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Originally Posted by antonyh
What are some of your business idea(s). Just interested. I think entrepreneurship is awesome.
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And somewhat terrifying!
My goal in broad terms is to:
Transition from my fulltime job (where my employer is paying my health insurance, pension etc) to full-time self-sufficient private teaching, while, simultaneously, publishing two books. For someone like me, who has found it easy to fit into a pre-scheduled environment (working in a threatre where everything is planned out for ya), the change to a self-motivated and self-initiated/accountable life has been a challenge. And while I have a fair amount of students, it's a whole other matter teaching privately full-time. Kinda like circus performing without a net.
I know that I have the skill to actualize my goal of teaching full-time, but it's all the other 'stuff' like organizing my finances, finding a publisher and creating a website etc that have made me realize one huge thing:
I need help!
We can't do anything of importance alone.
We have to have help. We have to reach out. And we have to let others help us. And for someone like me who thinks he doesn't need any help...well....that's been a big deal!
So- I've been in the process of finding my 'support system'. That means a writing coach (I took a series of classes in writing to get started) as well as a counselor. Another friend is helping me with money matters.
The truth is- this is all stuff that can be learned. But if you grew up, like I did, in a family where the real stuff of life and living (we won't even mention the whole gay factor) wasn't dealt with, it can be mighty stress inducing.
The answer? A plan (and I mean an actual written down plan) and taking things one step at a time.
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Originally Posted by anthony
It can be difficult sometimes to simply give yourself permission to pursue what YOU WANT. I decided to try this philosophy after graduating recently and I start a non-profit job advocating for LGBT sacramental/civil rights in January. I'm so excited. I could make $15,000 more per year in the corporate world but I'll be happy at work for once...so who cares.
My next goal is to become ordained and enter the ministry (yeah, frightening I know ). How I am going to pull that one off as an out gay man in a committed relationship is yet to be seen.
Relentless focus on what YOU WANT |
Andy has some great ideas! (God bless you buddy!) I certainly think that being an out gay man in a relationship and serving in a church can be done. Case in point: I don't know how the particulars came about, but my hubby's Rector serves at a parish in the Bronx with his Mr. Husband. There they are, both at the altar. Ain't that something? (Episcopal) They live in the Parish House together. Open and above board. Fr. Haller's blog is....
http://jintoku.blogspot.com/
I really believe that if we 'put it out there' the universe, or whatever it is, will respond. We will be presented with choices. But we have to be awake enough to know what's staring us in the face. It's all too easy to take the 'safe' road, right?
I don't think this is magical thinking. Far from it. I simply think that as the Wise One's have said: "When the student is ready, the teacher will show up." And the wisdom or word that we need to hear can come from the most unlikely place. Follow our nose's as it were.
We have to encourage ourselves and others to live up to our potential. Or at least die trying.
You never know what tomorrow brings. So we might as well learn to risk a little bit. And then a bit more.
Hey....if I can do this (at nearly 50), anything is possible. What's the alternative? More of the same? Hell! I don't want to look back on my life and think about what I could have done.
And they call this a midlife crisis!
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Originally Posted by Zerbie
Danny, I love you so much!  |
Right back at ya!