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Next Phase
March 13, 2011 14:09
3 Comments
Tags: web development quilting scrapbooking cooking karate sewing
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what direction I want my life to take next. No answers, but here are the thoughts.

At the moment, I’m feeling a little “Jack of all trades, master of none.” For example,

* I’m fair at martial arts. I think I’m a pretty good teacher of it, and I do alright given the shape of my body and my age, but the time is past when I could be a superstar. The paths I can take in the arts are limited.

* I’ve dabbled in several arts and crafts, with varying degrees of skill. I’m decent at quilting, scrapbooking, cross-stitching, and clothing construction. I’m not an expert at any of them.

* My time in the business world was very limited. Lack of degree keeps me from applying to any of the jobs I think I’d truly enjoy, and to be honest, I don’t want to work for anyone else. I’ve been spoiled by a decade of self-employment.

* I am a decent web developer, but other commitments keep dragging me away from investing the kind of time and energy it would take to be great at it.

* I’m a terrible cook. I know a few staples that I can bust out in an emergency, but cooking isn’t something I really enjoy, anyway. I do love baking, but I don’t have the kind of innate sense for it that people like my mother and grandmother always did.

* Gardening is NOT my thing. I can weed with the best of them, but when it comes to keeping something alive, I am not your girl. Green things fear me, and for good reason.

* I am quite good at organizing events and pretty good at leading people, but I am not so good at motivating employees.

* I’m great with kids. They seem to respect and trust me, even though I demand a lot of them.

So where does this all lead me? I don’t know. I’ve considered starting businesses in event planning, food service, and retail (especially crafts). I believe my dream job would be to own a successful boutique bakery and coffee shop. The key word there is successful, and I’m not sure dealing with employee issues, taxes, bounced checks, returned credit card charges, supply issues, etc. would really make it as fun as I imagine it to be. That’s all moot, anyway; I don’t have the money to invest in a retail business, and I can’t ask my young family to make the sacrifices it takes to start such a venture.

I guess that brings it all back around to web development. That’s still my best chance to make a good income doing something I enjoy while being self-employed (or semi-self-employed). To do it right means I have to cut back somewhere, on some of the things that currently occupy my time. Maybe cutting back some on karate, some on volunteering, and some on socializing will do the trick. I guess only time will tell.
Comments

hmmmm…. looking at that list, a series of arts and crafts classes for kids (and maybe the moms, too) immediately came to mind. You definitely know those well enough to teach at least beginning & intermediate classes in all of them! Touches event organizing & leading, kids, multiple arts & crafts, website development/maintenance.

Posted March 13, 2011 by Suzanne (Shelley)
Of course, you DID say a ‘good’ income. So perhaps teaching isn’t the answer. ;) Unless you were wildly successful and franchised it (like the Music Together program).

Posted March 13, 2011 by Suzanne (Shelley)
Yeah, that’s the problem – the pay is not great for teaching. Add to that I either have to work for an existing studio/school (and pay them a cut), or pay the overhead to start a place of my own. Plus, while I think I’m good with kids, I wouldn’t want to do it full-time.

Still, there might be something there. Stay tuned. :)

Posted March 14, 2011 by Dana

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