Go-go before you can no-go

A lot of people keep lists on their refrigerator. Groceries to buy, or chores to do.

For Robert W. Waddell, RICP, and his wife, the list contains locations where they want to travel, with check marks next to the places they’ve been and a tally of what’s on tap.

“I tell people I think there are three stages of retirement: go-go, slow-go and no-go,” said the 26-year MDRT member from Houston, Texas. “This is the go-go stage. I’m in good shape now, but I’ve seen people all of a sudden go from go-go to slow-go to no-go, and my wife and I want to take advantage while we still can.”

This is possible because Waddell, who is still working full-time, simply decided that he would take some time (about six weeks each year) to enjoy “the fruits of his labor,” which previously included extending his 2016 trip for the MDRT Annual Meeting in Vancouver another week so he and his wife could travel to Jasper and Banff, and extending his 2018 Annual Meeting trip to Los Angeles to visit friends and go golfing in San Jose.

On those vacations, Waddell does not check email or call the office, tasking an assistant with issues while he is gone. And it’s a good thing: Waddell and his wife still have a lot on their list, including Australia and New Zealand, the Greek Isles and Italy, and Maine.

Where do you want to go?

For more Whole Person ideas

•        “Well mind and body” (pdf)
•        “Don’t allow negativity” (video)
•        “Whole Person balance quiz” (pdf)

Written by Matt Pais, MDRT Content Specialist