Are you ever too old for a career change?

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Hey clash, if the new venture is baisically the same is it a carrer change or a lateral move?
Are you just unhappy w/the people your currently involved with?
Just wondering.
I did not choose consciously to change My carrer, but got My ass fired.
In the time between the discharge, The ONLY thing that was CLEAR to Me was that,,,
I WASNT going to continue earning a living as an OTR driver. Its miserable to HATE going to work every day. God knew I could not continue on that path.
I layed around for a while fighting for unemployment (got denied). the workforce development office called one morn. and started talking bout going to school.
I figured If I was going to get off the Rd., I needed to learn something.
I have been so ready to get out of The RAT Race ( off-grid) for quit a while.
So when this Lady started running down programs like HVAC, Diesel Mech. Electrical, wind energy,so on and so on. I thought well the electrical field is so diverse, and a guy can make decent $$$
I went into it thinking bout an apprenticeship w/the IBEW, I have a friend who is V.P. and has been President of his Local, in the past. He is not IBEW, but another trade.
So He has Family, and lifelong friends in ALL the trades in The city nearest Me.
It dosent take a family Member to get into the Trade Unions like it did 25yrs ago, but it still helps(netwok).
Just going back to School 30 yrs after dropping outta H/S at 17 in the middle of My Jr. year, has turned on the learning part of My brain.
I also can NOT pay dues to a UNION that will use those Dues to promote Political agendas that are CONTRARY to My personal beliefs. I am SO done living My life by B/S rules and Laws.
Where does that leave Me???

Well I am going to use the Elec. knowledge to gain any job as an Helper/Apprentice. to learn some of the Practical apps.( house wiring)then in a couple of years once I tie up some loose strings its off to Southern Colorado to live off the grid, and do as My GR8 Grandparrents did.
I am going to make it by applying Avery thing I know to making a buck here, and There.
I am currently experimenting w/Aquaponic FOOD production, and see a huge opportunity in the associated, possible income streams associated w/Aquaponics.
I have the property that My wife and I live in paid off, so this helps a lot.
I have a 30 x 48ft. garage sitting full of junk (as extra G. space gets).
Check out Youtube, sarch Growing Power/Aquaponics.
This is the kind of system I pln. to build into My garage.

My wife is with Me on this adventure, but scared outta Her head at the uncertainty, but understands that I CANNOT go back to driving a truck,She knows it would Kill My Soul to have to return to that.
Self employment is My only hope. I am NOT sure what I will be doing in the coming years, BUT I KNOW It is on Me to be Who I was put here to BE.
I have faith that as long as I stay commited to being FREE, and continue to follow My heart, that In a few years I am going to look back, and be PISSED I wasted so many yrs. being unhappy to $upport the Illousion.

Peace;1TT

 

[theclearspot]

TwistedTrucker. Snap. yes im hacked off with what ive been doin for years. Want to get out and do something different and it must be self employed. I have a few ideas ( an alternative Hotel/Pension retreat in the country) but no experience in it. btw im not the sort to dive into trying to turn hobbies into businesses. Im pretty cautious but just want to do something i ENJOY (i know its work aswell im not dumb). Maybe i'll go into lorry driving....

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Evrey one has to follow their own path.
The successful people, I am meeting,seem to have
1 thing in common, and that is they ALL took something they
are Passionate about and turned it into their lifes work.

If you make Your living doing what makes You happy,,, Its not WORK.

If I were to throw caution to the wind,,, I would have dropped the B/S
Electrical program, I am on the hook for$25k,and Blew outta HERE, for Colorado
in time to get an outdoor crop in. 8 weeks ago. I am committed to getting My Ducks in a row 1st.

Peace; 1TT

 

[mrcreosote]

I have succeeded beyond my wildest expectations in my career change.

I regret the many lost years before I became a grumpy old fart.

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

I feel a whole lot of syncronicity going on in My life, lately.

Is this what happens when you finnaly follow yer heart???

I am meeting succesfull folks with similar interests as Mine,
but No one doing exactly what I am planning,but still.

ATM I have not gotten far enough along to reveal to them
My plans and desires to build a Biz. around these Interests.

Ideas are a dime a Doz. Folks who can and will make them
reality, are few.

That's why MOST of US work for others.
Some good, but not in My experiences.

Most Truly successful Folks will eat a diner on You, and You will get a lifes experiences for the price of a GOOD Lunch.

My Bro. Who is in this w/Me knows peeps w/$$$, and they are ALL Shifty Frigging Dirt Bags.
I know the same folks, and would NEVER tell them shit.

My Bro dosnt understand the difference, and is afraid some one I speak to, in My efforts to learn Successful HABITS,,, will steal our DREAMS, and IDEAS.

I tell Him The Ideas are NOT ORIGIONAL,,,I learned the basics along time ago, and true educating My self on YouTube,
I pieced this plan together.

I have NEVER been a Guy who was comfortable asking for ANYTHING.(if I cant get it on My Own, I don't NEED it).
I also have NEVER really had any thing to offer, to deserve IT.(NO Self astime)

This has ALL changed, I have had set-backs(due to dreaming to BIG),But instead of
just moving to the NEXT obsession, I/WE scaled down, and are moving on with a smaller indoor Aquaponic Garden.

So when this System is up and running,,, Then It will be time to STEP up and Start just asking for what We need to Go commercial.

I have lots of home work ahead of Me,,,, Demographic studies, USDA Compliance,,, Marketing,,, Distribution,,, Accounting,,,,,???

I see their are a few Self-Employed Folks Here,, ANY and
ALL advise as to what you have read here, or ANY LIFE advise
Would Be Personaly appreciated, as well as Generaly Me thinks.

PEACE; 1TT

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Still doesn't mean you can't do it, most people don't want to go back to where they started and are unwilling to change for the pay cut. My parents were a prime example though of just saying fuck it and jumping in head first. My dad used to be a baccarat dealer back in the 60's and 70's making 100k + a year with my mom working as a cocktail waitress as well, decided they no longer wanted to be in that profession, quit out of the blue and started a tile company, he and my mom made 5k the first year but after a few years they grew to be one of the highest praised custom stone and tile fabrication and installation companies in the city in less than 10 years, and it turned out to be a career my dad can't stay away from to this day almost 35 years later because how much he loves it.

I think stories like this are So BEAUTIFULL.
I believe that you are probably unwilling to sacrifice your sanity for $$$$ to this day, because You seen Your Parrents make a conscious CHOICE to follow their HEARTS.

I just believe that Our Kids see and learn from EVERY thing WE Do and SAY, and,,, win or loose,, I would rather teach Them to allways be HAPPY at what your doing, or find a way to get happy.
By kids I have to admit I mean any young people in your life who look up to You as an example of Manhood.

Just HOW I am CUT, and don't get Me wrong KLids gotta Know how to tow the line to, gotta be Respectfull too.

PEACE & LOVE; 1TT

 

[skullznroses]

I have lots of good business ideas, I just lack the discipline to start writing business plans. The truth is is that its not very hard to go into business for yourself, the main part is mitigating failure by getting financial backing. I just don't want to lose my minuscule nest egg on a wet dream and lose any hope of buying land.

 

[huligun]

Dealing Art I have met some pretty amazing people and have made some important friends. I think that if I wanted to try something else I probably could. That goes with what Bombadil.360 says. It is who you know. But if you are a journeyman electrician for instance, making top pay in your field you may not be able to start a new craft

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

I am just now going to school to become an electrician, ATM im an unemployed 47yr old student, so No big let down$$$
As an over the road driver I was in the high $30's-low$40's the last dozen years.
Really not even Min wage considering I was away from Home 25-28 days a month 24/7

I don't have SHIT For retirement, and Nuttin but memories to show for My 30 yrs of laboring.
The memories were VERY expensive in retrospect, but I think even if We had been more financialy responsible,,, well I think I would be doing just what I am doing now.

It is tough, and the ONLY thing I know is I could NOT continue as We were.
I am going to Be successful in My new Life and I am going to be Self supporting aswell
If I cant tend My Garden,,Then put Me in it.
I don't need NO 401K.HEHeh.

PEACE 1TT

 

[theclearspot]

I think a really useful section on this website would be a 'Creative Business Feedback' section (i mean we have sections on almost everything else)where like minded people can comment on business ideas whether in or out of the Cannabis related field. I think asking people who have already business experience is invaluable. I like that website Kickstarter but although it claims to provide funds and backers for new entrepreneurs it seems to me most of the people are established artists etc.

 

[huligun]

There are a lot of things related to cannabis that one could do to make a living. Look at Bubbleman, he sells those hash bags and could sell them in Mississippi. They are just bags.

I think it is good to get medicated enough to feel inspired, but not so much that you cannot get something done. That could be said about a lot of things, but the reason cannabis is looked down upon by many is that it dampens motivation.

 

[theclearspot]

There are a lot of things related to cannabis that one could do to make a living. Look at Bubbleman, he sells those hash bags and could sell them in Mississippi. They are just bags.

I think it is good to get medicated enough to feel inspired, but not so much that you cannot get something done. That could be said about a lot of things, but the reason cannabis is looked down upon by many is that it dampens motivation.

Yes I was at the Prague Cannafest last year was amazed by the number of new Cannabis related businesses, mostly on the seeds and growing accessories angles. Not sure what would be a 'growth' market in this business though?

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

I think a really useful section on this website would be a 'Creative Business Feedback' section (i mean we have sections on almost everything else)where like minded people can comment on business ideas whether in or out of the Cannabis related field. I think asking people who have already business experience is invaluable. I like that website Kickstarter but although it claims to provide funds and backers for new entrepreneurs it seems to me most of the people are established artists etc.

Im Nobody ,,, but I think that's a GR8 Idea.
The program for Elec. I attend has been a LARGE waste of time, I almost Baled out 6-7weeks ago, but im on the HOOK for $25k, so I stayed and ROCKED the frigging Boat, and Now they have finally hired an Instructor Who has 33yrs in the Field, and is a Master Elec. Who has done Res/Com./Ind. Elec.,as wel as owned His own Motor shop, Is a Liscenced Contractor, Who has been teaching at a REAL college(not a for profit Mill) for 3yrs. I have 15 of 5o weeks left.

Got a little off point there, but its background,,,, K?

So I have figured out that My current NETWORK is full of hard working(for others) Folks, Most keeping heads above water, but BARELY.

I am working HARD to Meet and LEARN from a Whole NEW NETWORK of people who are Killing it every day, and bringing it HOME.

Ive had this New Inst. only 2 days, and have already let him know that once Hes settled in Here(Iowa) that I want to show Him around.
We are of a common MIND on So many things(NO MJ TALK).
He has been in a Motel for 1.5wks looking for Housing, and just got an Appt. so REAL busy ATM.
He Moved from Kansas, and don't Know NOBODY, Or nuttin bout this area.
I let Him Know also that I am done working for Disrespectfull Dummies, and am going the route of The Self-Employed, and as such, His Experience is Very valuable, and I would like to go to lunch and talk about the things it takes to actually start and run a successful Biz.

He said He is MORE than happy to Mentor Me.
If
I had baled to go earn GR8 money(2-3k take home/wk) in the oil fields driving a truck (which Ive grown to HATE),,Well I would have never met Tom.

Things are coming together for ME, though I still have YET to SEE EXACTLY where this will all come together, but pieces are starting to come together like a puzzle.
A corner here 5-6 pieces in the middle,,,You know what I mean.
I am just Honestly following My heart ATM, and there is some focus starting to emerge.

I will def. keep My progress posted, as this may be the path that 1 other person will find inspiring, and be just the key to unlock His/ Her desire to be FREE, I am not saying this path is right for ANYONE but ME.

I think it would be GR8 if there was a Forum for just this kinda conversation.
I guess We would need a couple of Mods w/verifiable creds.
There a few members here who support this Community, and have the Chops for the Gig.

I HOPE to Be THAT GUY within 5yrs.

PEACE; 1TT

 

[theclearspot]

Your dead right Twisted. What aspiring entrepreneurs need is a mentor/s who can see the obvious and not so obvious flaws - but also the good side of an idea. And I dont mean business advisers who sit in banks. So real business gurus who can add input. My problem is I just cant decide between the ' Know the trade done it before' business and the ' Passionate about it turn it into a business' model. Everywhere you read theres ten different people telling you ten different viewpoints. Like you I think I am gonna follow my heart and do the business (Cannabis related) but havent a clue about the market for it...thats why it would be good to have a place for this on the forum...

 

[Fly by Night]

New York will make an inmate out of you, plenty of openings for the career minded! Peace

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Ya TCS the know the trade path just was not an option for Me.

I stayed way to long and am just SO TOTALY over that Trade.
My Crisis(mid-Life?) was total,
I don't just need a New Career, but a NEW way to BE, if that makes since.
The Person I WAS made ALL the choices that got Me to that point.

For Me if I had not made the decision to take FULL responsebilitie for THE LIFE I have grown to HATE.
Well THAT GUY was not cabable to do anything but DREAM, and TALK the TALK.
I am commited to crawl, and LEARN to WALK.

Peace; 1TT

 

[Nor'Easter]

I did not read things through yet, but have to say that unless you are dead or dying, it is never too late! I don't have personal experience with this, but especially if it is something you can do on your own instead of working for somebody else, why not? Although not a career change, my mom had recovered from cancer and been out of work for almost 3 decades, and got back into it when she was 54! She got sick with other issues and had to retire after 10 years, but she had some happy years before the poor health progressed and before she passed on. She may have lasted longer if she did not receive so much stress from a job she often cursed, but she was finally able to live a little too. So don't be afraid of change or doing something new, and do what you love!

 

[theclearspot]

Hey Twisted ,how are you getting on? love to know how youre doin man.

 

[1TWISTEDTRUCKER]

Well I dropped that trade school I was wasting My time with.

We came to an agreement that let Me walk away with NO student loan debt, no private contract debt to school, and a small check for My troubles.

It took Me filing a complaint with My Attorney General writing My State Rep's and the director of post secondary education for My State.
I also wrote letters to the CEO of the school.

Bottom line was FRAUD.

I looked for Helper apprentice jobs for a while and all wanted to pay $10/Hr.
I wasn't ready to work that cheap, so I took another frigging truck driving job with a LTL company doing line haul overnights. That lasted a week.

I kept looking at trucking jobs, and just could NOT bring Myself to go back to it.
I put in a couple aps. for helper/apprentice jobs, and got a call Thurs. B4 Thanlsgiving for an interview that evening, and got hired on the spot.
The pay is $12/Hr. The contractor is going to send Me to apprenticeship classes when the new year starts next summer.
The apprentice program uses the same curriculum that the trade school taught, and I earned like 20 certifications while in that T S.
The contractor believes the apprenticeship school will recognize them, and probably start Me as a second year apprentice.

I am sore as hell ATM, it has been 20yrs. since I worked a job that had Me on My feet all day. Let alone on a ladder all day the 1st. day then the 2nd day was on My knees All day.
I got Me some nice gel Knee pads that night.

Residential electrician doing new construction is a tough gig for a 47yr old fat man.

I am still planning to get My aquaponics thing going too.
It will take Me 4-5yrs to get My Journeymans card.
Once I am a journeyman Electrician, I can move any where I choose to live, and NEVER worry bout finding work.

This has been a very long hard year, but I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I pretty sure it's not a train.

Peace; 1TT

 

[LEF]

between 10 and 12$ is a small difference imho