Jumped industries and found a new home

[NOPANTS68]

After spending nearly 15 years in the collision industry, I decided it was time to find a new adventure. I was burned out and becoming negative about the industry and the control the insurance companies are taking from the store/customer relationship. After a short search, I landed a position at a cylinder head company called American Cylinder Head, out of Oakland, CA. Talk about a match made in heaven.

Ultimately, my biggest hurdle wasn't the change in positions, but rather my own hesitation to leave a comfortable, relatively decent paying position to head into the unknown. Turning 40 this year, having 3 children to support, getting married this year, and building the wedding site in my own property certainly filled the head with doubt. I took that leap and it worked out.

Don't ever wait to embrace an opportunity. Change and the unknown are usually tools of fear levied on working people to not leave positions- regardless of the level of misery. I have a massive amount of respect for the individuals on this board, as it was a few of you who were my crutch through the change. I once again called on Lateral-g, and once again it supported me. Thanks all.

[NOVA]

Are they looking for a salesman or district manager ?
serious, good for you, like to read stories like this.

Originally Posted by NOPANTS68

After spending nearly 15 years in the collision industry, I decided it was time to find a new adventure. I was burned out and becoming negative about the industry and the control the insurance companies are taking from the store/customer relationship. After a short search, I landed a position at a cylinder head company called American Cylinder Head, out of Oakland, CA. Talk about a match made in heaven.

Ultimately, my biggest hurdle wasn't the change in positions, but rather my own hesitation to leave a comfortable, relatively decent paying position to head into the unknown. Turning 40 this year, having 3 children to support, getting married this year, and building the wedding site in my own property certainly filled the head with doubt. I took that leap and it worked out.

Don't ever wait to embrace an opportunity. Change and the unknown are usually tools of fear levied on working people to not leave positions- regardless of the level of misery. I have a massive amount of respect for the individuals on this board, as it was a few of you who were my crutch through the change. I once again called on Lateral-g, and once again it supported me. Thanks all.

[NOPANTS68]

Ha! Not unless they get rid of me first! lol.

Thanks though. Good things can happen if you calculate risk.

[im4u2nvss]

Inspiring post, thanks!

[rustomatic]

Good for you, dude! I frequently tell far too many people (not frequently enough myself) that comfort is their greatest enemy. Study statistics and stories related to battered spouse's syndrome, and you get the mind-state of a great many tortured members of the human party; fear of change is frequently far more substantial than fear of a broken jaw. It's tough to make a change, and it usually takes way more work than might seem reasonable, but it's usually quite well worth it in sanity and longevity. Here's to aging a little more slowly!

[cluxford]

Great story.......I'll just offer 2 quotes

Different isn’t always better,
But better is always different

Fortune favours the bold !

[Flash68]

Go get yours!

[NOPANTS68]

Life is what you make of it man. No doubt. No sense in spending 50 hours a week away from your family to then come home sour and salty. I missed too many dinners, too many ball games, and too many moments with my kids making other people wealthy. Moving on.

[jarhead]

Congrats Dave, happy for you! Starting over can be a good thing in many ways.

I started over at 43, took allot of classes in IT, I was a Tool Maker, I really enjoyed my job, but it was killing my knees and my income.

61 now and eligible to retire in less than a month, although i will wait a couple of years. Youngest still in college.

I also started over with a new family at the age of 31, i still support my first family so to speak.

Semper Fi, it means everything.

Brother Joe

[NOPANTS68]

Thanks bud. What did you end up doing after the change?