Need Some Inspiration

"Has anyone out there walked away from a rather substantial salary to do something they had passion for? If so, what was tipping point to make you do it..."

I was 47 when I left a job after over 20 years. Most of that time I was totally into it... always working; always thinking about work... but after a while I realized how much of life I was really missing. What was that job doing for me, or my family, besides providing good income?

Our situations are not the same at all, but this is true for everyone: You only go around once. You and your family might have to do without "perks" of some kind or another but then, won't they also gain something if you decide to do something you really love. What a great message to send to your kids: Live your life with passion, not necessarily for perks!

Take a look at your financial situation. Can stuff be cut out permanently? Can you nake it on the lower income if you cut out stuff?
When I was 6 months pregnant with my 2nd child I started a job in 1999. It was a good job; nothing spectacular, but I liked it. I only spent 2 wks at home with my daughter when she was born. I have always regretted not staying at home longer. Anyway, in 2002, they laid me off. I was 5 months pregnant with our 3rd child. I had been thinking about quitting to be a SAHM, but was scared because I didn't want to do without alot of the stuff we had. That lay-off was one of the best things to happen. I was a SAHM for 5 yrs and have been working for 1 yr this month. Because of the lay-off, we had to give up a lot of things. For a long time, there was no going out to eat at all, no movies, satellite was cancelled, stuff we bought every payday at Wal-Mart was cut out. Even now that I'm back at work, we don't have cable/ satellite or even regular tv because we've learned to do without and tv takes up too much of our family time, anyway. We do have a Netflix subscription that's $17 per month and I borrow movies from the library. We buy the kids inexpensive clothes at Wal-Mart or Good Will only when school starts and shoes twice per year. We try not to buy anything unless we really need it. As a result, in the last year, we have had lots of time to sepnd together, we have bought 2 used cars and are just a few pmts away from paying them off.
My point is... My dream was to stay at home with my kids at least for their baby years. I had that forced on me because I wasn't brave enough to do it myself. It took a lot of sacrifice and those 5 yrs were financially and sometimes emotionally really very hard. But they were wonderful years to spend with my kids. If you really want something, there's always going to be sacrifice and tough decisions involved and no small amount of courage. Talk about it with your husband and make the choice together.

I am a firm believer that we all have a job to do here on earth and we are given special gifts and talents to do them. Maybe what your doing now is to prepare you for your next journey. Draw your strength from your sucess in your current career and go for it. If your heart is leading you away from where your at you should pursue it. start small volunteer in the industry your interested in and talk to people whom do what you want to. If you need education do it online or in the evenings. Start preparing finanes to make a lifestyle change. If you can ask for a part-time position in your current company to free up time to pursue your dream. When your ready to leave your job and transfer to your new field you will be happy and prepared. As far as finances go there are a lot of ways to make money. Do you have a financial planner that can put your money where it works for you or that can help you plan for the future. I highly recommend sitting down with one and letting him know what your plans are he or she can help map out a sound plan to walk away from your job. Time goes fast and you only get one life. The biggest failure in life is that if you dont try. What a wonderful example of following your heart and walking in faith. (with a little planning) Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about doing both? When I was surprisingly pregnant with my first baby, I was finishing up an internship in pharmaceutical marketing research. I knew that I wanted something different in my life, but necessity and responsibility won over, and I continued down the same career path.

Last year on my birthday I had this epiphany that every decision I was making in my life was for the future...for some day. I want to save so that "some day" we can have more, I worry about every little thing we say or do with my children so that "some day" they will end up as well adjusted, contributing members of society. I don't eat the delicious cupcake at the birthday party so that "some day" I might fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans! ;)

Well, I looked at my life and realized that some day will come and go before I start enjoying EVERY DAY of my life. I am currently working two jobs--my photography business, which is my dream and my passion. It fills me up with more joy than I can possibly even describe with words! I enjoy it so much that I will sacrifice nearly all of my free time to do it.
The other is what pays my bills until I can muster up enough courage to quit!

Yes it is time consuming, but it brings me extreme fulfillment because I can do what I love without significant drain on my family's finances and it's less risky. Additionally, I am able to focus on my photography clients for the creative aspects, and not focus on how much money they will be giving me. It's really a nice balance. Eventually I would love to drop the marketing job, but until then, I will be content to have decided to make my "some day" come NOW!

You can do it! You owe it to yourself to have a chance at true happiness and fulfillment. Life is just way to short not to.

Yes I did it. I gave up my engineering career of 12 years to become a teacher. This is my first year as a teacher.
I'd be happy to share the details, if you are interested.

Hope that helps,
H.

www.yourpathmovie.com I understand.I also am going through trying to change my path.I have a few entrepreneur ideas I would like to go after that would also allow freedom to live and explore life.It all moves soo quickly.My choice?I have started a web based business in hopes that it will surpass my current income...and then be able to pay life forward within searching for my God given talents. www.northbuffalo.jdpremiumproducts.com
"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it,but that it is too low and we reach it."
-michelangelo
Lets build something together....WOW wish only well

I started Mary Kay 2 years ago and more than times can count it has gotten us out of a jam with the bills. My husband was skeptical and sometimes still is. I'm not rich doing this, but I can be. It's a move at your own pace type of business. You can go fast or slow. I chose this over working in the corporate world and being miserable. Being miserable over going after my dreams...I would pick going after my dreams any day. Even if I have to live below my means for a period of time. It's a short term sacrafice for a long term gain.
Here are some details:

There are 3 Forms of Income:
1. Sales from shows, facials and reorders – 50% commission - the highest direct sales commission paid
Our product is consumable, like milk or bread, so reorders are a large part of our income
2. Team Building - Beginning with your 1st team member – 4% commission
Five or more team members – 9% or 13% commission
3. Career Car Program – Drive a Career Car or choose the Cash Compensation
• Pontiac Vibe or $375/mo.
• Saturn Aura or $500/mo.
• Cadillac or $900/mo.

Why own a business?
• The American Dream is to be your own boss and set your own hours
• Tax Deductions – with tax write offs you can lower your income taxes

Tax Benefits and Deductions
• Automobile costs - .485 cents per mile for business related-travel (starting in 2007)
• Telephone – your cell phone can be your main business line
• Entertainment and travel – when primarily for your Mary Kay business
• Show supplies – washcloths, cotton balls, tablecloths, beauty showcase, etc.
• Office supplies - printing, postage, paper, pens, etc.

What are the advantages of having a MK Business?
• No sales quotas or territories – Take your business anywhere in the U.S.
• Full training program - Education, Motivation & Inspiration taught by Top Directors weekly
• Earn Rewards - Diamonds, other jewelry, luggage, trips to exotic places
• Website Business for only $25 for the year – No hidden fee or monthly maintenance fees
• Family Security Program - as a National Sales Director
• Residual Income - on sales (consumable product) & team building
• Live On Your Terms – Freedom & Flexibility, set your own pace based on your schedule
• Opportunity to Share – Great leading brand products that everyone will love.
• Achieve Success – Enjoy opportunities to reach your goals.
• Enrich Lives – Sharing the opportunity with other women to help them reach their goals.

What does it cost to start a MK Business?
• $100 beauty showcase (a $350 retail value) plus local tax and shipping
• Inventory – optional, but highly recommended
• 90% buy back guarantee from the company

Our Company Philosophies
Mary Kay Philosophy
God first, family second, and career third.
Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I can explain more by sending you a free packet of information to look at. No strings attached. Like I said, I am unemployed right now except for Mary Kay, and I haven't been able to work it consistently and it still pays the necesseties. It is a blessing. And even if Mary Kay is not for you, it would give you some ideas as to what you might find to help you in your time of need. If you send me your mailing address I can send you the packet, if you are interested. Or you can go to my website: www.marykay.com/ecrawforddunklin. I hope this helps.

E. D.