My Second Chapter

Am I too old to have a new career? I am, right? I turned 52 today, and I'm pretty sure I shouldn't even be thinking about  starting a new job, especially one as high risk and full of rejection as I'm sure this one will be. Will I have the energy to see this through? I'm not the kid I used to be. I could just sit back and take up some nice hobby...perhaps macrame.

Oh, but wait, this idea won't leave me alone. I think I have to do it, I have to try. And, after all, I have experience that a lot of younger folks don't have. Maybe I better give it a shot, if for no other reason than to say I took a stab at a mid-life crisis.

For me, that's a core value. If I don't try, I'll wonder if I could have done it.

It's with this spirit of lukewarm enthusiasm and self-defeatist attitude that I announce my foray back into the world of voice work. It's been a long time, baby. The last time I was in front of a microphone I was just over 30 years old. 20 years is a long time to be away from a fast-paced and fast-changing industry. The last time I did a commercial, someone else did it for me. In a studio. With lots and lots of editing and fancy buttons. The industry today is unrecognizable to me. People record commercials in their own homes with their own equipment. Am I too old to keep up? Am I capable of learning the new tech?

I'll admit to being absolutely terrified, but unable to put this idea away. A few months ago, I reached out to a couple of people to get some advice. Fortunately, one of these is still very active in radio and was able to give me incredibly useful information about equipment and software. Another friend has offered to help me network in this area.

And still, I waited. I'm too scared. I'm too old. I'm overwhelmed. I have no quiet space in which to record. The last bit there, the one about no space, is actually my only valid reason for the stalling. I live in an RV. There is no space. So, I quit? Hmm, maybe.

But then, I took my daughter to a Tedx Talk here in Hilton Head. The whole day was amazing, inspirational. But the one thing that hit me hard, right in the gut, was the idea that we must figure out what we want. When we do, we must take small steps toward that goal every day. We don't have to be successful right away. We don't  even have to take a BIG step every day. But we have to work toward what we want with a small step. Every day.

Today, I ordered the equipment my friend said I needed. I'll be attempting to understand the software required. I've approached the local library, where I will be trying to record. The staff was so welcoming that I almost felt guilty for not  approaching them sooner. I downloaded something that a friend told me I needed. Something to do with turning it all digital...okay then! Small step. Every day. And hey, I started this blog! As equipment starts to arrive, I'll be putting this into video form on youtube as well. Small steps. Every day.

I'm 52. I'm too old to be starting something new. And yet, I'm going to try anyway.