I Need Some Serious Direction In My Life

[mchenrycruiser]

I am 27 years old and live with my parents.I have never lived on my own.I just got fired from my job as a security guard.Security is all ive ever done.I have a misdameanor for steroid possesion on my record.It supposedly comes off in october.Ive never taken further education beyond high school.

SO basically,making 9 bucks an hour doesnt cut the mustard.If I had to list my interests it would be ,comedy,writing short funny stories,talking,public speaking [being funny] Basically if I could select my dream job,it would be to be a talk show host either on tv or radio.Ive tried my hand at stand up comedy but I dont live in an area where that is easy to do.and it doesnt pay lol.

So I have to be realistic in my pursuit of happyness.Right now I seek financial stability.aiming for a 4 year degree is pointless as I need money NOW.Ive been thinking about being a local truck driver or going to a school like ITT tech but Im just lost right now.Can anyone offer some guidance or suggestions?

[ZHereford]

Hi mchenrycruiser,

My advice would be to go after what you really want to do and so whatever it take to get there. Be prepared to pay your dues. You're not going to make big bucks in any field right off the bat. Whether it's business, show biz, comedy or whatever, you have to start at an entry level and work your way up. It's actually better that way because you learn your craft from the inside out.

If you go primarily for the big bucks, you ultimately waste your time because it's not where your heart and talents lie. If need be, work at something part-time to earn some money while you're establishing yourself. All the best to you!

[Stu]

my suggestion is WORK HARD. Figure out what you really want and get there. Remember that you can accomplish pretty much anything if you work hard enough for it.

[Pegasus]

Umm, I strongly suggest that you NOT go somewhere like ITT, especially if you are unsure of your direction. I recently graduated from a similar type of school for fast track graphic design training. After completing the program (which I sucked at), I decided it was the wrong direction. Now I have over $30,000 of debt to deal with. If you choose to further your education (which is a good idea when you are ready for it), go to a cheaper state school.

For the comedy stuff: maybe start with Toastmasters, join a community theater or improv group, gradually move on to recording yourself doing stand-up comedy. Then you can start marketing your talent!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Jeanne]

hi mchenrycruiser...

you have taken the first step in bringing about the change in your life that you desire... my suggestion to you is to begin writing your goals down...write down your ideal job, and describe it in absolute detail so that you feel like you have already got it.... and then begin taking appropriate action towards achieving your goal bit by bit. Focus on what you want to achieve in your life and make sure that your thoughts and actions are aligned with what you desire.

Best wishes
Jeanne

[Danyelle]

Originally Posted by mchenrycruiser

I am 27 years old and live with my parents.I have never lived on my own.I just got fired from my job as a security guard.Security is all ive ever done.I have a misdameanor for steroid possesion on my record.It supposedly comes off in october.Ive never taken further education beyond high school.

SO basically,making 9 bucks an hour doesnt cut the mustard.If I had to list my interests it would be ,comedy,writing short funny stories,talking,public speaking [being funny] Basically if I could select my dream job,it would be to be a talk show host either on tv or radio.Ive tried my hand at stand up comedy but I dont live in an area where that is easy to do.and it doesnt pay lol.

So I have to be realistic in my pursuit of happyness.Right now I seek financial stability.aiming for a 4 year degree is pointless as I need money NOW.Ive been thinking about being a local truck driver or going to a school like ITT tech but Im just lost right now.Can anyone offer some guidance or suggestions?

This is just one girls opinion (but a girl who is currently pursuing the entertainment industry as well)

- find a job that's flexible, where u can use your personality skills and make more money: waiter, bartender

- continue the standup... simply because it gives you a bit of exposure, and experience in front of crowds (which is priceless)

- take an acting class specifically for hosting if you can find one in your area.
(if u cant, buy all the books on the topic you can find)

- write as much as you can - there are places online you can submit to and get a lil $ here and there. craigslist has wriitng gigs listed too

- since you'll likely be doing waiter/bartender work @ night, start taking classes (at a college, not ITT) during the day

BUT FIRST

sit down and really think about your life and your goals and where you want to be versus where you are. make sure you do what you feel deep down in your heart is the right thing for YOU.

BEST OF LUCK!!!!

[mchenrycruiser]

Originally Posted by Pegasus

Umm, I strongly suggest that you NOT go somewhere like ITT, especially if you are unsure of your direction. I recently graduated from a similar type of school for fast track graphic design training. After completing the program (which I sucked at), I decided it was the wrong direction. Now I have over $30,000 of debt to deal with. If you choose to further your education (which is a good idea when you are ready for it), go to a cheaper state school.

For the comedy stuff: maybe start with Toastmasters, join a community theater or improv group, gradually move on to recording yourself doing stand-up comedy. Then you can start marketing your talent!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

so since deciding graphic design wasnt for you, what are you gonna do??

[mchenrycruiser]

Originally Posted by Danyelle

This is just one girls opinion (but a girl who is currently pursuing the entertainment industry as well)

- find a job that's flexible, where u can use your personality skills and make more money: waiter, bartender

- continue the standup... simply because it gives you a bit of exposure, and experience in front of crowds (which is priceless)

- take an acting class specifically for hosting if you can find one in your area.
(if u cant, buy all the books on the topic you can find)

- write as much as you can - there are places online you can submit to and get a lil $ here and there. craigslist has wriitng gigs listed too

- since you'll likely be doing waiter/bartender work @ night, start taking classes (at a college, not ITT) during the day

BUT FIRST

sit down and really think about your life and your goals and where you want to be versus where you are. make sure you do what you feel deep down in your heart is the right thing for YOU.

BEST OF LUCK!!!!

part of me feels too old to follow a silly dream with almost zero chance of success.I need to make enough money to get out on my own for right now.Thats the first step.

[Danyelle]

Originally Posted by mchenrycruiser

part of me feels too old to follow a silly dream with almost zero chance of success.I need to make enough money to get out on my own for right now.Thats the first step.

OH! Well if you feel it's a silly dream then definitely don't go for it. I thought it was your passion.
As for the age thing, that is irrelevant. There are tons of stories of people who start out in their 40's to gain success in the entertainment industry. We only feel too old or too young or too anything when we compare ourselves to others. You may want to try to avoid doing that. You'll likely feel better about yourself that way.

[mchenrycruiser]

Originally Posted by Danyelle

OH! Well if you feel it's a silly dream then definitely don't go for it. I thought it was your passion.
As for the age thing, that is irrelevant. There are tons of stories of people who start out in their 40's to gain success in the entertainment industry. We only feel too old or too young or too anything when we compare ourselves to others. You may want to try to avoid doing that. You'll likely feel better about yourself that way.

I DO NOT EFFIN have the luxury of doing something im passionate about!I CANNOT EFFIN get a job as a bartender or waiter....... I am not attractive enough to get those jobs plus I live in an area where there are not that many of those jobs anyways.

I need someone to tell me what to do and not schooling that will take years,I need something right now.

[Danyelle]

Originally Posted by mchenrycruiser

I DO NOT EFFIN have the luxury of doing something im passionate about!I CANNOT EFFIN get a job as a bartender or waiter....... I am not attractive enough to get those jobs plus I live in an area where there are not that many of those jobs anyways.

I need someone to tell me what to do and not schooling that will take years,I need something right now.

Wow, there seems to be a lot of negative stuff at work within you.

A nasty attitude is not the way to get someone to 'tell you what to do' it will likely lead someone to tell you where you can go.

Something you could do right now is get off the computer and go apply to jobs at local places near you. That would solve your immediate need for a job, but won't go any further in helping you develop as a person.

I feel that if you don't change your thinking you'll end up with another go-nowhere security job and come back online to this site or one like it at age 37 asking for someone else to 'tell you what to do'

That would be unfortunate.

Some general ideas for ya, hopefully one or many will resonate with you and you'll take action:

- brainstorm what you're good at, enjoy doing, jobs you'd enjoy and research ways to get into them

- read: Goals! by Brian Tracy and Awaken The Giant Within by Anthony Robbins

- start an exercise program and start eating better and drinking tons of water.

- DECIDE to take control of your life

- think about where you want to be in a year, and list the steps you'd need to take to get there

I found in my personal life experience that once I stopped whining about what i didn't have, couldn't do, or what would be too hard, too long, hopeless, useless etc...and decided to take action, everything seemed to get so much easier and successes kept on coming.

Best of luck to ya