Run Free, Corporate Monkey! Run Free!

For the last fifteen years, I've been employed with a career transition and relocation assistance firm here in St. Louis. During this time, I've held a number of positions, such as resume writer, receptionist, career consultant, manager of consulting services, technology manager, manager of support services, and (most recently) Vice President of Marketing.

Whew!

Fifteen years… and for fifteen years I've known deep down in my heart that I wanted to do something else.

Don't get me wrong. I've no need to be modest when it comes to the work I've done over the years. I've kicked much ass. But I also put my dream of writing on hold for most of that time. Sure, I wrote, carving away an hour here or there when I could. In the end, though, I was treating my dream as a hobby. A couple of years ago, I decided to change that, and I started dedicating more time (and a lot of late nights) to my writing. It was a big adjustment for me, and it took a lot of getting used to. But it wasn't until I started treating my writing as a real  job that I started achieving some real success.

Now it's time for another change. Last week, I tendered my resignation at work. As of March 11 (my last day), I'll be a full-time writer.

That sound you just heard? That was me throwing up.

I'll admit, my nerves are doing their best to play havoc with my system. I think that's a good thing, though. I'll need that nervous energy. I'll need to channel it into productivity. Leaving a steady paycheck behind means that it's all on me. I've got to hustle if I'm going to keep myself supplied with beans and cornbread.

Is the timing right for me to do this? I dunno. What I do know is that I've waited all this time for the stars to align. If I wait for "perfect timing," I'll be twiddling my thumbs forever. Good or bad, it's time to take a chance.

As I embark on this journey, I want to thank all the friends who have offered their encouragement and support. I want to thank the editors and publishers who have taken a chance on my work.  I want to thank everyone who has bought one of my books or shook my hand at a convention. Most of all, I want to thank my wife and son, who are jumping into this adventure right along with me.

In the coming weeks, I'll be writing quite a bit about making the transition from corporate dancing monkey to full-time writer. The successes… the failures… the power plays… and the big mistakes–you'll be there right along with me. I'll have some more big announcements in the next few days, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, wish me luck!

Fifteen years gone by in the blink of an eye. Don't wait forever to follow your dreams, kids.