here's what I blogged today elsewhere- anyone have any advice

[fleabert]

for me? I am really unsure what direction to go in my life. Should I just get the boring quickie job and worry about this all later? Or go with my passions (options 1 and 2) and put off buying a house for a while longer? Or go with my current interest (option 3) and cross my fingers that A)I like it and B)I make enough money to pay off my debt?


so I am terrible about blogging. I'd never make it professionally at this- thank god I know what I want to do with my life, ha!

speaking of that...I am considering what to do with my time- those who know me know that I never finished college- lots of reasons for that, moving a lot in the last 8 years is part, as is indecision- so anyway, I need to find something that makes a decent wage, is somewhat quick to get into, and I can enjoy long enough to keep at it for several years.

I loved, absolutely loved, being a doula. But, since it has been several years since I had a client, I feel more education is in order before plunging in again. SF is a very competitive market, and I just don't know if I can handle being on call 24/7 again. It was emotionally and physically exhausting.


I really enjoyed massage therapy and the teacher I had in Sacramento. If I want to practice here, I need at least 400 more hours. That is a lot. The time it would take to go back to school and get on with a spa is a bit overwhelming, not to mention the cost- which is considerable. Finding a reputable school with a teacher is daunting as well, I doubt I will find a teacher as good as the one I had in Sac. :-( It is also a very physically demanding job if it is done full time- 6-8 1hour massages a day is scary. I did four in one day and it put me on my ass. In time, I am sure it would be easier, but I don't know if that is in me at this time.

so, I am considering yet ANOTHER career path. Real Estate. The reasons are three:

1. Quick, relatively cheap entry into the field
2. I could be our agent when we buy a house in about a year, save lots of $
3. Decent income compared to working some silly retail job i would hate anyway We could be completely out of debt very quickly while still saving for a house.

That is where I am at today. I don't know if I should get an agent's license (fast and easy) or a mortgage broker's license (more $ and harder).

I love working with the public, and have a family history in real estate, so it has been on my mind for about a year. I think I could really enjoy it, and do pretty well. I have been told my whole life I could sell ice to Eskimos...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear fleabert......

All I can say is: Follow your heart!

I really can't help you here.......I wish I could, though....

:loveya: :hug:

[fleabert]

4. :-) wish I knew where my heart was these days...

I am all over the place with my feelings. Just want to find a path that isn't too rocky and solves some problems without creating too many new ones. thanks for the hug babe! :hug:

[BikeWriter]

2. Oh, Dear! Your post is like a bee's nest, Sweety...

Thoughts flying here and there in all directions. Should you decide Real Estate please do the easy route first. Get your feet wet and decide if it's what you want to do for a while.

[fleabert]

3. total bees nest!

that is the sound of a hammer hitting a nail my dear.

and that is what is going on in my head these days. I so don't know what to do. Add to those thoughts the grocery list and you can imagine how nuts I feel.

Easy route seems best to me as well, Thanks hon.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

5. I don't know what to say. Think it over and follow your heart.

:popcorn:

[fleabert]

8. Thanks Gugg!

:hug: enjoy the popcorn!

[hfojvt]

6. I had to google "doula"

and got sort of a "midwife, pre and post natal care for mothers".

If you can get the agent's license "fast and easy" then it will not hurt too much to try it.

I have two university degrees and not nearly as many options as you.

I did kinda like the pudding factory, but of course they would not hire me beyond a temp job. I never get to do what I like. Not for money at least.

[fleabert]

7. I forget that people might not know what a doula is...

I tend to sum it up as: "I do the coaching, not the catching." :-) Seeing a baby being born and a family created is amazing, but not lucrative. It never pays the bills, sadly.

fast and easy is the license part of real estate agent, as I understand it. But making a living is, of course, much harder. I appreciate your perspective, that is the direction I am leaning as well.

I am part of a family that values a degree more than anything else, so it is a source of shame that I never finished my formal education. I certainly understand that in this economy that it isn't a sure thing, it really sucks that you can't use yours to your advantage. I am extremely lucky that I can take passion into account in making this decision, and I sincerely appreciate the reality check. :hug:

We shall see where I am headed soon, I'll be starting the path tomorrow! Making calls and figuring things out further in the a.m. It's weird, a few hours ago, I was confused and scattered, and now I feel much better- after only talking with the dh and a few responses here. Thanks, really.

[billyskank]

9. Hi fleabert!

:hug:

Quick and easy sounds good, that way you haven't invested much of yourself and your resources if you find you don't like it.

:hi:

[fleabert]

10. Hi SkankyBill!

:rofl: I make myself giggle. :-)

I totally agree with you. I am off to bed and up early in the morning to get crackin' on my new path...or at least to learn if it is indeed as simple as it seems to get started! (bookstore here I come, and there are phone calls to make)

:hug:

[billyskank]

11. Your sig line makes me smile

every time I see it! :7

Good luck! :bounce:

[GalleryGod]

12. Good luck. I think it's a wee bit more difficult than you think

Especially in your home market (Northern Cali). Save the Book trip...talk to someone who allready HAS that job.

[fleabert]

13. on my list as well, just wish I knew more people in the area.

we just moved here, but I know the market is tough, what I meant is that getting the physical license is what is easy- compared to the other cert's and licenses needed for the other routes. I am aware of the competitive nature of the business and that there are many agents in the area, I am pretty confident in my ability to sell myself once I feel knowledgeable. Is that what you meant by harder than I think? Or is there more to getting a license than I have heard so far?

thanks for your thoughts, and love that painting!