Thread: Has Anyone Here Re-invented Themselves? (Serious Question)

For the past decade or so, I've been dedicated most of my life to sports journalism. I have a blog, I write a newsletter, I record videos and podcasts, and I get paid to ghostwrite sports articles. This is what I do, and to some degree, who I am.

But I'm beginning to think that it has run its course. Not due to any lack of passion or interest on my behalf, but simply because I don't think there is any long-term value in it anymore. The odds of me getting a legitimate, good-paying gig in television, radio or newspaper(lol) are negligible, and become more negligible as each passing year churns out thousands more college graduates that are competing for these jobs.

I've always felt like I was working towards something, and the idea of throwing thousands and thousands of hours of work and devotion out with no payoff makes me feel sick. But what is the alternative, to continue churning away and wasting hours that could be being used on building a legitimate career?

I can't go back in time, but I can change the future. I unfortunately don't even know where to start when it comes to picking out a new line of work or focal point.

But I was just curious... have any of you gone through something like this? Completely shifted your life/career focus? I'm still just a stupid kid, and would be very interested to hear any success/failure stories as well as unexpected obstacles or rewards that may have come along for others.

I worked in corporate marketing since I got out of the NAVY 25 years ago, just this past year I changed paths and opened my own firearms manufacturing business. It is something I always wanted to do but is a complete change from what I used to do. Still getting it going so I can't say it is a success or not at this point, but it is definately something that I am glad to have decided to go after.

I've done it twice, once at 17 and again at 23, both times fairly big changes. Actually, I have even made a minor shift recently, but more of a lane change than a fork in the road. The things you say that strike me as important are "passion," "working toward something," "long-term value," and "legitimate career."

One of the keys for me is that both times I changed my career focus I was running toward something rather than just trying to change gears in order to get away from something else. At least at this point you seem to be exploring and weighing your options before taking a new direction. I'd say as long as you have questions, continue to explore until you find the person, place or thing you need to draw you away from your current passion. It could even be the abstract ideas of "long-term value" and "legitimate career," whatever it is you deem those to be. The one thing I don't like about those phrases, by the way, is that there is some implied concept of compromise there. Do not head in that direction if the allure is not stronger than the threat of compromise. Put another way, follow your own heart; commit fully only when the allure is strong enough; and if you choose just the abstract direction of "legitimacy" and "safety," then remind yourself that you found enough to inspire you in that direction and pull you away from what you were doing.

Personally, my journey went from a "legitimate" college pursuit to athletic endeavors and finally to art, and, honestly, I went from passion to passion to passion and wouldn't have it any other way. I found a niche in my artistic career that involved a steady and salaried position at the cost of long hours, and my recent minor shift was to reduce my hours for quality of life considerations. I've got friends who've given up their artistic pursuits for more stable positions and those who are still actively pursuing art or music and struggling financially. All of them have their moments of happiness and of despair. IMO it's much better to despair with money in your pocket than about the lack thereof, but that wouldn't stop me from suffering financially for either art or my sanity. It comes back to choosing what is most important to you and being sure enough that when you do struggle and question your decision (and that day may or may not come), you can remind yourself that there was a good reason you made that choice.

Also, obviously, I find no problem with switching more than once. I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind starting over, though, and it seems just from your short missive that maybe you would have more of an issue with that than I do. Whatever you decide, best of luck. If anything I've written has been helpful, and/or I could answer any other questions you might have, please feel free to ask.

Yep I did I guess three different times. I had a FX business for years back when effects were done real time and not with a computer. When my wife got sick and I needed to be home and not on location, sold out to my partner and started a semi-retired finish carpentry business. After she died, I decided to retire full time and mess around doing my life long passion for kicks breeding, raising, training and selling Cross Country Racing Arabian Horses. All of them have been good to me, although, my family and I wonder if I really retired following my passion of late.

Sales of Computer Hardware --> from Editor to Producer for Fox/Disney (third party post house) --> Sales to Defense Department --> Human Resources Management, Indian Health Service --> C.O.O. of Internet Broadcaster distributed by CBS

So YES...several times. Editing/Producing was self-taught. The HR gig was out of desperation during the worst of the recession. Opened the paper and saw it was the only decent position in my crappy AZ town so I applied, got an interview, studied HR on the web overnite and aced the interview. It's all how badly u want it (or need it in my case).

I have not done it, but may need to in few months.

In my late 20s I moved from guitar player/singer to live sound engineer. I had to learn a lot of electronics, acoustics and physics, but it was the best thing I ever did. As a guitar player, I would never have worked for the incredible artists with whom I have toured the world mixing sound nor would I have enjoyed the frequency and variety of employment.

Originally Posted by VCRW

In my late 20s I moved from guitar player/singer to live sound engineer. I had to learn a lot of electronics, acoustics and physics, but it was the best thing I ever did. As a guitar player, I would never have worked for the incredible artists with whom I have toured the world mixing sound nor would I have enjoyed the frequency and variety of employment.

I've heard this so many times...I applaud you and your decision. I'd love to hear some of your stories...I bet you've got many! I played guitar and sang for so many bands, I wish I had gotten behind the mixing board rather than woodshedding in the studio and or bedroom. I can think of two occasions where I SHOULD HAVE made a life changing decision and I stuck to playing with my band. I thought that I was going to be a (touring and signed) rock star. Now at 50 years old, I laugh at my choice. Oh well.... My glass is always 1/2 full....

Have had to change paths a couple of times. First full-time gig I had was in Insurance Sales. I specialized in Disability insurance. In the mid 90's, a lot of carriers stopped offering these policies and I decided to try something else. After about a year and half of floundering, I found a great job in mortgage sales. Was there for 3 years when the company got bought out and all of us in sales were laid off. Took only a couple of months to find the advertising job I have now. Been here almost 12 years.

Look at your skill set, you're a good writer, from knowing you personally, you've god gerrat personal skill. Go to Monster or some other career site and start looking at all kinds of job postings. After a while, one or two will pop out to you to consider. Best of luck in whatever you choose. I for one have no doubt you will be successful.