I got my first full time job out of college in 1977.  My annual salary was $8,700 before taxes.  It was considered a good wage.  Forty-eight years, nine titles and six companies later, I am facing the biggest challenge of my career; when to retire.

I’ve had my share of disappointments, reveled in amazing achievements and had more adventures than expected.  Close to 80% of my working life has been in the water treatment industry.  When I started as a sales representative, I knew next to nothing about the business.

Every sales call, tradeshow, pricing discussion, production meeting and government regulation was virgin territory to me.  My managers always seemed to know the answers, and I was mesmerized by their knowledge and ability to solve problems.  

At the beginning of my career in water treatment, veterans of the industry told me it would take seven years before customers would accept me as “credible.”  That was because most of our accounts were privately held businesses whose owners distrusted newcomers.  The corporation for which I worked rotated sales representatives in and out of positions on a two- year cycle.  

I still remember my first call on a long-term customer that underscored the importance of building relationships over a period of many years.  We were chatting about expectations for the following year when he suddenly opened is desk drawer and pulled out a stack of business cards held together with a rubber band (or “gum” band if you’re from Pittsburgh).  He removed the rubber band and began reading off the names of representatives and managers from my company who had called on the account prior to me.  When done, he said, “You won’t be here long!”  

Seven years seemed like an eternity to me, but I didn’t plan on staying in that job, or that industry, for more than two or three years anyway.  I had my sights set on exploring other opportunities that experience in sales would open.  Our company was a multi-billion-dollar corporation with three divisions and a slew of business units so the idea was logical.  What I didn’t realize was that the more successful I became at what I did, the more difficult is would be to escape this line of business.

Today, I remain totally entrenched in the water treatment industry.  I’m still involved in sales because I hold the title of marketing director.  And, customers, like the one who put all those business cards in front of me when I started out, have become trusting friends.  We’ve grown older together and occasionally still duke it out when it comes to business.

I like where I am, but I’m finding it more difficult to face the reality that this journey is coming to an end.  It’s much different now.  The challenges that fed my passions don’t burn as bright as they once it.

I’ve checked my finances; compared notes with friends who are considering, or have entered, retirement; and done a ton of soul-searching.  I can pull the cord if I chose to. The biggest fear is that if I take that “off-ramp” there’s no getting back on.  On the other hand, the stress and day-to-day headaches will be gone as well.  Then, there’s the health issue.  How much longer will I enjoy good health?  

When I add everything up, staying in good health tops the list.  My guess is that it will tip the scales toward retirement.  What tops your list?