I Have Always Worked For Myself

I've done both and working for myself is far superior in every way Currently I do health and wellness mentoring for boomers and above and love it. The people that want to improve their lives are the ones with the best attitude and a joy to work with. You'll never find that in an 8-5 office job.

Ur an inspiration & a very, very wealthy man! U have a wife & a son, what more could anyone ask for...

Amazing what we can do when it's for the ones we cherish.

My 21 year old son is sharp as a tack, hard working, going to university part time. On one hand he feels pressure to be part of the uber competitive rat pack, to have the corner office, company car, big expense account, but on the other I think he is getting to the point when he understands when I've encouraged him to find his loves in life, and make that his career. He loves history, loves working with his hands, has been doing a bit of gunsmithing on his own for almost five years; he made head off to gunsmithing school or get his degree and enter US Homeland Security; time will tell. I've always believed someone to be a success in life, if they wake up each day grateful for another day, and looking forward to a job that gives them satisfaction.

It sounds like you're a success, Alvin - cheers!

Very admirable

I work for myself too. It didn't start out that way, but I hated office work and decided to make a career change when I was 34 years old. I am now 68 and still going strong. I totally understand what you mean by job satisfaction.

Was very happy to hear this story! My husband owns his own business and boy, you are right, when you said it is hard to keep one's head above water. He stays in a state of worry. It almost got him in 1999. He had to have quadruple by-pass heart surgery. He had hypertension and we did not know it. He is on meds and sees a heart doc and kidney doc regularly. I am soooo glad he made it. I had to retire and I don't make demands or spend much money. We eat out perhaps once a week. He needs a break. I make sure we eat together at lunch, even if it's a hotdog. I miss being there, but so much in law has changed since I was there. It is ever changing and if you don't keep up, you won't know how to do things. And that's a big loss. Hey, the other day I asked you if there were snakes in Scotland? I hear there are none in Ireland. I know there are Puff Adders in England and a lot of Grass Snakes, but what about Scotland?

Thank you Mymy

Thank you for your comments Jac.......

I hated working on cars , but would spend day after fixing my truck.

Hi Alvin



Good on you! I've always thought that we have got to enjoy what we do for work. It doesn't have to make us rich, just comfortable and happy. My husband has a licence to drive trucks, road trains and dangerous goods vehicles...and he's both incredibly good at it and enjoys doing so but now only on rare occasions. He worked in management at a trucking company for over 20 years instead, driving for testing etc. Five years ago, he gave that up and worked on buses for a while and 3 years ago started a car mechanics business. He and his partner are doing very well indeed but it's really wearing him out physically. Even though he has realised he needs to get into better shape to deal with the rigours of his job, I feel it's still taking too great a toll on his body. He turns 50 this year and I do wonder why he decided to get back on the tools! I would much rather see him building a trucking business as I know that he would be absolutely in his element. He actually started as a diesel mechanic and if he was going to be fixing anything....this should be it. Cars are not of great interest to him at all. I have no idea how to convince him.... We live in Australia and even though I don't want to see him away from home for weeks at a time...I wonder if he would be happier. He's like a bear with a sore head now... he really hates working on cars even though it is working out financially.

great story...

That is so wonderful that you feel that way!



All the best,enjoy!

Hi Alvin, what a great, positive story. Well done you! I think sharing this with young men today is vital. Today's world is tough on the job front, with many youngsters not given a fair chance to shine while earning a decent liveable salary. Your story may encourage them to take all their ambition, drive and talent and try to make it on their own, and in doing so derive great satisfaction and pride! We've encouraged our 3 sons to do what they enjoy, and not chase the money. However they must recognise their worth and talent and demand recompense. Great story! X@

Yes Shep you are right, and fortunately, I did have a very supportive wife.

I'm going to show this to #2 Son. He wants to run his own business. I don't say much because my husband had his own business and we definitely had our ups and downs. The downs were really tough for us too. I always thought, I wouldn't like to see my sons go through the struggles we did, but that is the direction both of them lean towards. I also worry about the woman they marry. You have to be a very strong, determined, supportive wife under these circumstances when you hit hard times.

Alvin I am so impressed...I have always worked for other people and have not come near the job satisfaction you have...may have loved many of my jobs but not so much office politics.

Good for you for working hard and enjoying it and knowing that lots of money isn't the key to contentment. :)

You are one happy turkey, and I comment you for a good life style. Share your happiness with people and show the young one what it take to be successful and satisfied. For example, my step dad was in the Army corp. of engineers automotive mechanic. He showed me many things about fixing cars and trucks, but since his death, sure wish I would have listen more, and not be such a smart asss. He told me little about taking care of myself with women or family, but maybe because I knew it all, yea right.

Today, after 20 years of his death I still remember little things about cars.