Fantastic idea … we are living in challenging times. I’m having difficulty getting started and staying focused on the creative aspects, especially when I’m tempted to make more ‘practical’ choices for earning a living.

Go for it!

I think I shall … and thanks for the kind words. It is a tough industry, but I continue to make my way in it, and hope my sharing ideas will help you make YOUR way, too!

I can’t wait to start reading them! I always love a little insight into how one can manage everything. It’s definitely a daunting daily task for me.

Jeffrey – great idea. At the end of 2001 I was made redundant. At 55, I was still too young to do nothing, but after 30 years in senior engineering management positions, worrying and working on behalf of other people I decided that any new job I took on would have to be mindless and consist of simply following orders. I seriously thought of applying to stack shelves in the local supermarket. I mulled it around and then had a ‘what if…’ thought. I’d been interested in music, sound and recording since my teens and had indulged these interests throughout my ‘legitimate’ life. I now had quite a decent portfolio of kit. Supposing I tried to see whether my hobby could support me? It would cost me nothing, because I had all the equipment I needed. If it didn’t work out I really hadn’t lost anything, but if I didn’t try I’d kick myself for the rest of my life.

I now have 3 strands to my business: I record – people, stuff, events, anything that makes a noise. I’ve built up my equipment so that I now have 24-track capability (and I’ve only invested in new stuff when I can see it paying for itself within a year); I provide sound for local theatres – equipment, installation and engineering – as well as events such as speech days and sports days; as a musician, I compose music (I had a musical performed last year) and play in the pit for various shows. As an example, two weeks ago I did the sound for a local youth group’s annual show, as well as recording tracks for two ladies to be released as meditation CDs (one of those ladies has also commissioned me to compose some music as background for her track). This week I played guitar for another youth group who performed a fantastic new(-ish) musical called ‘13′, as well as providing sound for a local school’s speech day. Today (Sunday) I’m actually taking a day off (except for writing this!)

My point is that some people may find my experiences inspirational, and I’ve arrived here in just eight-and-a-half years, starting with a whim. How much more inspirational will your book be, based upon what looks to me like a wealth of experiences?

Do it! Go for it! Capitalise on your success.

Best wishes, Ian

I feel we ALL have something to share, so my hope is that everybody contributes via comments (and maybe a guest blog post or three) to build on the concept so we ALL Benefit!