For some strange reason, probably a computer error, AARP magazine started appearing at our house a few years ago.  Being a procrastinator in areas like this, I’ve never gotten around to cancelling the subscription and the salon customers like reading it.  Reviewing the content before releasing it to the public is the prudent thing to do, so I glance through each issue.  If you believe anything you’ve read up to this point, I would like to talk with you about a fabulous investment opportunity that I have for you.

There was an article in the latest issue about people “reinventing” themselves.  The gist of the piece was that people who had professions that they may or may not have been overjoyed about are now doing something that they’ve always wanted to do now that they have retired.  It was a very interesting article and as I read it, a few things came to mind.

I have been extremely fortunate to have reinvented myself several times in my life.  That wasn’t a term that was used to describe these events, but is actually pretty accurate.  Each time was a reinvention.  There are people that do the same thing for their whole life.  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.  In fact a person’s life is their life and nobody else has any business judging them.  There are others who make changes for economic reasons and end up doing different things but for a reason that usually doesn’t bring much satisfaction.  Don’t get me wrong.  Money is important, but being unhappy in a job that pays a lot of money can be a miserable existence.  We all think that if we lose whatever we’ve grown comfortable with, our world will come crashing down.  The reality is that after a short time of struggle, life settles in again and we move on.  The struggle part was left out of the article.

Every time I’ve moved into a new area in my life, there’s been fear.  When I started my parking lot line marking business, there was little competition and I envisioned every parking lot in the area as dollars in my checking account.  Going from parking lot to parking lot, it turned out that all the owners were very interested in getting the winter sand swept up and had no interest in painting the lines.  So I started selling sweeping without owning a sweeper.  That was scary, but it all worked out.

When I went to corporate America, I worried that I wouldn’t adapt well to the corporate climate.  I missed out on more than one promotion because of me being me, but overall I did very well and enjoyed what I did.

Now I find myself in the reinventing mode again and again it is a little scary.  I love observing people and seeing how they react to certain situations and in doing that it occurred to me that there was an opportunity to share my experience in customer service, coming from the customer, with small businesses that wanted to keep more of their money and run a little smoother.  Just like all the parking lots back in the 1980s, I saw potential everywhere.  I was certain that there would be so many people beating down my door to learn how to improve their customer service and make more money that I would be overwhelmed.  Wrong again.

Investing in better customer service seems to take a back seat to new vehicles and equipment or expanded inventory or additional employees.  So the self-questioning begins.  “Maybe there’s no interest.”  “Maybe the timing isn’t right.”  “Maybe they don’t like what I have to say.” “Maybe I’m not connecting with them.”  That all comes from fear and being out of a comfort zone.  So if you’re thinking of re-inventing yourself, DO IT!  Find what you’re passionate about and dive in.  Just don’t be surprised when the discomfort sets in.  I’m fortunate that I have a mentor and a group of wonderful supporters thwho at help me on this journey.  You should not consider going it alone.  When that self-doubt creeps in, you’re going to want lots of support.  Remember, life is not fair and life is not unfair.  Life is life and it’s what you make it. Make yours fun and rewarding.

Bill Packard lives in Union and is the founder of BPackard.com.  He is a speaker, author, small business coach and consultant.