If you're looking forward to retiring some day, pay close attention to this story. Last week I got a massage. It was different than any massage I ever received, which is why I am sharing this with you. It reminded me of a key distinction between my most successful Internet business clients and those that seem to continually struggle.

While at my favorite massage center, the masseuse soon saw what a mess my neck and shoulders were. She guessed that I spend a lot of time at a computer, and she was right. We started talking about what I do in my Internet business, how much time I work and what I do on my time off. The substantial amount of time I spend having fun with my family and friends was shocking for her. Especially considering how hard I'd been working lately.

Her response was not unusual at all. In fact, whenever I explain my schedule I'm always greeted with envy first, followed quickly by confusion, then wonder at how I'm able to live my life so well. Being polite, I asked GP about her schedule. Her answer absolutely horrified me...

I was sad to find out that she rarely takes a day off. In fact, she hasn't had a day off for over 6 months. And she does six or seven massages a day, every day. Even Sundays. She's making some good money, but I see that she's making a monumental mistake when it comes to how she thinks about life. And she's not the only one. I see it every day, from people that work at a job and even small business and Internet business owners.

I'm here to tell you that I work regularly to grow my Internet business, even though I've tried retirement. And I don't have to, since I have a strong staff that handles the day to day activities. I work because I think there's a problem with the idea of retirement and putting off doing the things you love until you're old and gray.

The idea that you should sacrifice the best years of your life hoping to discover magical happiness in your later years doesn't prove out at all. It's just an old-fashioned theory you've been sold. And all you have to do is look around to prove to yourself how unrealistic it is.

The facts are: just because you get to retirement age, doesn't mean you're not going to have to work to survive. Just look at all of the problems with the social security system here in the US, and company pension funds worldwide. I'm not the only person with this opinion, either. Do some research and you'll find noteable experts saying the same thing.

Many financial and retirement experts agree with this new reality, that most people you know will have to continue working when they reach the traditional age of retirement. You may not like how this sounds, but I encourage you to take it to heart. And consider this viewpoint that the entire idea of retirement is flawed.

Just keeping the idea in your mind that life will somehow be better years from now when you're retired works against you. It will hold you back from greater achievments. You really need to prepare yourself for reality as it is now, not 50 years ago. Keep in mind what your life would be like if you could not retire. And how would the type of mindset and work you do today serve you when you're a senior citizen. Could you handle doing the same thing, every day until the end? So don't put off enjoying life until later on. You never know what could happen tomorrow or next month or next year. And the worst thing is having regrets later on. If you start an Internet business now, you could see yourself in a comfortable position later, but more importantly you would have the time now to do the things you love.