Calling All Dreamers - How Did You Break Out Of The 9-5 Rat Race?

My original goal out of college was to do graphic design. That proved to be really challenging and I after a few "Here and there" jobs, I became a cop. It is not for everyone but it is one of the best decisions I made in my life.

I work with great people, get great benefits (as most government positions) and make more than enough $ for me and my family. My position requires 40 hrs a week but I can get an extra 10-15 hrs in overtime a week. Plenty of vacation, sick and holiday time.

It can be a really challenging job at times but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Good luck!

 

Everything on a long enough timeline can be challenging. The best thing you can do is make the best of everyday and try EVERYTHING you think you might like. Then, someday one thing will click and shazam....That male stripper job opens up and you can go dancing for dollas son!

 

OP, I hope you are enjoying the feedback. Great post idea. You've unleashed something.

 

Something to consider also at least in my state, as an owner you're not eligible for workers comp.

If I get hurt on the job, as a stockholder, I'm SOL. Medical insurance is prohibitively expensive for us, even with Obamacare, so neither of us are insured. Out of pocket costs for a year (for me) are significantly less than a months premiums with the cheapest of plans.

Food for fought. Paying your own insurance premiums as a small business owner is costly and not always a possibility.

 

I knew from a young age what I wanted to do, and studied/worked hard at learning every angle of the craft. I often work 13-16 hour days, sometimes 7 days a week. I get no benefits, no vacation time, no sick pay, no nothing. Rarely is it a job, though, as I wake up in a new part of the world often, new people, new experiences. I can get anything I want on almost a moment's notice while having someone pay me to do it. Just focus on what you enjoyed as a child, and see if you can make a living out of it. If passion drives you then it won't ever feel like work and you'll find a way to increase the monetary flow. Good luck!

 

That's the way you do it.money for nothin and the chicks for free

 

I stumbled upon this thread and I'm in the same situation as a lot of folks here it seems. I'm a graphic designer (thus the quote). I'm turning 34 next month and have stumbled my way through a few career paths as well. I originally went to university for engineering, hated it and left. Then I found graphic design and went to school for that and had a decent run of work after. Eventually I got downsized and became dejected with it all so I apprenticed as an electrician for a year before an off-the-job back injury finished that.

So I found my way back to graphic design with a fresh passion for it, only to get downsized again a few months ago. I was there 4 years, pay was great but a lot of the people were idiots. They were billing my time at $150/hour while I ended up with only about $28/hour of that after taxes. My plan had always been to round up the big city career experience and then move closer to my hometown to start my own business. So with that series of timing here I am ... moved back to the hometown (for now), registered the business, designed the logo, working on the web site right now, etc. So, fingers crossed!

I'll probably find a regular job that I don't hate in the meantime because I doubt the revenue will just come flooding in. I'm a handy guy so my options are varied.

The graphic design industry is fickle. I wouldn't recommend it to most. Most companies out there believe it's a minimum wage job and there are enough people out there willing to take it because they're not very good at it. So if any other business owners here need a designer, let me know! Haha.

 

I'm 3rd gen carpenter. State certified contractor. self employed home builder from 1993 - 2013. I'm currently employed by a huge commercial developer. I miss the freedom self employment offers. Government regulations have all but killed the small home builder. Unless you are DR Horton or Centex, it is hard to profit.
I'm currently making changes that will afford me to do WTF I want at 56 years old. not hurting, but not rich either.
Some days I feel - effit, I'm gonna go sell cars.

 

Tools and building supplies @ HD. They always need talent.

 

My talents are worth more than 10 bux an hour

 

No doubt. I was just suggesting a post retirement place to make some easy pin money. Not to mention their employee stock plan isn't bad, just to pad up the golden years a bit.

Speaking of which, Publix stock plan (privately held) is amazing. Know a few well heeled folk who took full advantage of a career at Publix. One meat manager who cashed out at well over $1m.

Another thought is medium to higher end home remodeling or repair. Just to the threshold of needing permits, but not over. I used a guy to refresh my 45 yo house who could do 95% of everything, using me and a couple friends to help with heavy stuff, cleanup, etc. He did a fantastic job. Has more work than he can shake a stick at with people waiting for him to have free time.

 

from funny pic thread... sums it up, lol

 

yeah. I have a friend who does 6figures easy in remodel. never pulls permit. does a lot of condo work here.
I'm a new construction junkie. I love the ground up process. just the process doesn't love me back anymore.

 

Wow!

Reading through all four pages of this thread, lots of advice, first hand experience, commiserating, and inspiration. I appreciate everyone's input and time. Its a good feeling to your know alone!

Seems like this thread hit a niche with people!

 

That's because I don't want some BS crap to do forever.... A low stress high paying job is what I want...

 

Never worked good with bosses, but I am a people person. I have my own training/safety and consulting business dealing with trees and forestry. In 2008 started and opened an industrial rope access (climbing) store selling everything for climbing, rigging and safety gear - work, recreation and rescue. Second store opened in Tulsa 2 years ago. Only places you can physically try and buy this kinda stuff, so it's been a great success. I won't ever be "rich", but I don't have any debt (except inventory - no loans), vehicles paid for, got 40 recreational acres and a cabin, and the family's happy and healthy.

Do what you're good at in an industry you love and good things will happen. No regrets quitting the rat race.

 

I can say that I have been thru this before just like most people. I went to school for mechanical engineering and had a great job all thru school. I was just planning on staying there after school but 6 weeks before graduating the company downsized and laid off most of the younger/ newer people. I really didnt have a "second" plan laid out. I ended up with alot of interviews and everyone kept say "thanks for applying but you need more experience." So for the last few years I have been doing just that, getting the experience that all of these companies want you to have but never really give you a chance to get. Yeah I have changed jobs a few times but that is what I have had to do to get to the next stop. This past summer I got a job as a surveyor with a DOT and it has been awesome. Its not something that I thought I would like or wanted to do but its something that I really think I could do for the rest of my career. I learned that sometimes you have to look outside you comfort zone and take a chance on a job and you might find that it is something that you will like.

 

TTT

bidirectional cascaded communications.

This is what I am trying to get away from. I want nothing more to do with bidirectional cascaded communications or the people who think such phrases are useful or good.

I'd like to hear more from people around 50ish who shifted careers when it seemed extremely challenging to do so.

 

Very interesting thread! I guess I am in the "prime" mid life crisis sector......52 right now. I am so burned out in the working world! I have had jobs I really enjoyed, but got royally screwed over and fired twice. I did not do anything wrong by any stretch of the imagination, but wouldn't bow down to the politics and incompetence of supervisors. The most difficult aspect of obtaining a new job is age discrimination. Potential employers cannot legally discriminate on the basis of age, but you know they do. My current employment is woefully mismanaged and takes a mental and physical toll on me daily. It was just a means to an end to get insurance, pay bills and keep food on the table. It is apalling what the place gets away with, as far as blatant safety violations, defective equipment, etc. Hopefully I will hit on something that will be the right job for me. I long for the days when I actually enjoyed getting up and going to work, and the work day seemed to fly by.
Anyhow, best of luck to everyone in the same boat. Keep the faith and hopefully your (our) ship will come in