There have been so many employment opportunities I let pass. I worked for large companies where promotions were reachable. I have worked for myself in a business that had chances to become big, but there have been potential openings in other areas of employment I pushed aside. Most of these roles were presented to me 20 to 25 years ago but I still wonder… what if? If I had of perused these lines of work, who knows where I would ended up. Most likely senior, well paying, professional rolls that I let slip through my fingers. I look back now and not only would these positions have been be a happy job for me there would have been good coin involved. These were positions in the supermarket industry where I made it to the fresh produce manager, where I took on big responsibilities and I look back, I could have made it to area manager or higher.
I became sick and was unable to take on these rolls. It was at this stage that everything fell apart. I was in and out of hospital while pushing my duties as a produce manager to the side. I was demoted to night fill where I was stacking shells and this was just the position I was given which meant I was one point away of being fired. I resigned. I was put on a disability pension and all of this stress was alleviated.
My next job was for a large produce farm. Same story here. Had I played my cards right I could have climbed the ladder. I worked there for six months before get demoted and fired. Another lost opportunity. I even did most of my pre-apprentice course in carpentry so I could work with my dad and brother as a builder. I had been around building my whole life and I hated it. I did this course to make others happy. Not for me! I left the course half way through.
Back in art school where I gained my diploma in graphic design & visual communications I found my niche. I left with the skills to take on a web and print design business working under my own rules. I found work for some big companies and was making a good name for myself. I worked for a big architectural firm, an ongoing job working for a big real estate company plus for many other smaller businesses. I was at home with the design side of things where I could do whatever was needed behind the computer screen but when it came to having phone calls and presenting myself for meetings with clients, this is where things fell apart. My anxiety was too great. This and I was spending half my time in hospital. I let this business fall apart. Once again, I could have built a successful living from this business but some detrimental elements took over. These were out of my hands.
Today I play the roll of a visual artist. I sell my art to pay the bills and I am often able to put a little aside to savings, or I pay my rent in advance. No bosses, no deadlines, I’m my own boss without clients chasing me down. I wouldn’t have it any other way!