Forum topic: Getting fired and doing Something Different

Hi All,

I've been kinda busy since I was fired from my job. Yes, for the first time in my life, I was fired ( or actually let go ) because: "you do not fit into what we have planned for in the future".  I can say a lot of things to this that would all be reasons ( turning this back on my employer ) but it occurrd to me the day after....my employer was right. I'm absolutely sure, what I was thinking is not what she was thinking, but that admission on my part ( which is true ) helped quite me immediately to a completely different direction. I actually did apply for another job in a jewerly store but didn't get that job. The discussion I had with the owner however,  only cemented into my head, that I need to try a different course of action. 

Coming back here only to say, it was here, in all my learning about RSD, people pleasing and the: " doing things perfectly so as not to get fired ( being indispensable ) because they need you ie: Being the only one who can do what you do ".

Well, after 40 years of being that person, I still got fired BUT....not because of the quality of my work, but because, I've become somewhat obsolete as my talents aren't needed in the same way as they use to. The world ( in general ) has become more and more compartmentalized, and the need to someone who can do "everything " is not really nessasary. Long story short in my field: People who aren't "makers" or can do every aspect of the job...can sit down on a computer and learn how to design and make "virtual jewerly" ...then send it off to various places to have it made. So in that respect, they need a CAD person, a mill or laser 3d printer person, a casting and finishing person, a  metal / assembly person, and a setter to accomplish a finished piece. The skills are being separated out to different people and done more efficiently, faster, and cheaper by sending it out ( out sourcing ) over seas especially, and circumventing the traditional way of doing the same thing.

I suddenly realized....in my years of effort of making myself indispensable and the guy who could do everything to avoid RSD at least in part.....I AM ALL THOSE THINGS rolled into one! I can not only do the CAD....as a maker, I can create the entire piece start to finish, and need no one to do any part of it. And I can use the wealth of experience to do it in the same, time saving ways...by mixing old tradition with new technology all by myself. I realize, I still have to market and sell it ( on the internet ) but I already have word of mouth people lining up to have me make things. I'm not going to do repair...these will be my own creations this time. 

So I've been busy, building my metal smiting shop and building my own casting machines.  Where I live ( after investing) has no one doing small run casting. I have huge amounts of casting experience and can even do platinum which not many people do. Not only that, I can cast aluminum into small parts with my new machine which will have a much larger capacity than traditional jewelers.  

The thing is......everyone, an especially teenagers, can now buy laser 3d printers and make prototypes ( star wars figures, Hobbit, Dungeons and Dragons etc ) Everyone and their mom can now make these things out of resin and plastics. But, who's gonna cast it into metal ? There's a need there,  and I'm that guy. Even if I only cast things for people...I cam charge them for time and materials....the possibility are endless and there aren't very many of me around who can do all...or any part of the entire process by myself out of my garage.

Anyway. I'm building my casting machines and have bought a couple high end dental casters that are now, no longer used. For my purpose, they're perfect as I'm not doing large scale production.  The bottom line here is....I have the skills, they're my strengths, there's a need, and I already have people knocking on my door. I can take advantage of doing things online and focus on what I do best...and that is....make things. This time around...I'll be the designer and the maker...and I'll be making them for me...not someone else.

I think I can do this...in fact....I know I can. This is in my wheelhouse ( instead of doung cars last time ). What is obsolete now, to a jewelry store....is exactly what a person needs if they're going to do it by themselves. And...because no one new is learning "everything " as I have....there are very few of me around any more. I realized...I am a rare commodity to myself in that way because I don't see anyone doing what I'm doing anywhere?

And as usual, I'm building the machines and tools and buying used on eBay for a fraction of the cost. 

So this is why I've been busy. Along with doing all kinds of house maintenance, car maintenance, and keeping house while my SO is at work. The volume of stuff I've done already is making her pretty happy. I've also saved us a ton of money by hiring out. Just the other day...I did a valve adjustment job on my SO's car, which the dealership wanted $500 for. My cost in parts was $48, plus my labor in one afternoon.  

 Suddenly, my skills have gone way up in price, compared to what hiring someone use to be.  I on the other hand, haven't changed much ! Lol  The fewer people out there who can't  ( now ) need someone who can....and that person is me.  

Anyway, my SO is feeling better in regards to things getting done quickly so that's also helping. I'm getting both...things she wants done and even doing more errands which makes her life easier.  She doesn't dislike that either.

I think what she appreciates most is me, doing things before she even asks. I've found that seems to be the magic key. Not just...doing what she asks of me, but thinking about it ahead and doing it before hand. Not always, buy I'm finding that is definitely helpful to her mental state and mine! Lol

That's what's happening currently. Ironically, getting fired has made things better in my case. If this doesn't work, I'll just do something else. I managed to build up my savings which also made this possible, including my Social Security I get every month because I'm old.

With that said, I'm back out to the garage ( my shop ) and doing what I need to do.