Looking back over my career, I'm always asked, "Would you do it all over again?" I ponder for a while and come up with the same answer. Sure, and it probably would end up at the same place.

The first dozen years were spent working for companies in various industries learning as much as I can along the way. Many people questioned my moves at times when I took a pay cut to get a learning opportunity.

The last 15 years were spent operating my own local systems integration company. In the late 80's and early 90's it was easy and fun to get young technicians on board who were eager to learn and enjoyed the problem solving process. As the bubble grew, they began to watch their hours and always related the hours to compensation. The fun and the accomplishment were gone.

Many did not understand how my personal life and business life were one and the same. I did not distinguish. I worked hard and played hard. Sure I had my time with my family and enjoyed alone-time, but sometimes that got interrupted if a customer needed me. And I was happy when they called. It's a good feeling to be needed.

Explaining to someone to do what you like, the money will follow was hard to grasp for these Y- and X- gen'ers. When I started grooming some people for the eventual continuation of the company, all I got were requests for more money, stock options, time off and luxury cars. Trying to convince them that 70-80 hour weeks are the norm, I was quickly rebuffed.

When no one stepped up to the plate (or kept swinging long enough), I just said "to hell with it" and closed the doors. I put 20 people on the street, sorry. But I now run a one-man consulting company doing the things I love. I don't ask myself for more money, stock options or cars. I just keep satisfying my need to work hard, solve problems and enjoy every minute.