Fin del Mundo... the end of the world...

As I get closer to becoming FIREd (Financially Independent Retired Early) I have noticed something I never thought would occur in me.  I am starting to slack off some at w$rk! I have always been a very loyal employee putting the business first and my needs a close second.  I have always had a a very strong w$rk ethic. I am a "tell it like I see kind of guy" which isn't great for advancement but at least I ended up in jobs I liked since I have never been a suck up of any sort. This has likely cost me money in terms of advancement or merit raises over the years. All that aside I always put in my hours and the managment always got both quality and quantity form me in the work place.

But things have really changed since I reached the financially independent part of my life - the time when I realized that I could quit soon and I would very likely be just fine financially. There is nothing more liberating in working than achieving the state of 'mental empowerment" - that time when you know what "the FIRE date" is and thus know when you plan on not working any longer. Knowing this date mentally empowered me at w$rk to be even more a "tell it like it is" guy and it also allowed me to further explain to my superiors that my actions were done so with no agenda in mind now that I was retiring soon.  It really is amazing how this little bit of knowledge in the w$rkplace changes so many co-w$rker and management attitudes towards you. Now there is a downside to being mentally empowered.  It has resulted in a negative behavioral trait that I now have knowing that my w$rk time is waning.  My sliding w$rk ethic due to my reduced motivation at w$rk has resulted in more slacking in my w$rkday. This has been an awkward challenge for me since I have always had a very strong w$rk ethic.  It is out of character for me to let my w$rk ethic slide but it equally satisfying knowing that my day is coming soon, and the end of this world as I know it...