big day, 2 yr anniversay of my layoff

[notfarnow]

Feb 6th was the 2 year aniversary of me being laid off from my job. Someof you may remember the story, if not, I'll summarize: Promoted into a good middle-management IT related position. Good job, but it was becoming a soul-sucker. Tried to get onto the sales department but was held back by my manager. Stuck with it in the name of stability, even as the work environment worsened. Then I got laid off, with my wife 7mth pregnant. I remember how terrified I was 2 years ago. My wife cried herself to sleep for days. I didn't sleep at all for 4 days.

Decided to try real estate sales, because I had always wanted to. Everyone thought I was nuts... wife, family, friends, PPOT. Only person who 100% backed me was my dad. DOn't know if I'd have been able to stick it out without him.

Daughter was born the day after I got my RE license

2009, my goal was to match my old salary. I worked 80+ hrs a wk, lost almost 30lbs, nearly induced a heart attack + divorce, and *almost* made my goal.

2010, my goal was to double my old salary. I worked smarter, put a few pounds back on, enjoyed more time with friends & family. I surpased my goal by $31.66

2011, my goals are pretty steep, but again balanced by more time for friends & family. My wife is pregnant again and due in August. I am taking the month off... something I wanted to do for our first.

I had one financial goal that I kept to myself: I wanted to MATCH my old salary by the anniversary of the day I got laid off. So, I had to earn my previous yearly salary, between Jan 1 and Feb 6... 37 days. I hit the phones HARD on Jan 3rd, and worked like a lunatic. Didn't make it... took me 39 days.... just signed another deal 25 mins ago.

I know it sounds hokey, but the day I got laid off I promised myself I'd never do work that I don't enjoy again. I don't even feel like I work anymore... sure, I get busy and sometimes a bit stressed, but I never feel like I'm *working*. I was thinking the other day, that this is probably the happiest I've ever been. 2011 is shaping up to be a good year

[Oh Haha]

One door closes........


It's coming up on 2 years for me as well. Life is better now than it was then.

I'm glad you've been able to find happiness out of what was a dark time.

[MBAtarga]

Congratulations to you both!

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

It's coming up on 2 years for me as well. Life is better now than it was then.

Congrats! Have you stayed in the same field as before?

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Congrats! Have you stayed in the same field as before?

Not even close. I was in vending and now I handle medical waste.

BTW- making about half of what I was but the hours are more family friendly and I don't have the weight of the entire district on my shoulders.

[LWJ]

Rock on! I have a similar story. Feb 16 is the anniversary of the start of my last career. No regrets. Congrats NFN on many levels!

Larry

[Joeaksa]

Congrats! Now stop sharing the toothbrush with the wife!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good to hear... Lemons into lemonade.

[pete3799]

Good for you Jake.
Better get that P-car now......only room for two car seats.

[azasadny]

That's great! I'm glad you're doing well for yourself and your family!

[Gretch]

Great story...........

quitters never win.......winners never quit.

Congrats.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

My wife is pregnant again and due in August.

My, you have been busy!
Congrats! You have a wonderful life, Jake...
Now go buy that P'car.

[widgeon13]

Congrats on the great success.

What part of New Brunswick are you focusing on and how big of a geographical region. I would have though selling real estate this time of year would be very slow.

I used to get to NB as I worked for a Canadian paper company, snow was always very deep this time of year, the only thing selling now were snowmobiles and hockey sticks.

[JeremyD]

Good for you Jake - always great to hear about good things happening to good people

[asphaltgambler]

WOW!! - very inspiring!

[red-beard]

I know exactly how you feel!

I was laid off the last day of October in 2008. My wife and I had started a business in 2006, with the intention that I would join at some point.

2009 was a struggle, to keep the bills paid. We made it and landed some new customers.

2010 we made enough to feel comfortable and pay off credit cards run up in 2009. The new customers started to pay off and last quarter was our best EVER!

2011, we may make more money than we've ever made. Business may be up, double to triple 2010.

We've been stressed at times, both for money and more now for time. But I think we're happier than we've ever been. It feels good when I put in a 20 hour day, and I am collecting for all the effort!

[notfarnow]

THanks guys. Pcar is in the works... might be another year or so. Want to get the house all finished up, and other projects tidied up before I start something new. Still trying to decide on what 911 would be perfect for me. I love the look of longhoods, but I think I'd be happier with a 911 I could drive year-round. A 3.2 carrera with a 915 is probably the sweet spot, although there is a 964 carrera 4 around the corner that I could probably pick up cheap. I hear those aren't great awd systems though, and a 993 carrera 4 is more than I'd want to get into for a "salt car"

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Congrats! Now stop sharing the toothbrush with the wife!

Is that why she keeps getting pregnant???

[WIL84911]

That's great.. Congratulations to you all. My company's currently laying off so I've got my fingers crossed with real estate in mind if ever...

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by red-beard

It feels good when I put in a 20 hour day, and I am collecting for all the effort!

W/ 20,000 posts it sounds like the wife might be putting in the 20 hour days.

I'm so glad I don't have to work anymore. I had breakfast the other day w/ an old business customer/ great friend, just a few year younger than me and he said the paper business is not fun any more.

Fortunately, I was in it for many years when we had a good time, wonder if that's why it sucks today?

[red-beard]

Well, My posting comes in streams, usually slow days, like today. Jan/Feb are usually slow. Oct-Dec are usually crazy.