiday, someone broke into his apartment and stole $10,000 worth of belongings and his nice car. The only reason I even know about this is because I was being nosey. You’d never have guessed it from his demeanor. His energy, mood, and enthusiasm were completely unaffected.

I deeply admire this trait about him because I don’t think he realises just how powerful and beneficial it is for those around him. I’ve lost count of how many mornings I’ve walked into the office feeling moody or low. But simply hearing his mighty footsteps—yes, jumping up the stairs—would completely reprogram my mood. As a result, I’d produce much better work.

It’s a reminder of how much energy is contagious, and how one person’s attitude can ripple outward in ways they might not even notice.

I can’t say anything is necessarily stopping me from taking on this trait, it’s out of pure laziness that I find myself coming up with excuses such as: my big brother has it covered. But, I want to be that person because it aligns with my goals and so I type this as a means of accountability: Become that person and the first step is to fix my own habit before I can go around saying that I can inspire to fix others.