I’m sorry to hear that you’re not enjoying what you’re doing these days. It definitely makes it harder to work up enthusiasm and the self-motivation that’s necessary when working for yourself.

All of us, now and then, need a change. I know exactly how it feels.

Over a decade ago, I designed, programmed, and installed a database application for a private crafts school that handled all the administrative functions for classes, teachers, and registration. It took a long time to finish this, and most weeks I worked 100+ hours.

I was doing this using FoxPro for Macintosh, and it didn’t help a bit when Microsoft bought the company, created a new Visual FoxPro for Mac, and then destroyed the product.

So, I wasted a lot of time learning how to use Visual FoxPro for Mac, only to have to return to the older FoxPro version that worked great, before Microsoft became involved.

We finished the application and the school used it for almost 10 years before they hired someone to replace it. By that time, I’d left consulting and was a full-time caretaker for my Mom.

Just as I was finishing that database application, I was hired to help bring in the first Internet access to the three western-most counties of NC. I loved working with Bill and Bob Grove and the entire team at Grove Enterprises. But, this was a stressful situation that required a lot of learning, development, programming, and long hours. I am very happy to have been a part of the project, and I still use a dial-up account with the company that Grove sold the ISP to.

For many years, I loved programming and consulting, but now I’m permanently burned out on it. When I quit, I returned to blacksmithing and it was a pleasure to look around my smithy and not see anything that said, “Microsoft.”

When I became Mom’s full-time caretaker, I closed my smithing business and turned my attention to building an affiliate marketing business, which made it possible for me to keep her at home and care for her for over six years.

During that time, I was almost as home-bound as she was. I ran quick trips to town about once a week and had to be back within about two hours so I could help her. When I wasn’t caring for Mom, I would work on my computer in the next room. Slowly, over time, I was earning enough that I could stay home with her full-time. Without my marketing business, there is no way it would have been possible.

Unfortunately, earlier this month, her condition declined to the point that she had to be admitted to the hospital and now she’s in the nursing home and I don’t expect her to come back home, again.

I promised to keep her at home and out of the nursing home, and I can no longer fulfill that promise. I can’t express how bad that makes me feel. The last three weeks have been very hard for my whole family.

But, even on my darkest days, I can turn my attention to my marketing business and do something I truly love doing.

I love researching, promoting, and meeting people all around the world – people like you – who I never would have had the pleasure of meeting, otherwise.

I know how you feel about getting things going the way you want and then having all the rules change. It can be frustrating and dis-heartening.

Sometimes, it’s just a low period and we can work through it.

Other times, however, it is a time when we need to make changes to regain the enthusiasm of enjoying what we’re doing.

I hope you’re able to rediscover your enthusiasm and find something you’ll absolutely love doing.

By the way, I guess you’re at the end of winter and are looking forward to spring. I am so northern-hemisphere focused that I rarely think about the differences in the seasons.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Sire. I hope you find much better days in your near future.

Act on your dream!

JD

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