Hello and welcome to my first ever post! I hope this will be interesting, informative and at times, a little funny. I am an old dog learning new tricks for a number of reasons:
- Document my Fresh Starts Journey
- Connect and identify with others possibly in the same state of mind or situation
- Explore and be open to opportunities outside my field of expertise and my comfortable “norm”
- Learn from others’ experiences, knowledge and abilities
- Provide my own assistance to others if ever needed
So, why Fresh Starts?
In June, 2023, I left a Sr. Level Human Resources Director job after over 20 years with my former company. While I have been in HR for over 30 years, I stayed with this wonderful company for many years and left on great terms. Even though I am not an employee anymore, I am still a customer and have many great friends and colleagues I call upon on a regular basis. In short, I still love and I am loyal to my former employer! They do great work for their customers (both internal and external) and give back tremendously to the community. I had a great position, good compensation/benefits and worked with amazing and wonderful people – so, why in the world would I leave? It is a simple answer from a complex situation. Simply stated – it was time. Complexly stated, and many may identify, here it is:
- The department went through a reorganization, and I was moved from my role to a new position
- While successful in that new role, and the people were wonderful, it was not a fit for me as I longed for my previous position within the company
- I began to have some health issues and work/life balance was non-existent
- My initial thought was to leave, take a short rest, and then apply my knowledge, experience and expertise to a role at another company
- So, with the support of my incredible wife, I took the risk and left
Here is what is happening:
- Competition for a new job in the field is fierce, but I can hold my own
- Getting past the gatekeeper to showcase skillsets is tough (I know, I am in HR)
- Our online world tends to limit personal interactions – it is difficult for decision makers to get to know the ME behind the paper (Resume, Bio, CV, Letter of Interest, Emails, etc.) and electronic forms
- Hiring companies see my previous level and automatically assume I am asking for a high-level position or compensation package
Here is what I have experienced and learned:
- I have rediscovered physical and mental health and I LIKE IT!
- I have become reacquainted with my wife and kids and I LIKE IT!
- I have been able to spend tons of time with my grandkids on a regular basis and I LIKE IT!
- I have been able to try new things and get professional and personal projects done and I LIKE IT!
- I have become more active in community and philanthropic activities, specifically battling pediatric cancer, and I LIKE IT!
- I have discovered that I am more than a job title and my identity is not dependent on my professional position and now I FINALLY GET IT!
This does not mean that I am no longer ambitions, but I am ambitious for new things…FRESH STARTS!
So here I am, a 55-year old grey haired guy who has tasted FREEDOM and now wants a lot more. But, the bills still need to get paid, right? So, while I am looking for that next opportunity, I have decided to try a few side things and maybe, just maybe, I can semi-retire and get paid while doing what I really want to do in life – become a professional grandpa!
In future posts, I will document my journey. I welcome you to come along for the ride. I’ll leave you, for now, with a thought:
“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”
―
Bonus – A Dad Joke:
Why did the scarecrow become a successful motivational speaker? He was outstanding in his field.
Okay, one more because it is lunchtime and I’m hungry:
What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
Fresh Starts are tough! I look forward to following you and seeing where you find opportunities. Maybe by following your journey, I will find inspiration of my own to better my life through those new opportunities.
Hey There – Thank you for visiting. I look forward to seeing where your journey takes you and hopefully learn a few things from you and others! I also hope to be a resource if needed.
I love that quote from Zig Ziglar. I we rememebr that, anything in life is possible!
Thank you, there is much wisdom in that quote! I appreciate your visit!
Hi Ernie,
Thank you for sharing, and welcome to the community of those who yearn for freedom. I identify with your story, and I hope you can find that additional income to help you enjoy the freedom you are experiencing. I have a grandson, and I am looking forward to spending time with him.
All the best in your journey
Ezequiel wells
Isn’t being a grandparent the best?!? I love my kids, but there is something about my kids’ kids that make me smile. Hey, let’s follow each other!
Ernie,
I am glad you’ve discovered you are more than your job. It is tuff to balance work, family and finances. I’m in a similar situation. and the same age. I know it is time for me to leave my job but can’t due to finances. Sometime you feel trapped and don’t know what to do.
For me this opportunity to do online marketing is a breath of fresh air. Like you, it give me hope and will allow me to have a more balanced life.
Thanks for sharing, it has made me think.
Have an awesome day.
CJ
CJ – Thank you for your heartfelt reply. I see that you get it from where I am coming from. May I follow your journey and learn from you? I am new to being out on my own, but with a community of people in my same situation, I just may not be alone. Best wishes and much success, friend!
Ernie, hats off to you and your “Fresh Start”! Your leap from a high-flying HR career into the blissful world of grandparenting and community service is like a blockbuster movie where the hero discovers the real treasure was at home all along. And those dad jokes? They’re the cherry on top of a delightful sundae.
Here’s to your being like a scarecrow, ‘outstanding in your field’ Keep those dad jokes and updates coming; your journey is as inspiring as it is entertaining!
P.S. I love being a grandparent (I wrote a book called The Grandad Handbook) and so have a great supply of grandad jokes if you want them :0)
Treasure! That is the correct word, my treasure is at home and in my heart. You may not know, but I have been following your impressive journey and noble cause to get your 40! How can I grad a copy of your Grandad Handbook???
You know there are a lot of internet marketers who are suffering from “Impostor Syndrome”.
Maybe you can also call it “Fake Spaghetti Syndrome”.
Thanks, and I hear you! Nice one and thanks for visiting!
Hi Earnie, Love your post! I can relate to some of your situation. I recently had to resign due to work and life balance and health due to the stress of the job. Infact I left my industry altogether to save myself. Hard choices you made but seems they are paying off and will continue to! look forward to seeing your success as you proceed in affiliate marketing!
It really was a tough choice, but I have not looked back…not even once. I do miss my previous work family, but I have loved spending more time with my REAL family! Cheers!!!
Well Ernie,
Welcome to one of your Fresh Starts – I LIKE IT!
I can totally relate to your department reorg and your seeking a new job in the field. And while one must continue to pay the bills, I think the day job situation is over-rated. Plus you gotta get beyond the bots before you reach a real person these days – right?
I have confidence that you will be able to semi-retire and get paid while doing it.
It is actually much thanks to you that I know this can be achieved. You first started this journey when you joined my list through a Facebook Lead Ad. Then it might have been something Dean Holland presented to you online that shouted out to you that this making money online thing is the real deal. Then when you signed up, your contribution was attributed to me as you were on my list first.
And it was the commission of your contribution that proved to me that I am in the right place at the right time.
I am truly looking forward to following your future posts as you document your journey.
Go Ernie Go!
Wow! I am honored you want to follow me, and I am so glad we originally connected without me even knowing it at the time. Best wishes to you, friend, and here is to our success!!!
Hi Ernie, thank you for your first post. I like it.
I can relate to the freedom part. I just touched financial freedom as a property investor, but it slipped away through higher interest rates on my mortgages.
Looks like you have a lot of success and plenty to be grateful for.
I support you on your new Fresh Start Journey and wish you to achieve full-time grandpa status.
Looking forward to your next post.
Tom
Thanks, Tom! Yes, the market and economy has us all “biting our nails,” huh? Thank you so much for your support and for your visit!
Ernie my friend you did it! You made a start and that is the most important step. Keep going step by step and I look forward to seeing what happens next. Well done. Thanks, Atif
Hello and thank you for your visit! I appreciate the encouragement and seeing what happens next as I progress. Cheers!