Have you taken any time to stop and really think about your job?  What you do and why you do it?  How did you end up doing it?  How do you feel about it?
The story of my career is pretty simple.  I moved away from home (Texas) to Philly for a man I met in college.  I was looking for just about any job to pay our bills.  His father was in the insurance industry and knew someone who had a job for me.  So, here I am 20+ years later in the same industry doing something that I never imagined I would be doing.  The funny thing is that I sort of like it and I'm pretty good at it. 
So to answer my own questions – yes, I think about my job often.  I weigh the pros and cons of continuing to do what I do.  I could have a comfortable career, making a decent living, doing something that I am pretty good at, but that is not overly challenging.   Most days it is an ok job to do, some days I can't wait to quit.  But that is no different than anyone else.
Or do I take a leap, jump out into the unknown and do what my heart really desires – start my own business. Be my own boss, build something with my own 2 hands, my heart and my passion.   It is what I want most, my dream. 
So where do I find the courage to make it come true?  I have great examples, friends and acquaintances who are independents and freelancers and are making great successes out of their careers.  Do I have what they have?  I know I have the passion and the drive.  What else do I need?   So will they let me pick their brains?  Can they explain to me what that thing is that gets them past the make and break, the thing that makes them not question whether or not to continue. 
I know how hard those decisions and feelings can be.  I was with a good friend through the first 3 years of his business.  Those times we celebrated each new idea, client, contact or contract and the times when he was so unsure of whether or not he could succeed, he just needed to lean on a friend.
So how do I take that first step, put aside the fear and uncertainty and just take the step?  Guess it is going to be make a solid plan, have the passion shut my eyes, step forward and hope that there is not dead air underneath me.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend