What to 'do' for me?

Well, let's see. I need to get busy doing something. Now just what will that be? It's kind of intimidating. I've been out of the traditional workforce for a long time. Prior to my 15 years as a mom and homeschooler, I worked for 15 years in the television industry and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But it is so 'all consuming' that I don't think I'm ready to commit the time I know it will demand. I still have teenagers, you know! So, what else? They say 'If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life'. So, what do I love doing?

I've had an at home business since 2000 as an independent consultant for Mary Kay and I've enjoyed it. I love the company and its philosophy and the people that I've worked with are all amazing women, but I haven't taken the business to it's next level. I seem to have peaked with it for now and am happy with my business were it is. But I need something else... so how do I figure out what that is?

I consider getting a simple job that I don't have to put much thought into, but would get me out of the house. I even interview with a car dealership for a position as a receptionist. I am so glad that they didn't call to hire me.

To narrow down 'what I love' doing I decide to think about what has brought me happiness. I have so loved my homeschooling experience so, that has to be at the top of the list. Of course, part of that love is because it directly affected the lives of my children, but I also enjoyed the part that was making a difference in another's life. The other activity I have enjoyed is web design. I just dabbled in it for non-profits and for friends, but I need to consider that I enjoyed the process of the design and also the opportunity to be in an environment that changes so quickly that you are always in the position of learning more. With that in mind, I enter the cyber world of Craigslist to see what employment opportunities out there are related to these interests.

On Craigslist I find an ad for a web-related position at Princess Cruise Lines that I apply for. And I find an ad for a Behavior Therapist for Autistc children that I also apply for. Now, these are two very different types of positions, but they each fit my criteria for 'doing what I love'. Obviously, though, I cannot supply each position with the same resume, so I create individual resumes for each one. Which brings up another intimadating part of all this... I haven't had a resume in a couple of decades. What do I put on it! I learned from my years in television that there is no need to put dates on your resume; just experience, education and volunteer work. I also remember to keep it simple. A single page will do and include an objective that fits with the position that is being applied for. Well, I must have done something right because I heard back about the Behavior Therapist position within the week, and after an interview and another week of waiting, I got the job and I'm happy to say, a year later, I still love it!

I am a spiritual person and so I feel that this whole path was divinely orchestrated because it has all turned out so perfectly. My previous experience with special-needs children was working with Special Olympics in my late teens and early twenties and then again when my daughters earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award with a service project at Special Olympics. The employer I work for has a wonderful philosophy of life and I feel appreciated and I appreciate them. And, funny enough, when I was presented with the opportunity to meet the owner of the company, I find out that he and his wife homeschool their children. Upon further conversation in this, I discover that I know his wife from a few years back. She and I had met and exchanged emails on a few occasions. What a small world.

~Debbie in So. Cal.