Call me crazy but...

... I've started giving some serious consideration to pursuing work as a personal trainer. I'm sure many people who know me think I'm a little off my rocker. And I might be. I've certainly had my share of doubts about it.

I wonder if I am going to be able to find work right now, with the economy bad. I wonder if the pay will be enough to help support our family now that we are no longer associated with the military. And I wonder if I can even do this. After all, I have a hard time keeping myself on track- how am I going to help others stay on track too?!?

BUT... I think I really want to do this. I think this might be the right thing for me. While job hunting, my FIL told me to picture something I really enjoy doing- and then pursue that. I've been interviewing for secretary positions and, while certain aspects of the job are appealing to me, I can't picture myself waking up in the morning happy to go to work.

But I like to exercise. I enjoy the feeling I get when I know that I am making the best choices for myself each day. And I think I would like sharing that feeling with others. So I've decided to pursue it, and tackle my doubts along the way.

1) The economy- I have no intention of trying to start my own business at this point, so I am not too worried about that. I have applied for three gyms so far, and that's just the three on this street! I have a list of 20 others that I am planning to call over the next few days- and I am sure I will be able to get my foot in the door with at least one of them.

2) Income- I've been looking into getting certified. I know that general floor workers are not going to make a lot of money off the bat, but with a certification I can make more, and perhaps even teach some classes. I found an article that lists the 7 accredited Personal Trainer Certification Programs, and I am starting to do some research on them, and will pick a program based on which ones are most highly accepted in this area to increase my chances of getting work!

3) Staying on track- I think that this might actually be the push I need to keep myself in check! Afterall, what better way to stay accountable in a healthy lifestyle than to focus on health, nutrition, and fitness for a living?

I'm still not 100% sold on the idea, but this is the most I've been excited about anything in years- so I think I might have found my calling. It's not a new idea for me, it's just an idea I kept pushing to the back burner because I thought it was too impractical.

But I've been going to several secretary interviews here, and realizing that, although I want the job so that I can help support our family, I have no desire to work in any of these places. I am dissapointed when an interview goes poorly, but it's more my competitive side feeling let down because I didn't "win" the job. I've been trying to pursue a path that others think would be best for me, and aiming for a goal that I never set for myself. I think it's definately time to stop trying to please everyone else, especially my parents.

I have talked this over with J and he is behind me 100% with whatever I choose to do, so I know that, in the end, I have my husbands support. And since the choice I make is going to affect our family, in the end, his opinion is the only one I need to take into consideration.

I have been considering other options though. I have another interview this evening, and I am talking to a guard recruiter soon. And yeah, the guard seems like a drastic change, but it is something J and I discussed in the past. And, just my luck, one of the "hot jobs" (jobs they need people to fill) for the local guard base is in services- which means I would get training to work in all area of services including the base gym. A sign? Maybe- but probably not. Because another hot job is information management- which would give me secretarial training. I guess I really do need to make a decision one way or the other.