Life’s opportunities aren’t always planned. And if you’re open to possibilities, the road can be filled with great, unexpected surprises.

In this episode, you’ll hear the story of a man who learned to embrace the unknown at a young age rather than follow a linear lifeplan, and how traveling off the beaten path led him to find a career with purpose.

Today’s guest and I go back nearly 30 years. I first met Jeff Markowitz during my early days in the financial services business; it was always a highlight to speak with him. Jeff is the author of five mysteries, including the award-winning dark comedy, Death and White Diamonds.

He spent more than 40 years creating community-based programs and services for children and adults with autism before retiring in 2018 to devote more time to writing.

Here’s a glance at our conversation:

• Why taking a gap year after school was the most important thing Jeff ever did
• How he successfully transitioned from teaching to becoming a mystery writer
• The life-changing impact of ‘practicing for retirement’ for more than 14 years
• What opportunities have made the most positive change in Jeff’s retirement
• The extraordinary feeling of walking out of the office for the last time
• Retirement timing for couples (when one spouse retires before the other)

Links www.jeffmarkowitz.com