career change? What would be a good career change

[tractorwheel]

has anyone had a career change for whatever reason? job layoff, burn-out, mid-life crisis? just wondering. looking for possible ideas so try not to make fun of this question. thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[DUMBDOG]

After working in grocery stores and a hotel in college, finally went out and had a real job. Worked for a large wholesale utility company, did not like it as the people working there did not know as much as they should and they were in charge. Still cannot figure out how you put washers into inventory and the nuts into overhead, but I guess I never will.

Went to work for a small CPA firm that later merged with a larger one, found out that I did not like that, so after five years went out on my own, that lasted a year.

Then had a chance to go into the motorcycle business. Now this I really enjoyed, but was put to an end by a greedy partner who had the right to buy me out. He bought me out for peanuts and sold for a few million of blue sky.

Bought a couple of commercial buildings, would not have to work as both the wife and I are very frugal if not what some people would call cheap.

Started doing the farmers market, which is very capital intensive at start up. It is also very labor intensive as in hundred hour plus weeks. But again it is enjoyable. Hopefully this year I will turn a profit.

The thing to remember that what you switch to you should enjoy what you are doing. The enjoyment of doing what you like is worth more than the money.

I have yet to see an armored car follow a hearse to the cemetery.

 

[rox]

I'll secons what dumbdog said.
What do you enjoy doing?
Enjoy being at your computer, enjoy scouting perhaps working with children, enjoy construction, enjoy mechanics, enjoy the felowship at your place of worship, enjoy the fellowship at your local watering hole, enjoy camping, enjoy being in the woods/outdoors?

Tell us a little bit about what you enjoy doing, and we can go form there.

 

[1948berg]

You must make a choice, do you want to live for the job, or to job for a living.

(This sounds much better in Norwegian, do you have an expression for it in English?)

 

[Barton]

Live to work or work to live.

 

[Egon]

Many of us go thru periods of wondering where we are going and thinking of where we should have gone. It's when we integrate this with where we are at that doubts start surfacing.

Make no rash decsions and try and think long term.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[LarryRB]

you don't mention what area in the country you live, I would look at "what" is needed in your area and why someone hasn't produced that yet,... Like in my area, a few years ago, anyone with a small tractor could have had tons of backyard jobs. Enough that one could make a good living off it. Now,, not going to happen, All the yuppie types moving to the country are buying CUTs. None know how to operate and all will operate for nothing or next to nothing.... Find something you will like but, no one else in the neighborhood is doing

 

[RobS]

I haven't done this but offer a word of caution. If you enjoy something as a hobby but change that to an occupation you risk losing the enjoyment factor. An example for me: I enjoy woodworking as a hobby. It's very relaxing because I can move at my own pace and work to my own requirements. I have no doubt that I could sell some of my creations and make money doing so but... if I were under the time pressures and customer pressures that go along with trying to make a living at it I don't think I'd enjoy it anywhere near as much.

Whatever you decide, good luck and keep us posted /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hazmat]

I just finished reading a management book First Break All The Rules:

I'd recommend it to any manager or employee.

There are 2 main themes to the book

1. Productivity/Quality is a function of knowledge, skill, and talent

2. Talent is "hardwired" into an individual and can't be taught

An example - to be a nurse, you need to have knowledge - ie doses of meds and skill - starting an IV. But, to excell at the job, you need to have a talent for empathy.


Some other examples:

Competitiveness: Sales
Confrontation: Attorney
Precision: Accountant

They go thru a 12 step process to measure your probability of success (and your manager's ability) at your job

1 You know what is expected of you
2 You have the materials & tools to do you job
...
You LOVE what you do
...

One test to check for "talents" is Birkman

Long story short - you will be most successfull, productive, and happy if your new role utilizes your "talents" You can always learn new skills or knowledge.

Good luck

 

[jmc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1. Productivity/Quality is a function of knowledge, skill, and talent )</font>

We all know people with plenty of the above but still never amount to much. I'd have to add "Motivation" to their list. "Smart" ain't the same as "Productive".