I started my first job in 1984 at the age of 12 years old. I began delivering the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times. A paper route in Chicago is no joke. 7 days a week - 365 days a year.
There is a 90 day period every year when there is snow on the ground and my shopping cart did not allow me to navigate the Southside streets of Chicago.
So, I took the legs off of a second shopping cart and replaced them with the blades from a sled. This allowed me to cut right through the snow and successfully complete my route - regardless of weather.
I did not know it at that time but I have had a job ever since accepting that paper route. May, 1984 until January, 2024.
I will skip ahead to 9/25/95 which was the day I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University. This was also the same day I started as a Marketing Intern at Harrah’s Joliet Casino.
Well, 20 positions, an MBA and 28.5 years later (all with the same company) it was time for me to take a break - my first break.
Here is what the past 5 months have taught me:
Spending time with my 3 teenage daughters has been awesome. After years of missed events I was afraid they would resist my new efforts to become a more involved father. It has been quite the opposite. We have traveled, hung out, I really got to know their friends and this has been the highlight of my time off. I will be visiting my oldest at Ole Miss and my middle daughter at Alabama this fall. I am also going to be in the stands for many more of my youngest daughter’s soccer games.
I needed to prioritize my health. I have had a physical, bloodwork, met with a nutritionist, began an exercise regimen, adjusted my diet and have attempted to get “good” sleep - still working on that one.
My life has had structure as far back as I can remember. Yes, even in a 24/7/365 casino executive position there is still a form of structure. I like that, I need that.
9am to 5pm Monday through Friday is not for me. I have thought about it as a possibility for my next chapter but have quickly ruled it out. I thrive on controlled chaos and am at my best in high-stress environments.
Most of all, what I have learned is that I miss working. I miss the people, I miss building teams, I miss being given a goal and then putting all of the pieces together to go shatter expectations and I really, really miss the action.
In the end, whether I should have called my break a Sabbatical instead of Retirement it has no bearing on where I am today. When I made that decision I had no idea if it would be 3 months or 3 years.
As it turns out 6 months was what I needed. I am fired up and ready to go. I am a damn good casino executive but if there is another company, regardless of industry, who is looking for someone to help you break through and achieve new heights please feel free to reach out.
Cheers!
Dan
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4moWithout the right attitude you're going nowhere