Reinventing Yourself Involves Commitment

So what do you do when you find out after 30 years of doing the same thing, day after day, you just don’t want to do it anymore?

For me, it’s accounting – seems like I’ve done it all my life – getting kinda sick of numbers – debits and credits, credits and debits.

Step one:

Take a new step toward making a living: For me – Enroll in an MBA program. For you – Enroll somewhere – you cannot reinvent yourself without education. You are where you are because it’s what you know. If you want to do something else, you need to learn something new. Take a class! I set a goal in place – I decided that I want something that doesn’t make me get up and go to work 9-5 – Something that is telecommuting and portable so that we can move to the Seattle area upon retirement. Since I completed my BBA through an online program, I started looking at teaching online. This requires an MBA, hence the MBA program.

My research only required me to find an online program (accredited) and start attending classes. I am attending the same school where I completed my BBA. No other steps toward online teaching can be made until I finish the Master’s degree.

Step two:

Take a new step toward doing something you enjoy: For me – This is Writing. For you – It might be something different altogether, learn about birds, flowers, gardening, animal rights… – something that really trips your trigger.

I wrote my first manuscript last year and am now in the rewrite/edit process. I hope to begin querying by the fall with the hopes of landing an agent who is confident that they can sell my work to a publisher. I don’t just want ‘an agent.’ I want one who finds himself or herself as passionate about my work as I am. To me, it is an important message and I need an agent who will see it in the same light.

My research included joining writer’s forums. There are many online that will help you find the information that you need. The key indicator for a good agent or publisher is that money flows to the writer in traditional publishing, not from the writer. Be prepared to research, research and research any agent or publisher you consider. Not that there is anything wrong with self-publishing, if that is what you want to do. But if you do that, retain your rights – there are smart ways to do it. Do your homework. If you just want to see your name in print – decide that is what you want and don’t expect a miracle from a self- or vanity-publisher.

Reading the forums was only the beginning. I also interact with other writers. I write inspirational articles, so I was excited to find several online networks of inspirational writers – great folks that will test your ability to write based upon a one-word or one-phrase prompt and to meet a deadline.

Whether you like it or not, deadlines are part of assignments. If you don’t meet the deadline, you won’t get paid… Much like your day job.

So, one nonfiction manuscript in the edit stage, two fiction works in progress – now I’ve registered for three different conferences this year and I’m considering one more. The more I learn, the less I know.

Step three:

Don’t give up – When I finish my MBA program, I hope to have two options, one that will pay the bills, one that will really trip my trigger.

Who said reinventing yourself was easy? Or fast?

By: Michael Joshua

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