Most people associate October with Halloween — that frightful night during which the neighborhood kids dress up as ghosts and goblins in an effort to collect tricks and treats from unsuspecting houses. But this October serves as the setting for something even scarier: My 60th birthday.

Roslyn has been calling it my “Sensational 60th!” I just can’t wrap my mind around it yet. I don’t feel 60, and I certainly don’t act 60. How is it possible that I’ve already reached this milestone age?

Friends of ours who are 60 and beyond are already talking about retirement — but that’s the furthest thing from my mind. Why? Because I truly love what I do! Every time I get an email or a phone call from a member or client telling me that they’ve successfully implemented one of my marketing strategies, it makes my day! We love to celebrate those wins here in the office, and I’m often caught saying something like, “This is what it’s all about!”

On top of that, I’m following my dream — teaching has always been my passion — and I’m doing it all with my best friend/business partner in tow. Roslyn and I get to travel all around the country, talking to and meeting established as well as up-and-coming CPAs/ EAs/attorneys and other tax resolution practitioners everywhere. We’re in it together, and knowing that we’re making an impact on people’s businesses and in their lives motivates and energizes us. I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else or stopping now!

At the end of the day, you want to be remembered, not for the amount of money in your bank account, nor for the big house, or the cars in your driveway, but for the number of lives you’ve impacted. By continuing to help others succeed, I feel successful. That’s what success means to me.

On that note, remember to save these dates - January 6-8. We’re hosting our second annual Tax Resolution Marketing and Technology Extravaganza at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida! We’ve got some exciting new speakers and topics in this year’s lineup, and it’s sure to be yet another great event! You really don’t want to miss this one!

Of course, in the meantime, Roslyn has been busy planning my Sensational 60th celebration. We’ll be throwing a big dinner party with some of our closest friends and family members — I’m excited to have all my loved ones in one place, and Roslyn is excited to let the restaurant do all the cooking! Maybe by then (or maybe not) the reality of my situation will have set in — I really am 60. But just like “this is not your father’s Oldsmobile,” this isn’t your father’s 60, either. If you ask me, 60 is the new 40 — I’m at the top of the my game, and I’ve got big plans ahead for you and for me!