Why Wait? How Gary Hibbert Takes 2-Month Mini-Retirements Twice a Year
How Mini-Retirements Work
Gary takes two months off in the summer and two months off in the winter every year. Here’s how he makes it possible:
✔️ Real Estate Investing – Gary built a portfolio of rental properties, creating passive income.
✔️ Business Systems & Delegation – He structured his business to run without him, using automation and hiring the right team.
✔️ Financial Planning – By managing cash flow wisely, he ensures income keeps coming in, even while he’s away.
His approach is similar to the concepts in books like The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss and Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell—leveraging systems to work smarter, not harder.
Why Mini-Retirements Work Better Than Traditional Retirement
Most people dream of retiring at 65 and spending their days relaxing. But in reality:
❌ Many people don’t make it to retirement in good health.
❌ A lifetime of work often leads to burnout.
❌ Sitting on a beach for a year gets boring fast.
Instead, Gary’s mini-retirement model allows him to:
✅ Take time off while he’s still young and energetic.
✅ Travel, spend time with family, and pursue passions.
✅ Stay engaged with work and purpose rather than fully stepping away.
How You Can Start Taking Mini-Retirements
Even if you’re working a traditional job, you can start building a lifestyle that allows for more freedom. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Start Small – You don’t need 2-month breaks right away. Try taking a one-month break each year first.
2️⃣ Build Passive Income Streams – Consider real estate investing or starting an online business to generate income without trading time for money.
3️⃣ Automate & Delegate – If you’re running a business, focus on building a team and creating systems so things don’t fall apart when you step away.
4️⃣ Plan Your Finances – Mini-retirements require smart budgeting and investing so you don’t feel pressured to work constantly.
5️⃣ Write Down Your Vision – Gary and his wife use a whiteboard strategy every year to map out their goals and stay on track.
