In my career of five years, I had switched my job almost every year in the early period. There are many reasons. Having started my career in a start-up company, I could spend only a year there as it was shut down eventually. Before landing at the firm I am currently working with, I had to switch my job two more times. Though I have been sailing smoothly over the past two years in the current job, of late I have been bothered by the thoughts of uncertainty about my future.
The simple question is "how long I am going to work as a Software Engineer ?". Till 35 ? 40 ?. I don't think I can continue in this industry beyond 35. That means another 9 years. By then, all my skills might have become outdated and my enery levels would have come down for sure. But will I have enough assets to generate the money flow needed for the rest of my life. Definitely not If I just limit myself with the current job. I could understand that there is a obvious need to get in to other avenues, be it Business or Investments. My poor knowledge about these topics scares me a lot. I see myself in a very risky situation due to the lack of knowledge about these basic essentials in life.
Having been brought up in a family - background with more inclination towards Self-Business, I have a natural interest to start and run a business successfully. I feel its high time for me to proceed further with the baby steps without making excuses about the external factors that are never in my control.
Just last year, I started investing in Mutual funds/equities and I would be first person to admit that I did them blindly as suggested by my friends / Investment agents. Anyways I had just made a start. I should slowly start evaluating the real estate opportunities and try my hand there. I know there are many surprises waiting for me. I have decided to enjoy the fun.
In the past few months, I have been reading some good books... To name them, "The seven habits of highly effective people" by Steven Covey and "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and "Cashflow Quadrant" by Robert Kiyosaki. These books have sent a wakeup call to the stagnated dormant cells that once had the burning desire to chase my long standing dreams. Hope those cells will turn active and help me in exploring all the opportunities I could see.