Any Suggestions

Hi, I am a 56 year old retired U.S. Servicemember. I retired October of 2001. Since retiring, I have had three jobs the last of which I have been employed for eight years as of this October. I am very much looking forward to succeeding as a Neothink Member. My concern is that I cannot become a value creator in my present job that upward mobility is based highly on favor rather than merit. I have dreams of goals and the type of lifestyle I desire but lack a solid plan on how to achieve them. Any suggestions?