OK, my life is alright, but this isn't exactly what I was thinking of when I was in high school. Back then, I wanted to be a Hollywood movie director. I wanted to design and develop computer games. I wanted to be a writer.

Right now I'm a multimedia developer in a small, West Virginia business. We get some interesting projects in from time to time, but its not all that. I'm making OK money for the area and I enjoy my family, but...

Did I fail to take enough chances? Did I let up on my dream too soon? More importantly, is there still a possibility I can make a change and start to go after my dreams now (in a practical sense)?

So are the seasoned players here where they expected to be after high school or do you feel the same way as I do?

Rabby, I don't think the real question is whether you took enough chances or not. I think the best question to ask yourself is "Am I doing what I love?". If the answer is Yes, then you made the right moves in your life, if the answer is NO, then you need to define what it is that you love to do and make it happen.

I am on the other side of the coin Rabby.... I took too many chances, I followed my heart more than my head. One day (seemingly a lifetime ago) I decided that I did not want to work a regular job anymore and I became a musician. I struggled for a few years, then started having a reasonable amount of success.... Then and after more than 13 years of being a professional musician in San Francisco and LA, I finally decided that I had had enough of living in squalor and chose to stop being a musician. I started a Multi-Media business.... It has been a good choice, I get to work the right and left sides of my brain equally, and there is always something different happening. The choice for me to start a multi-media business was not much different than my choice to play music.... One day I just decided that I wanted to do that, even though I had no experience whatsoever.

So, I DO think that you need to consider where your business is headed.... Have you written down the goals for your company including a timeline? You should. Once you tell yourself what it is that you want to accomplish, you will find that you have new motivations to get you there. The desired goals will define your next move. For example, maybe you define your lifelong goal is to make Music Videos. Now you realize that you need to move to where the musicians are (for example, LA or NYC). Moving me and my family across the country has been a very good move. I live in an area where I am landing jobs with CNN, The History Channel, A&E TV, Pepsi, About.com, and much much more. Although I had some interesting projects in SF, it was clear to me that I needed to move to either LA or NYC in order to follow my dreams.

Did you let up on your dream too soon? What is your dream?
Is there a possibility to make a change and go after your dreams? ABSOLUTELY

A long time ago, I was watching Oprah and she asked the question, "If you had all the money in the world and did not have to work, what would you do?... What is your passion?" At the time, I answered that I would be a musician. Then Oprah continued "Your career should be whatever the answer was to the question". This kind of floored me.... And she was right. If you are doing what you love to do, you will be much happier than doing what you think you SHOULD do. Clearly, especially as we get older, there has to be some level of restraint in your answer to the question. But the bottom line is, make sure you do something you love to do.

Are you following your dreams?

Last edited: Friday, December 10, 2004 at 8:48:14 AM

I don't think you'll find many out there in this day and age that end up doing exactly what they dreamed of doing from when they were young.
When I was in school, I dreamed of being an architect. Even went to a specialized HS where I took up architecture. Unfortunately, It somehow…didn't agree with me, and I switched to Design Graphics in college. Stayed with that for a short while once I got into the workforce, and then moved into System managment, which is where I am now.

But…I still have a creative spark in me that longs to be in the creative field. I feel somehwat settled in the work I do now, but I know that kind of complacency can be a bad thing. I've been toying with getting out of it altogether and getting back into creative work. I just need to get off my butt and do it.

BTW, good topic Rabby. Thanks for posting it.
Also, it's never too late to change what you do. As we get older, it becomes harder for us to adapt and change. It's more upsetting to have our world turned upside down. So in that respect, the sooner you make a change the better, but you can always do it, no matter how old you get.

I agree with OMs last paragraph, and I'm only 13, but still I want to create computer games and do some digital editing in movies. I'd REEEEEALLY like to use FCP4 (Final Cut Pro) at least once. But I probably won't make it there, but I'll try.
[~Sasuke~]

Even tho im not out of high school yet, I feel an impulse to answer your inquiry. My life has changed so much over the past 8 years of my life. When I began school, back when I was just a tot, I had a dream to become an engineer (not the train kind). Ever since I was 6 I had that dream...but as my years went on it narrowed down to the dream of mechanical engineer.
the dream still stays with me today...for that is what I am striving for. Denver University, BA, then a nice $70,000 job is what I have in mind...yet things have changed and the dreams always seem to fade away with events good or bad.
when I turned 8, my dad left. Things changed from there on out...eventually the divorce happened when I was in 7th grade, almost 5 years after he left. That year was a bad year for my health and my grades. I considered suicide more than once up till last year.
my school life wasnt great either...all through kindergarten and up till 8th grade I was one of the geeking brainy kids who sat in the back that you take lunch money from, or beat them up for no particular reason. No girl would look at me, no guy would talk to me (unless he wanted something of mine of to cheat off my homework).
8th grade everything changed. I got a more positive look on life, I decided I was done being the geek and so I got my health back into order, made friends.
im now in 10th grade...being homeschooled since 9th. I was introduced into an Assembly of God church by some friends, now I have been "re-born" so to speak. My dreams are still there, but have become cluttered somewhat with new found issues...such as finding money for gas, girls, etc.

But even tho those dreams are cluttered and my life sounds a tad confusing...ive hit my best years and am very excited for the future. I now see myself at about 18 living in a cheap apartment with a part-time job, going to school to follow that dream. The one true thing that HAS changed in it is the introduction of my wonderful, bright, loving girlfriend. The love may not last...but as long as it does I see it in the future. I pray it stays.

So to sum it up, I still have my dreams and I am still following them...but more on the edge then they used to be. Chances are a God send, only you can decide whether to take them. Bad or good, there is always something better around the corner, you just have to open your heart and your mind to find your true path. God is with you on it, even if nobody else is...

-scotty

Heh, if I was already set for life, I'd be spending my days flying airplanes and playing games. Make a career of that? I'd have a better chance of making a career from fishing! Frankly, I strongly believed in not turning my hobbies into work. If it goes bad, then what do you do to unwind?

Anyhow, I've always enjoyed "making things work," so I became a controls engineer. Sadly, NASA's going through some growing pains, and it looks like my divison got the axe. My contract expires in January. Currently seeing if there's room for me at SRI or Lockheed Martin. Ah well, a change would feel good, anyway.

I don't necessarily love my work, but I do love what results from it. Does that count?

- Bomb…James Bomb

@Tankgirl: A singer, eh? You DO have a lot of energy! I got to see a budding singer's lifestyle. I decided that running barefoot across a freeway seemed less hectic and scary. ;)

- Bomb…James Bomb

Hiya James... I never once mentioned that I was a professional singer..... (I am actually a pretty good backup singer though)....
I used to associate being a musician with being a professional gambler. Basically, you are placing all of your hopes, dreams, and future in the hands of lady luck. Sure it matters as to how good you are at playing, but it all comes down to the luck of the draw.....

Nah, these days being a succesful singer has more to do with marketing hype and a catchy gimmick than with actual talent.

Take Britney Spears for example…I rest my case. :)

In general, yes I am. For me it's been building computer programs. Now, it varies what I'm doing from time to time. I'm more like the Jack-of-all-trades type of person - I want to be able to do everything well, but not necessarily master anything. Lately it's been computer art I've been working on, as a hobby.

If I were set financially, I'd either become a professional hobbyist (doing 17 bazillion different hobbies) or continue to work for someone else (perhaps only part time) and hobbies the rest of the time.

My dream is simple, yet unequalled in it's loft. It is mearly to accomplish the most important thing ever conceived by man. I've been aware of the dream since I was five years old.

I was ejected from my car in a collision when I was sixteen. While in the hospital for a broken cheekbone I contemplated my mortality and my life's choices hitherto. I found that I regretted nothing for the most part, and have continued down the same path ever since.

I'm living my dream and loving every minute of it. I honestly can't imagine doing anything less. My ability to bring my dream to effect is variable but my desire to do so never wavers. :)

So TG you are saying that I should play TT 24/7??

(actually I used to some days when I was unemployed)

Music is my passion...i was a violinist and studied a couple summers at the U of Steven's Point in high school. (this is the Yale for violin)

I was all set to go there right after high school when I learned the hard reality of being a professional violinist. Absolutely no $ in it. Symphonies dont pay shit and the ones that do take a lifetime to get into. On the side gigs are soso but not great. Teaching is a lot of time and little $.

Also in high school I excelled at computers and there was tons of jobs and tons of money in it. I decided to major in computer science. I did that for 4 years and graduated the semester after 9/11. Since then I havent found one decent development job. (thanks osama) I have worked a few contracts and support jobs but nothing good. Now im a manager/grunt at a feed store. Its a matter of time til I reach my breaking point and have to leave.

While in college I took to the guitar. Got good fast and been in bands off and on ever since. Figured its fun, good chick environment, and some $. The harsh reality is that 1 out of every million bands can afford to feed their families solely on music. I dont have big enough balls to just move to a big city and try and start something big.

So now im in a band that is desparetely trying to start something and working in a dead end job.

(so cut me slack when I get pissy in night tt games :) )

B

Real Estate... One of the few fields where one can be truly successful without a huge education. I'm living proof of that. I'm a High School drop out making more than most doctors and lawyers. Go fig...

Singing is my passion... I gave up my hopes on becoming a famous singing sensation... But I still rock the local Karaoke joint!

Last edited: Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 8:16:15 PM

One word.....One solution.... GO SKYDIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! . I promise you that things will come into perspective. Once you are up there flying, like a bird, everything seems so to go away and the peace you find up there in the air will answer questions about you and your life you never thought you existed. CK.

...until something screws up and you end up like bird shit on a rock

@ Bolo

That's a very down to earth philosophy. I agree, TT is a much safer rush.

Lol@ down to earth.

I followed my dream and became a professional actor. I do a lot of theatre and TV, some voice and some film. I also write for film. I don't make a killing but I earn enough to not have a day job. I've had transcendant moments -- a great role in a play, a performance at a festival in Iran (I'm Canadian), a script reading with Sam Shepard and Kathy Bates, a scene with Al Pacino.

I love what I do. But you know what? I spend a lot of days wondering if it's too late to become a lawyer or a doctor. Because as much as I love what I do, I'd love to live in a bigger house, I'd love to send my daughter to a good school when she grows up, I'd love to travel more, I'd love to not wonder whether I'll ever be employed and get paid again...

Now I'm sure if I was a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant or a cop, I'd wish I was an actor. I accept that the grass will always be greener no matter what I choose. But I think the key is to not agonize about it all so much. Life could end in an instant. What do you want to do while you're here. How do you want to feel. What do you want to experience? What would you regret not trying. There's always time to reinvent yourself. Hey, I was the chubby kid in elementary school. Last year I ran a marathon.

@Scotty

You are so perceptive and eloquent beyond your years. Sounds like you had some of the same things I had to deal with when I was growing up. Way to go for getting on top of things.

Wisdom is beautiful.

Now if only I could stop playing this damn game and do something useful with my life ;)

@bolo-I thought the same thing, until I did it. And guess what....I'm still here. And even though I might look like bird shit on a rock while doing it, I came far from actually being it. XD ;)

@TG - Well, I don't love what I doing now, at least where I am now. I'm an employee at a small computer outfit in central WV. The owner's are really nice and the work environment is casual, but they're not really driven. I've pitched a few ideas that where well received, but never given the go ahead to develop them. The owners tend to favor person to person contacts for new business and are only just now considering advertising and marketing. Honestly, I don’t know if they’re going to be here in 5 years, but they’ve already made it for 15, so I guess they’re doing something right.

I had the opportunity to work my dream job while in the USAF. I was working as a video producer/director. It was small time, making training and informational videos, but I loved it! (I think they’re still talking about some of the shows I made.) If I had unlimited money, I’d get into video production again or go into 3D modeling and animation. In both cases I would be involved in producing shows.

The bright side is we’re in the process of forming a business relationship with one of the few video production companies in WV. I’m scheduled to visit them in early January and I hope that begins a process that sees me either subcontracted out to them or hired outright. That’s definitely the direction I’d like to go.

The funny thing is I wouldn’t mind taking over the family business. What’s so funny about that? Well, the family business is a landfill. I know it sounds like a total switch, but I worked there for a few months as the office manager. Unfortunately my 3^rd cousin is in charge and he’s an idiot, so I left as soon as I found something in my career field. But I really caught the bug of running your own business and making plans and trying to break into new markets and finding the balance between making a profit and meeting the budget and calculating, and projecting, and crunching numbers, the whole bit. That job would also put me close to family and really challenge me on a daily basis. At to that the potential of making $300,000/mo (gross) in household garbage alone, and you can see where it might be an attractive career change.

As it is, my wife’s pursing her master’s degree which she should complete in 2 years. So I’ll continue to develop my skills, make contacts and remodel our house. Once she’s finished, then we’ll really be in a position to consider a move and a career change. Perhaps my 3^rd cousin will be fired by then. ;)

Last edited: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 6:05:56 AM

@ jaq

Lol! Ah well what can we say...TT is addicting lol
and yes I agree the grass is always greener.

Btw, what tv do you do? Somethin national?

-scotty

@scotty - and I haven't ruled out the possibility of seminary or being a missionary or whatever other ministry opportunity that may come along. XD

@Scotty

Right now, I'm in a TV series called 'Dark Oracle'. It's national -- in canada. I'm sure it'll come to the states and europe in the near future. Otherwise, I do one-offs in a bunch of Canadian shows and the occasional US Movie of the week. Whee.

Good topic....

I guess I can say that I am living my dream...well on my way to the second one anyway. Originally I wanted to play baseball, but like all professional sports the chances of that are slim. So I accepted the fate of my athletic aspirations and turned to my second love...art! Specifically photography.

I am about to be 3 years removed from graduation and I have to say I am not displeased with the results so far. Granted, I knew that this lifestyle would be difficult and that I probably wouldnt make a great deal of money for a while but it has given me a number of freedoms that I wouldnt have had in a more stable profession. For the most part, I get to choose the days I work, the hours, the type of projects, etc and it has allowed me to do a number of different things. I teach at a local college, work for a professional archetectural photographer doing assisting and retouching, work for a portrait studio part time doing anything from sports to weddings, participate in an art collective which shows at galleries occasionally and when I find the time I get to do my own commercial and fine art work too. Seems like I should have more money with all of that but it just nevers seems to materialize...lol (poor business skills on my part...still working on that)

Anyway, when I allow myself to daydream about where I want to end up, I imagine myself as a well respected and moderately well known (amongst peers anyway) educater, photographer an artist. I do hope to publish my own books, a monograph/retrospective...that kind of thing, down the line. I think that would be cool. What I have found is that I have virtually the rest of my life to realize these dreams. At a relatively young 28, I feel I am on the right path. I am not married and have no children (to speak of anyway ;) ) but I imagine when these two elements enter my life equation I may reevaluate the standard of success that I place upon myself. Until then I have to say I am happy and following my dream.

For those who cannot say the same for themselves I strongly urge them to pursue, at least in some way, their dreams. I know it can be difficult especially when one has an obligation to a family, but even commiting a couple hours a week to doing something you love can be invaluable to your overall happiness. Regret can be a terrible weight on ones self worth.

Again...good topic.

The $ thing: been doing my jewelry business for 10+ years. Self-employed. I sell at a wonderful outdoor art and craft festival from April to September along with 60 other vendors - we're like a family - then I semi-chill for the rest of the year. Since 2 years I'm also selling on eBay. The net income isn't huge, for eBay cost tons when you run 250+ auctions a week, but it's good bread and butter money for the winter. You can check out my eBay site at http://stores.ebay.com/Harmonia-Jewelry Not to sell you guys and girls anything, just so that you see what I do a bit. This is a fraction of the collection I'm running at my retail kiosk.

Do I love it? Hmm. I came to see beyond that. I love parts of it (designing new things, receiving new material, new cuts, etc.) but the thing is, to be successful in our project is not about doing what we love, but what has to be done! Some parts are less palatable, yet they have to be completed to! Along come 'success' so to speak.

The good thing about not worrying about $ (well, so to speak. Let's say not worry too much! ;) ) is that everything I do outside of my jewelry I do for pleasure, and as the years pass I stop confusing things. I like to do whatever I want without having to project a commercial dimension in it. The great thing is all the freedom for my hobbies, which is what I love to do

I don't think we have to do what we 'love' to earn a livinghood, IMO it's 2 different things, and if they chance to match, great! It's what we are that matters, not what we do. I try not to project my ego in my work. What I do is not what I am - it can be a reflection, but it's not the soul. It is simple to write this, it takes a lifetime to master.

Here in the Western World, where everyone is so obsessed about their jobs, work, and status, it's easy to overlook what really matters: good, caring relationships with people around us, physical and mental health, romance, cultivating the self and transcending everything petty in us, etc.

I'd be quite successful and probably wealthy if I hadn't discovered video games and marijuaña XD lol! Oh! Well, I leave that for other people, and enjoy my life in the meantime. Besides there are plenty of busy bees out there, sacrificing their lives on the altar of the work ethic..Wooot~! :P

Well, it wasn't really a part of my plan. I started out in college pre-med, didn't like the competitive nature of academics and the overly motivated creeps asking how I did on my organic chem tests. I got the opportunity to do some marine biology in the puget sound area, got published as an undergrad, but missed my landlock state and family. Worked at a high adventure bible camp for awhile, no money in that so I Worked at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed kids, but you can only play dad to 18 kids at a time for so long, went back to camp for a summer, got called to enter the seminary. Now I'm a preacher of the word baby WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Meh. It's a living. ;)

Last edited: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 9:49:22 AM

Somehow Memphis as a tank driving preacher conjures up images from Pale Rider .

"Preeeeeeecheeeeerrrrr!"

Lol! Rab, that is one of my favorite movies, nothing like a bad mamma jamma preacher with a good piece of hickory.