You need a steady balance of working today's clients while looking for tomorrow's clients. If you only work for today, the phone may be quiet next week or next month with out any new listings or new buyers. Noah I love the thought provoking questions you are asking, it has got me hooked on the q and a. 

Not planned anything yet - just thinking that I will be in Real Estate, forever!

Working hard everyday seems to be needed everyday.

In all things moderation, Noah.  Keep it all balanced with today and the future in mind.

Noah Seidenberg - I suspect that many real estate agents are not funding retirement accounts that will allow a comfortable retirement when they are ready for that step.

Noah,

One of our clients is 76+.  She loves what she does, and if you asked her about retirement, she would say, "retire from what?".  She hired us to stay ahead of the younger whipper snappers who were nipping at her heels.  She does not need the $$$ she will tell you as she put all her grandchildren through college.  She loves her work and has no intention of giving it up!

When we were working with her, we drove past a house she had sold 3 times, and she said, that house put my son through Harvard and law school.

What I am trying to say, if you love what you do, the money is there, the flow is there and you become the go to person...A

Noah, the two options you suggest do not present the complete picture.

At the fundamental agent level they seem correct, however, as success is realized the business owner understands the greater purpose.

Some are compelled to stay in business BECAUSE they have opportunity to touch the lives of others in incredibly beneficial ways. Whether it is assisting others to find a path of financial Independence or security, to finding where their vocation and avocation intersect.

Others of greater vision want to change, to create change in the industry regarding the services and methods through which real estate sales are conducted. Such changes often provide the consumer and professional greater choice regarding the structure of the business models available. We have all had opportunity to witness the passion embraced by these innovators and early implementors.

My goal is to be engaged in meaningful work. This could mean finding a building for a homeless shelter, helping another get started in their business, guiding some through the sorting of the confusion of life to embrace what is truly important in life. My goal is that my work be meaningful. When I'm gone, that someone will notice.

What is so incredible about the business of real estate is the opportunity it provides to touch the lives of others in many dimension and very meaningful ways. The vocation is but the vessel upon which one travels on this journey.

Added to the two choices above for personal and financial goals should be:

Influencer

Innovator