What would you do if you couldn't fail.

[GQguy]

As i'm getting ready to start my own business, finish flight school, move to the next level in my relationship...and get ready for grad school the fear of failure starts to creep in. It's scary venturing into the unknown. Very scary...but it feels good to be on my path. And I can't say there is much that I would do differently if I couldn't fail. I suppose the reality of failure makes these ventures worth doing.

How about you guys? Are you living life to it's fullest? Are you crippled by fear. Are you afraid like am?

GQ

 

[kurchatovium]

As i'm getting ready to start my own business, finish flight school, move to the next level in my relationship...and get ready for grad school the fear of failure starts to creep in. It's scary venturing into the unknown. Very scary...but it feels good to be on my path. And I can't say there is much that I would do differently if I couldn't fail. I suppose the reality of failure makes these ventures worth doing.

How about you guys? Are you living life to it's fullest? Are you crippled by fear. Are you afraid like am?

GQ

I am trying to start my own business as well, so the very best of luck to you in starting yours. Its a very hard thing to do. Suddenly you just cant blame the people in charge when things go wrong cause you are the person in charge. My decision was forced a bit as I needed to take care of my folks so in some ways in made it a little bit easier as it was a decision based on necessity.

As for fear I think thats normal. It would be more worrisome in some ways if you were not afraid cause the fear means you have a grasp on the realities of the situation. With that being said I think its good sometimes to go ahead and take a chance anyway. Especially when the potential rewards are great and I think having your own company is a very worthy goal.

 

[Scooterpiety]

I'm crawling out of my shell. It's a slow process but I think it'll be fulfilling.
Congrats, and good luck in all your endeavors.

 

[WorkInProgress]

I would be afraid if I had any sense. Being without a full-time job, I'm devoting my time to researching books to launch myself as an author, even knowing that my first couple of books aren't going to make me much. I'm racking up credit card debt, withdrawing from what little savings I have, and living in such a way that, if I don't either get a high-paying job or publish something brilliant in a few years, I'm screwed. But at the moment, I'm not worried in the least. I'm as carefree as ever, and if we met up, I'd gladly buy you a drink.

I'm curious, GQ Guy: What subject are you going to study in grad school? And will you be staying in Florida, or relocating?

 

[Mitchell]

GQ, first, let me wish you all the best in all your ventures.

Fear of failure is absolutely normal. This is coming from someone whose dream business failed. I've posted on here before how I was in an Amway like business called Market America from 2001 to 2004. Others were making a mint of money in the company. I had a lot of contacts, as a result of past business ventures like selling "How to" tapes, etc. Had I signed even one of those people to a contract, my business with Market America would have exploded. Unfortunately, it didnt happen, Market America didnt work as I'd hoped, and, after 2 plus years, I had to leave the company, when it began to make no sense to stay in.

In spite of this, I would still much rather work at my own business, then do a job. Since then, I've sold antiques with some success, and I'm preparing to embark on new ventures, once hopefully my mom stablizes, God willing.

The most important thing is to try to think positively. Put your best foot forward. Hopefully your plans will succeed for the current business you seek, but if not, try something else. The president of Market America used to tell us that he failed at many businesses before finding that company. Now he's a multimillionaire.

Good Luck to you. I wish you great success.

Mitch

 

[Bothersome]

I don't want to go on any ventures. I want to live an absolutely plain life, have a steady paycheck, and retire in 50 years.

Somehow I don't think it'll be that simple.

 

[Bohemianne]

I have learned that any endeavor you do in this world resolves by itself. But the sweetest accomplishment can only be felt if you are leading its successful journey.

 

[Flatfoot]

I feel like the two major things that are crippling--correction, THREE major things that are crippling me are time, money, and laziness. I'm working my butt off full-time in a now dual-income household, and going to school to take advantage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill's housing allowance (keeps us out of foreclosure! ). It's definitely stressful, not to mention that we're also trying to help other family with struggling finances (in the miniscule ways that we can.). A few years ago, I decided to learn how to create stained glass artwork--a skill I was always fascinated with that I hoped would also help me make some side cash from sold projects, but I have very little energy and motivation reserved to add to said creative outlet in a constructive manner. I barely have the personal initiative to complete homework until I'm racing against a deadline (assignment time limits make things interesting. j/k, kind of.). The degree I'm pursuing involves knowledge of the banking industry, but I don't see myself leaving my current job. I'm in a job where the benefits are based upon seniority over merit, meaning the longer I stay loyal, the better things are for me. I'd hate to start over someplace else at the bottom (especially when there's not much available, anyway!), and I don't like unnecessary change in employment (Too much moving around can cause you to shoot yourself in the foot as far as opportunities go.).

 

[GQguy]

I would be afraid if I had any sense. Being without a full-time job, I'm devoting my time to researching books to launch myself as an author, even knowing that my first couple of books aren't going to make me much. I'm racking up credit card debt, withdrawing from what little savings I have, and living in such a way that, if I don't either get a high-paying job or publish something brilliant in a few years, I'm screwed. But at the moment, I'm not worried in the least. I'm as carefree as ever, and if we met up, I'd gladly buy you a drink.

I'm curious, GQ Guy: What subject are you going to study in grad school? And will you be staying in Florida, or relocating?

The drinks would be on me. I'm looking into getting an MBA. The military requires us to get grad degrees before a certain rank and I think an MBA could serve me well(better) when my military career comes to a close. Florida is very temporary. This time next year they'll be moving me again. Most likely somewhere Midwest.

I'm curious about your books. What are you writing about? What is the process of publishing a book like?

GQ

 

[kis123]

The drinks would be on me. I'm looking into getting an MBA. The military requires us to get grad degrees before a certain rank and I think an MBA could serve me well(better) when my military career comes to a close.
GQ

I won't discourage you from going for your MBA because you're young and your options are much different than mine at present. Knowing what I know now I would've NEVER went for a Masters Degree, and certainly not a MBA. It has sat in the package it was mailed in for nearly 3 years. I can't even put it on a resume; no one ever calls back. Now that I've struggled with unemployment for so long, I've been classified as a displaced worker which when translated, means "too old and out of work too long."

Now after I stopped with the depression and pity parties about my plight, I started to realize I possess certain skills which once strengthened can help a lot of people. I went through a bad foreclosure situation in 2008-2009 that nearly gave me a nervous breakdown, but I'm still here, still have my home, and am poising myself to major remedy against the bank for what happened to me. There are times that I literally don't have two nickels to rub together but at the end of the day, I'd rather be where I am now with new knowledge and perspective over anything any job has ever given me.

In answer to your OP, I have fear.......lots of fear. I'm literally petrified of failure because I've never done anything on an entrepreneurial level ever. But I do it anyway; hell if I don't then who will?

 

[Leo tickles]

As somebody who gave up on life early and is now digging himself out of a hole, feelings of failure come up every now and then.

I started with no desire to work, go to school, own a car, drive a car, or even walk outside. Now, I'm studying books so I can take the GED test, my job is driving pizza around in my own car and I have a solid though small group of friends.

Yeah, I thought I was going to fuck something up while achieving that. But somebody had to do the right thing. And so far, the efforts that I have put in have paid back ten fold. Would I do it all again? Probably not. But will I keep going because I've made it this far? Sure. Maybe there is a better future out there. The day I find it, I'll let everybody know. 🙂

 

[GQguy]

I won't discourage you from going for your MBA because you're young and your options are much different than mine at present. Knowing what I know now I would've NEVER went for a Masters Degree, and certainly not a MBA. It has sat in the package it was mailed in for nearly 3 years. I can't even put it on a resume; no one ever calls back. Now that I've struggled with unemployment for so long, I've been classified as a displaced worker which when translated, means "too old and out of work too long."

Now after I stopped with the depression and pity parties about my plight, I started to realize I possess certain skills which once strengthened can help a lot of people. I went through a bad foreclosure situation in 2008-2009 that nearly gave me a nervous breakdown, but I'm still here, still have my home, and am poising myself to major remedy against the bank for what happened to me. There are times that I literally don't have two nickels to rub together but at the end of the day, I'd rather be where I am now with new knowledge and perspective over anything any job has ever given me.

In answer to your OP, I have fear.......lots of fear. I'm literally petrified of failure because I've never done anything on an entrepreneurial level ever. But I do it anyway; hell if I don't then who will?

Sometimes the degrees are just for filling in the blanks...you know? For my service branch it's an unofficial rule that they won't promote you if you don't have a masters degree. I feel that an MBA is better than the standard MS in whatever(aeronautical science). I've heard that MBA's don't have as much value as they used too. What has your experience been?

Sorry to get off track on my own thread.

 

[kis123]

Sometimes the degrees are just for filling in the blanks...you know? For my service branch it's an unofficial rule that they won't promote you if you don't have a masters degree. I feel that an MBA is better than the standard MS in whatever(aeronautical science). I've heard that MBA's don't have as much value as they used too. What has your experience been?

Sorry to get off track on my own thread.

It's your thread and you can do what you wanna'........

Seriously, if it were me, I'd get something to major in that I like. Do you like finance? Lots of numbers and meaningless math? Do you love Excel spreadsheets because they will be all you ever see in the field. What's wrong with aeronautical science? Do you like it? Would you want to become an expert and eventually a consultant? Find out what you'd love to do and focus your energies there.

I took the cop out because I didn't believe in myself. I should've gotten my masters in Healthcare or Public Administration. I come from a family of nurses and healthcare professionals. I'm no fan of the sciences, but I am pretty good at the administrative side of things even though I don't always like it.

You may be doing it for a long time so find something you love then become the specialist at it would be my best advice.

 

[kis123]

I don't want to go on any ventures. I want to live an absolutely plain life, have a steady paycheck, and retire in 50 years.

Somehow I don't think it'll be that simple.

You, sir, check your PM.........

 

[GQguy]

Aeronautical science would be the easiest MS to get while active duty. Do I love finance. No. My background is engineering. I feel as though having the MBA along with my BS in electrical engineering and my A.S. in fighter avionics along with my time as a combat pilot gives me many options for when my military career is over. It's more about options than really chasing a passion. I DID like the project management class I took as an undergrad and as a military officer management is my primary job. I have the entrepreneur bug so I feel an MBA along with my electronics expertise would serve me well in consolidating certain skills.

I was curious about your opinion on MBA's because ironically enough we read the "Critical Chain" by Eliyahu Goldratt which pretty much dogged the value of the MBA while touting his method as superior. So the question is are MBA's in demand in the real world. This I cannot answer conclusively....but seeing as I need a grad degree anyway I would think it would be the best bet for employment. Do you know otherwise? Anything I should research?

GQ

 

[kopfhorer]

I'm crawling out of my shell. It's a slow process but I think it'll be fulfilling.
...

You too, huh?

I've tried demolishing my own sometimes-seemingly-unbreakable shell with a (metaphorical) jackhammer, though sometimes it seems like a (again metaphorical) hammer and chisel carefully used is the best implement. Thus far I've put some substantial cracks into the damned thing. How soon will I have it in chunks ready to be trucked away? Film at 11.

Anyway, I wish you the best on your journey. And the same to everyone else embarking on a major life change.

 

[kis123]

Aeronautical science would be the easiest MS to get while active duty. Do I love finance. No. My background is engineering. I feel as though having the MBA along with my BS in electrical engineering and my A.S. in fighter avionics along with my time as a combat pilot gives me many options for when my military career is over. It's more about options than really chasing a passion. I DID like the project management class I took as an undergrad and as a military officer management is my primary job. I have the entrepreneur bug so I feel an MBA along with my electronics expertise would serve me well in consolidating certain skills.

I was curious about your opinion on MBA's because ironically enough we read the "Critical Chain" by Eliyahu Goldratt which pretty much dogged the value of the MBA while touting his method as superior. So the question is are MBA's in demand in the real world. This I cannot answer conclusively....but seeing as I need a grad degree anyway I would think it would be the best bet for employment. Do you know otherwise? Anything I should research?

GQ

I wrote a really phenominal reply to you about an hour ago and realized it never posted. I usually keep copies in case this system gets stupid but alas.........so you now get the aftermath.

Why not get the masters in Engineering with a minor in business? Or maybe go through a certificate program post Masters? Then you'd have the best of both worlds and if the military's footing the bill, you have all the time in the world to pursue it? You can create a niche for yourself; you can also take time to find out where your passion is and can balance the degree knowledge and your life experience.

The key to making it in this ecomomy is standing out; being different from your counterparts. A MBA is a dime a dozen now, but for those who can create a unique skill set along with that degree will be the ones who will survive and thrive.

 

[GQguy]

Ahh. I see what you're saying. I've thought about getting a grad degree in Engineering....but that route is unattractive for several reasons. One being that it's nearly impossible to find an accredited school that will give me an electrical engineering degree online. Two being that...it's freaking hard! And balancing a career...a military flying career no less would be very tough. Most guys take a two year break to go to school for engineering. And the third is that the pay wouldn't be good....compared to my military salary...or my potential pilot salary. The MBA's of a firm almost always make more than the engineers unfortunately. Mainly because engineers are seen as lacking leadership and communication skills. There's a bigger push to give undergrads those skills but by nature engineers aren't leaders. There will always be an MBA running engineers. Having an undergrad in engineering and the MBA shows that I can lead(my military command experience would actually help too) and speak the geek talk of an engineer. If I got an MSEE I'd start at the bottom of the engineering....or worse I couldn't get hired because I'd be in my 40's with no engineering experience. At least my military leadership would give me years of experience to back up an MBA. Oddly enough with a grad degree in MSEE and no engineering experience i'd expect to make as much as I do now. Lastly...I hated engineering school. It's given me some awesome tools and skills but i'm more a people person. I'd work as an engineer to survive but the satisfaction would be minimal. If the pay bested all other options though that's where I'd go.

I've always heard...study what you like...or what you have a passion in. I think that's BS. Make a list of the most in demand lucrative jobs/careers and pick one you like the most. What's great about this situation though is that by doing what you don't like for awhile you have the freedom to do what you do like in the future.

I guess the biggest question for me would be "what skills will be in demand and how will they be compensated for 10-15 years from now"?

 

[Jagermeistered]

Well, first-off - I have too give cheers to my friend, GQ!

You have an admiration(for Life); that should be admired!

My love for 'social'-education has dwindled down to disgust. I have been self-learning, since dropping from college(that was over seven years ago). I have studied in many areas: economics(history and theory), banking and finance, politics, psychology, sociology, and philosophy. I have found this system more progressive: their is no syllabus!

I can choose a field of research, and drain the ignorance dry! I read the essays and books by professionals and their opposition(for instance, capitalists versus socialists). This has allowed me to ever grow as an individualist. But, college(in it's present state), lacks that functionality. Most of the ideas expressed in the current Academia, are obsolete - or, false.

If I am a failure: it's my inability to Conform with the 'status quo'. Basically, my social utility is a damper, but my internal utility is forever growing.

 

[kurchatovium]

Ahh. I see what you're saying. I've thought about getting a grad degree in Engineering....but that route is unattractive for several reasons. One being that it's nearly impossible to find an accredited school that will give me an electrical engineering degree online. Two being that...it's freaking hard! And balancing a career...a military flying career no less would be very tough. Most guys take a two year break to go to school for engineering. And the third is that the pay wouldn't be good....compared to my military salary...or my potential pilot salary. The MBA's of a firm almost always make more than the engineers unfortunately. Mainly because engineers are seen as lacking leadership and communication skills. There's a bigger push to give undergrads those skills but by nature engineers aren't leaders. There will always be an MBA running engineers. Having an undergrad in engineering and the MBA shows that I can lead(my military command experience would actually help too) and speak the geek talk of an engineer. If I got an MSEE I'd start at the bottom of the engineering....or worse I couldn't get hired because I'd be in my 40's with no engineering experience. At least my military leadership would give me years of experience to back up an MBA. Oddly enough with a grad degree in MSEE and no engineering experience i'd expect to make as much as I do now. Lastly...I hated engineering school. It's given me some awesome tools and skills but i'm more a people person. I'd work as an engineer to survive but the satisfaction would be minimal. If the pay bested all other options though that's where I'd go.

I've always heard...study what you like...or what you have a passion in. I think that's BS. Make a list of the most in demand lucrative jobs/careers and pick one you like the most. What's great about this situation though is that by doing what you don't like for awhile you have the freedom to do what you do like in the future.

I guess the biggest question for me would be "what skills will be in demand and how will they be compensated for 10-15 years from now"?

I would agree that its important to have training in something that is actually in demand. I know a lot of people who got degrees in various subjects and then found they could not get a job latter on.

I am by no means a prophet, (My crystal ball broke years ago 😛 ) I always tend to look at things from how needed or essential they are. From that point of view I think the health care and medical industries will always be hot.