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Thursday, July 27, 2017

Ten Years Ago Today

Ten years ago today I ended my first long-term career to take a giant bold and blind leap into this, my second career, my dream life.

And I am so very glad I did.

I say "blind" as in my foot wasn't even in the door yet. I had no contacts in this new field. Thankfully my skills transferred over well from my previous career to my newest one, and, by the grace of God, my very first freelance copyediting gig (working for a traditional publishing house) landed me instant credibility.

For that I am eternally grateful, even though now I work directly and exclusively for Indie authors. To these prolific and professional creative individuals, I send out a heartfelt thank-you. You very special people know who you are.

I hate to even think of how today would look like had I not made that defining change.

Taking risks is a scary thing. Plus my road was not smooth. For instance, I took two different day jobs to make ends meet. The first one was early on in my new career and only for nine months, yet the second one lasted two full years but ended almost six years ago.

Looking back over this last decade (the Great Experiment of All Experiments, if you will), I may have worried at times, but I never questioned moving forward to this goal of self-employment, working as both a freelance editor and as an Indie author myself. Granted, I've never been as broke as I've been in my second career. However, I've never been as happy as I've been in my second career.

This year may see me as both happier and richer (in comparison to the other nine years). A milestone worth celebrating in itself.

So, for those of you on the fence for way-too-many years regarding that major career decision, I say, "Go for it!" and "Do you really want to continue on as you have and be there still in ten years?"

Many times in life you should draw lines in the sand.

Sometimes in life you should burn bridges, propelling you forward into the scary unknown where your dreams lay hidden.

It's your decision.

It's your life.

You choose.

"If your vocation isn’t a vacation, then quit, leap, change careers."

Denise Barker, Author, Blogger, Copy Editor
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