2013 … Trading Machines for People

Pull the plug. Cut the cord. Call it quits. Out with the old, in with the new …

You can describe the process of letting go in many ways. Like when you end unfulfilling relationships … send your adult children out into the “real world” … close doors on a failed business opportunity disguised as a “life lesson” … and (hopefully) soon for me, walk away from a 20+ year career that no longer excites me.

Frankly, I can’t take it anymore. Call me a disgruntled employee. But not the kind you’re used to hearing about.

Because you won’t find me bashing my employer. You could even say I’m one of their biggest fans.

There’s a simple reason for that. Because I “get” what it’s like to be a business owner. They start out financially strapped … take risks bringing a product or service to market … and are challenged with building and sustaining relationships with clients.

No. I’m not fed up with my employer. I’m just fed up with being an employee … period.

Tired of the anxiety of working part-time hours … making part-time income … wondering when they’ll call me back after laying me off, if at all … or working in an industry of mindless, unemotional, uninspiring machinery.

You see, I started my adult life in love with engineering. I enjoyed discovering how things work … and, why they quit working. Designing was fun. Problem-solving even more fun.

But now, I spend barely a fourth of my time in creative mode … designing parts, machines, or systems. The rest … I’m not really sure what you’d call it. Other than boring … uninspiring … lacking purpose … unproductive. Or as some call it … administrative garbage.

Maybe you can relate.

Yet, my life’s true purpose burned inside me for years. As it turns out … I simply want more “people” time.

You see, I grew up with 10 brothers and sisters. As a young adult, I spent countless hours mentoring youngsters. I devoured a lot of materials on understanding human nature. And more recently … enjoying my time raising a family.

I realize now, I’d rather help “design” people, than machines. By showing them ways to enjoy life more.

Like many, I’ve dreamed of writing creatively since I was a kid. And so, I dabbled in writing stories and articles for children.

It was an awesome stepping stone — and something I’ll return to eventually. But family health and financial matters reared their ugly head. And I felt forced to consider something more lucrative, and with faster turnaround.

Enter copywriting … a chance to help businesses introduce their life-changing products and services … and influence others to use them to better their lives.

Now, three years into my diligent study of marketing and copywriting, I’m poised stronger than ever to turn in my resignation at work. 2013 is MY year to “throw in the towel” on designing machines, and focus on helping people design better lives.

And I’ll never again look back.