Last week, Lloyd Graff wrote a blog called “What Brings Me to Work,” which we think will speak to a lot of you out there, people who work in a family business, and people of retirement age who keep working—not because they have to, but because they get to.
Maybe you’ve read the blog already, but even if you have, we think you will enjoy hearing it in podcast form, being read by the man who wrote it.
Listen on your favorite podcast app using pod.link, or:
View the podcast our YouTube Channel.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swarfcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarfcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmwswarfblog
*************
Link to Graff-Pinkert’s Acquisitions and Sales promotion!
Why am I still working when most of my peers have retired or are counting the days until they can play golf or do needlepoint?
I’ve answered the question many times, but I usually doubt that people get it or even want to get it. I will try to do it again as honestly as I can, so even I can really “get it.”
First, I need people in my life. I need connection and competition. Working connects me with people who like me, who respect me, and make me smile. Watching TV or sleeping or living in dread of getting sick and dying is what I would do if I retired.
If I could play tennis or golf or exercise that might be a substitute, but I cannot because seven retina surgeries rob me of my depth perception, arthritis in my knees and feet deprive me of motion, and strenuous exercise causes a form of migraine syndrome.
I’m not into canasta or chess.
What I can do is connect with people, write stuff that some folks find worth reading, and do what I like to call “connecting the dots,” which means weaving ideas together to create something new.
Watching television, even baseball or basketball, cannot do that for me.
“Connecting the dots,” the creative process, is second nature to me. If I could not do it almost every day, I fear I would have dementia within weeks. It may happen anyway, but I believe deeply that working, connecting the dots, and interacting with other people keeps me interesting, at least to myself, and hopefully my family.
The other big thing about working is interacting with my son Noah.
Noah listens to me, challenges me, argues, and loves me for the person I am. We sit across a big table, the same one I sat across with my father.
I consider this interaction a fantastic gift that I somehow received. I know it is temporary and could quickly melt away, so I try to cherish it.
I had it to some degree with my own father, but it was more argumentative and draining. What we did have was respect for each other and recognition of the other’s strengths.
Noah probably derives more joy and energy than I did with my father. I am nicer than my dad with fewer demons and a happier relationship with my wife. I want to continue to work as long as I think I am pretty good at the creative part.
When deals are more elusive, as they are now, work is more difficult. But I still want to do it. I know the next good deal will be tomorrow. The next bad one too.
But every day brings new dots to connect, new folks to meet, and usually a chance to share thoughts with my son, Noah. I live in gratitude for that.
Question: What brings you to work everyday?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
11 Comments
I am 75 and a lot of what you said describes me, I still work 4 days a week and have worked at the same place for 54 years. I still find my work stimulating because it keeps my mind occupied. I have been the CEO of our company but stepped back from that about 5 years ago and now I am working in an engineering role. I still am excited by the challenge of creating the processes required to successfully manufacture things. Even in my home time I have a garage full of old cars that I work on when not at work. I know that age will get me eventually but I don’t have time to waste sitting around besides, I’m having too much fun, and I’ll let the rest take care of itself.
And Cleetus you write a great comment too.
Stay at it Lloyd. My father, one of two of the founders of the company, came to “work” every day until a month before COVID stopped him from leaving the assisted living he called home for several years. The isolation he was forced into caused us to move him (at his request) to a hospice facility where we could once again meet in person. He had many health issues but none were a problem until he was cut off from socialization. His mind was sharp to the end and he was thrilled that we could meet and talk in person and as a family. He passed away peacefully in his sleep 5 days later. He was 97.
When he was asked what was the secret to getting old his reply was always “just keep moving”. I’ve come to believe he was correct. We miss him.
Mister chipster, whoever you are, I love your comment and appreciate the many sharp comments you have made in the past
Lloyd —
We met at an MDNA convention many years ago and I’ve enjoyed reading your magazine and now your blog ever since. Despite some health issues, I still work in our family business at age 74 and I hope to continue for many years to come. I love marketing and it’s nice to not have to worry about all the other aspects of running a business, although I still do sometimes.
T. J. Snow Company specializes in resistance welding machinery and the company is now owned and managed by my son, Sam, who is rapidly expanding our machining division.
Isn’t it great when the next generation takes over and succeeds!
Best wishes to you and Noah.
— Tom
Working with my son Noah makes it enjoyable too.
Best wishes to you and Sam. Hope he reads the blog and listens to Noah’s podcast.
Lloyd, I too continue to work for the challenge and interaction. I also am very fortunate to have my son, A.J. ,running the company. Hopefully he will have the same interaction with his children and we will continue on. I too believe that one of the secrets is to keep moving.
Hi LLoyd and Noah
I am 82 and still working every day. I love the challenges of running a machine shop, and now training a couple of new people for my succession in the shop. The company is up for sale, I don’t really want to sell it but my wife does. We have run it together for 40 plus years. One benefit of knowing Graff-Pinkert is I finally get to see a successful entrepreneur with a messy desk. Thanks for sharing.
Keith
Hi Lloyd, 1944 was a vintage year.
You continue to connect the dots in a way that is both creative and inspiring,
Peter
Thank you Peter!