Is It Better to Retire or Start a Business?
Once you can retire, there is no need to start a business unless it creates something new that benefits humanity; otherwise, invest in the industry leader.
I do not recommend starting a business when you are already able to retire. If you want to start a business, do not leave your job. Entrepreneurship is meaningful only if you want to create something that does not yet exist on Earth and bring the greatest possible benefit to humanity.
I often say that if someone wants to open a coffee shop, I will ask, "What do you want your coffee shop to accomplish?" If the goal of making a coffee shop extremely successful is to turn it into a company like Starbucks, then you should put the money directly into Starbucks. You would then own a world-class coffee shop, fulfill your dream, earn investment returns, and avoid the risks of entrepreneurship. Humanity does not need two equally successful coffee chains. You only need to invest in Starbucks, visit your company every day, and enjoy your coffee. That is easier than starting your own coffee shop and lets you enjoy the pleasure of owning one even more.
If you want to start a high-tech company and the ultimate goal is for it to become extremely successful—the next Microsoft or the next Apple—then simply buy Q Q Q (00662 in Taiwan) and you will have achieved that goal.
The most important thing in life is not to keep working or to create more work by starting a business. The exception is someone like Elon Musk, who considers humanity's role among the planets of the universe and starts ventures that have never existed on Earth in order to help humanity survive and explore the universe. Entrepreneurship that benefits humanity in this way is worthwhile.
If a proposed business already has an equivalent industry on Earth and cannot improve human life, then you should not start it. Simply invest in the leading company in that industry.
We are not born to work and start businesses without end. That does not add much value to life. Instead, we should think like philosophers, because thought alone can add value to the individual. Spiritual energy can endure forever, while material things eventually disappear. What truly brings happiness is therefore not the sense of achievement from labor or material enjoyment, but spiritual eternity. That is the greatest happiness in life and the goal we should strive for.
After retirement, spend more time with your children, visit your parents more often, and spend more time with your spouse. Talk and communicate with the people closest to you, exchange thoughts, and observe society, the world, and the universe. Through reflection, create your own framework of thought and logic. This will bring you limitless happiness.
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All information we provide is solely a sharing of personal experience. We are not Certified Financial Advisors/Planners or professional tax advisers. Investment decisions and tax matters should be based on personal research or professional advice and should not rely solely on this content.
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