This is so randomly inspired by a series of epiphanies I’ve had about being an entrepreneur, especially a successful one. It’s a bit of a read, but I think you’ll enjoy it or die trying.
So basically, as you (perhaps don’t) know, I’m somewhat considered a bit of a rebel, but a rebel with a cause. I’m someone who takes the ability to be herself more seriously than I do things like, you know, kiss ass for a “great job” that (really only) rocks (on paper).” In spite of this fact, I’m not a professional slacker. I’m one of the hardest working people I know, especially when it comes to forging a path for myself.
I’ve been freelancing through life (aka experimenting with different things) since forever, but even more so since about 2004 or so. From mystery shopping and a 6 month stint as an AmeriCorps volunteer to becoming an Internet marketer & digital publisher, I basically have no problem infusing who I am into anything I do… and that’s kind of the problem I’ve had when it comes to “traditional” employment…
…Especially when the rules require 100% compliance to certain levels of conformity.
See What Had Happened Was…
I’m a pretty authentic character. With me, what you see is usually what you get, and when you know what’s under the surface, “what you see” and “what you get” usually mean a colorfully blunt and vibrant perspective coupled with an equally colorful, blunt response.
While I’m not as blunt as Penelope Trunk, in many ways, I’d consider her a hero. I would say, if you took Ricki Lake, Angie Martinez, LaLa Velasquez Anthony, Jenny Jones, marketer and SEO specialist Sugar Rae, Dave Chappelle, 2Pac, Rihanna & Beyonce, a few Boondocks characters, baked them and somehow created my icing with a few Judd Apatow movies (+ 3 cups of natural spaz), then you’d have me.
Or something like that, cause yea that’s kind of like me, but not really. (2Pac cares.)
*shakes head at my hopelessly random attempt to define myself with human recipes*
… Anyway… my point is, after unsuccessfully mixing my unique cocktail into highly stringent environments, I was jobless for a long time. As a result, I experienced a very low period in my life where I felt like I #FAILED at life.
Feeling like a simple failure wasn’t enough; I felt like I was a walking EPIC FAIL. At everything.
I told myself that the only way life would make sense and get better was if I “forced” it. I felt, since I couldn’t be trusted as my own agent of change, I’d go to the one place that could get it done:
The military.
Specifically, the United States Air Force.
I seriously felt, through observing a few USAF friends I had, the Air Force was perfect for having a normal existence of high accomplishment.
If nothing else, I just knew the USAF would make a normal woman out of me. If, by chance, they couldn’t make me conform, then something was seriously fuckin’ wrong with me.
I didn’t want this to be one of those super long, eye-draining posts, so I cut it and pasted the other half here .