I believe in dedication and hard work. I believe in this company and the potential it has to do good. I like motivating others regarding their jobs and assisting them in finding fulfillment in their careers. I feel tired at the end of the day and sometimes frustrated, but that's life. I can't imagine giving up and shuffling around the house another 50 years. There is such lost potential for achievement and for contributing my limited energy during my active years. I'll retire when I'm out of energy! Retiring early seems like a cop-out to me. I've know a few people who had meltdowns and retired early but most of them ended up back at work in under five years.
This is the only part of your post I have an issue with. The assumption that you must work a full time job to be "dedicated and [work hard]". That you can't motivate others regarding their jobs or assist them in finding fulfillment unless you're employed. That you must shuffle around the house for 50 years. That there is lost potential for achievement or contributing.
I would argue that the old "do nothing but sit around" retirement is a dated concept that was adequate for a time long past. It's obvious to anyone who has done the reading or research that this kind of retirement is not particularly healthy, and that if you look closely enough, those "traditional" retirees who are healthy are actually doing some kind of work on a regular basis, even if they don't get paid for it.
This is why I think MMM's redefinition of retirement is perfectly adequate. It's thoughts like his that challenge the status quo and start movements. You can take the old definition and pile it up with other dated traditions like dowries, cemeteries and passing down plots of land to only first born sons. Words take on new definitions as societies and cultures change, develop and relate with each other.
I plan on being even more active and productive during "retirement" than I do now. It's just that A) it won't be mandatory, B) it will be on my time and C) I may or may not be paid for it. The things I want to do may not pay at all. I'd like to start and/or actively participate in youth organizations, to get young people more interested in mathematics and science, particularly in my area. I'd like to teach people to cook and eat healthy. I'd like to play music as much as possible. I would continue software development. But I want MUCH more time to socialize with family and friends. 40 hours per week isn't for me. I think we're capable of being very productive without spending nearly 1/3 of our lives at a job. For some people that's just fine, but not me.
