Trying To Make a Comeback From ‘Retirement’
You see it all the time in the sports world. The latest example is Scottie Pippen, the former basketball great who played most of his career with the Chicago Bulls. It happens often in boxing. Buster Douglas attempted to come back, but was unsuccessful. Probably the most famous example was the great George Foreman. We all know how well that turned out, both in the ring and the business world. Sometimes athletes come back because they miss the competition and excitement. Other times, it’s all about the money. In most cases, it’s probably both.
I have been ‘retired’ from true enterprise-level web application and database development for about 6 years. I have held different project management and consulting roles since then. Don’t get me wrong, I can still code html, php, and css just fine. But thinking on a broad scale and being able to whip out database structures on the fly seems to have disappeared. And honestly I don’t know if I can get that back at this point. I have been using nothing but pre-built solutions like Wordpress, Textpattern, and other CMS tools.
Now I sit here at my desk with five or six web business concepts that, at first glance, look like they should be relatively simple to execute and produce revenue. But as I dive deeper into thought, that spark that would start a fire and allow me to kick out 40 tables in a custom CMS just isn’t there. I have to write everything down first, do a little research, and edit my notes and thoughts as I go. Jesus, I’m only 31! It kind of reminds me of that scene in Vegas Vacation were Clark Griswold is sitting in front of the TV, obsessively watching the baccarat infomercial. I repeat over and over out loud, “Bet on Ruby. Bet on AJAX. Search is a natural.”
But I know I’m not the developer I once was. Technology changes so fast, that if you fall behind, especially as far as I have, it’s extremely difficult to catch up.
Do I still have any value? I’d like to think so! I have experienced so much over my early career that would provide a great resource to any business. I may not be the hot shot programmer that works best in isolation and pumps out solutions in minutes. But now I’m a team player, and more important, a team leader. I have developed greatly in other areas of IT and business management thanks to training and experience.
So which one will I be, Buster Douglas or George Foreman? During Foreman’s comeback, he used not only his natural talent in the ring, but also the talent he acquired through his many business dealings. He had grown professionally, and I hope I have done the same.
Monday, March 26th, 2007
March 26th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I have known you for 13 years or so, you do whatever you set out to, every single time! You are a quick learner and a researcher among all researchers. I have all the faith that you will do just fine. And if you need any of my mad computer skills, just give me a holla’. LOL.
September 8th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
MANY PEOPLE ELECT TO COME BACK OUT OF RETIREMENT. THERE IS SOMETHING SWEET IN THE ALLURE OF WORKING AGAIN AND GOING TO BETTER THAN EVER. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO CUT A RECORD BACK IN 1967 AND AT THAT TIME IT DIDN’T MAKE IT. FORTY YEARS LATER HIS ORIGIONAL RECORDS ARE SELLING TO COLLECTORS FOR BETWEEN $1,750.00 – $2,400.00 PER RECORD HE’S STARTED BACK INTO SHOW BUSINESS AT AGE 57 AND I THINK HE’LL DO BETTER.(HE SEEMED BORED IN RETIREMENT). TODD
March 8th, 2008 at 4:15 am
A nice article, and I’m particularly amused at the bottom picture/ad, what a way to knock out the fat.
May 14th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I wouldn’t sweat it too much. The web is changing so fast that we’re all constantly learning the new stuff.
I’d expect you to be rollong again fairly quickly.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Jessie…
The TrackBack specification was created by Six Apart, who first implemented it in their Movable Type blogging software in August…
August 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Your post makes one think! Great article. Thanks for allowing me to comment!
October 4th, 2008 at 1:35 am
Yeah, but you gotta admit that George Foreman grill DOES kick butt, and it was a great business idea, too.
October 17th, 2008 at 1:55 am
This is great article with great examples all over you get together important things in one articles…
October 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Let’s see how Lance Armstrong does next year in the Tour de France.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Boxing comebacks are all about the money. One-off fights that last 15 minutes for multi-millions. Doesn’t count.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Good luck to all those making comebacks – it’s inspiring to know there’s no such thing as too old, only not good enough (whatever age you are).
November 12th, 2008 at 6:26 am
You have to ask why these people who made comebacks went away in the first place. Coming out of retirement is often making one bad decision after a good one.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:40 am
Comebacks are usually a disappointment.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Comebacks are all about career, not glory – that’s why they’re sad.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Comebacks are all about career, not glory – that’s why they’re sad;
December 12th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I admire those who choose to resist and Stay Away.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
“Technology changes so fast, that if you fall behind, especially as far as I have, it’s extremely difficult to catch up”
in my opinion, it’s true all the time and finding a ‘big objective’ for career is work of youths
April 14th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I don’t believe in comebacks, you have to look a retirement as an opportunity to change your life to go solo a create your own business
July 7th, 2009 at 4:39 am
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July 30th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
well better have plan B for every plans tht each of us might partale because if our plan A ill not work out like foreman he had his business aside from his career
August 5th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Michael Schumacher is coming out of retirement for the rest of the season, so it will be interested to see if he should have stopped at the top of his game.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Great article men! I know where you’re coming from. I have not retired and try to make a comeback, but I know people who have, and have also seen people who did, mostly celebrities. The sad news however, is that more people who tried failed more than they succeed.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:04 am
noteptc thank you very much
November 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I never knew we could search like that it’s interesting and something I might look into when I find some free time!
Works great for other bloggers and myself!
November 13th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
A retirement comeback at 31? Makes me feel like I’m about ten years too late to retire then!
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Congratulations on doing good work in sharing the border, such as’ re always do not know that ..
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
A retirement comeback at 31? Makes me feel like I’m about ten years too late to retire then!
December 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am
h?mm yes nice post
December 18th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Thanks A Lot…
nice post
December 18th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Ouv Sorry Wrong Comment
December 21st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
i Like this game…
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
When you retire you should stay retired. Being out for a while means you loose. Problem often is that these retired persons won’t even become as good in something as they were before. Then there is the challenge they miss out on.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:30 am
Many people are trying to come back out of retirement because of the lack of income, others simply are tired of doing nothing, as they are workaholics.
March 29th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Be like During Foreman’s comeback. Be wise in choosing what you really want and give your best shot.
April 5th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
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April 29th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Let’s see how Lance Armstrong does next year in the Tour de France.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Be like During Foreman’s comeback. Be wise in choosing what you really want and give your best shot
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July 6th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Let’s see how Lance Armstrong does next year in the Tour de France
July 18th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
I love watching boxing and I also love Buster Douglas. However, it is sad that this boxer can not play anymore due to rules of retirement.
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