[dexter]

<font size=2>Most of you know I have been home from work for 4-5 months now with bills piling up. And with all the anxiety associated around my workplace I doubt if I will be able to go back to work there and remain healthy.

I have been trying to think of alternatives for a long time now. Right now even searching for another job is out of the question because I am having so much difficulty leaving my house and also working on getting my "sleep pattern" back under control I don't feel capable of maintaining regular hours for a job.

I have always wanted to do something of my own working from home and it does strike me that this may be the time to try that opportunity. Over the last few weeks I have been losing confidence in my skills so I am very unsure of how successful I could be at it.

One of my problems is that although I have a LOT of really good skills, virtually all of them were developed "on the fly" at various jobs and as a result I don't have the depth of knowledge in any one field to feel comfortable "presenting myself" as qualified in a particular field.

My T has recommended that I brainstorm with some of my skills and maybe think of a way to put them to use. I would appreciate any real-world advice or support that anyone can provide in addition to suggestions.

Most of my years developing my skills have been working in "electronic prepress" for print shops and service bureaus. This is where my deepest knowledge lies. I have a lot of knowledge in the mechanics of both offset printing and screen printing, and i am very good at setting up computer files for film output, including color separations, trapping, coaxing difficult line screen and dot patterns from "difficult" imagesetters, etc. I am really expert at the software used for this, as used from the point of view of an "outputter".

I work fluently on both Mac and PC, and much of my troubleshooting skill also goes to maintaining the computers and equipment, installing software, setting up the operating system properly, etc.

I think my biggest skill is my ability to learn and understand something and then be able to excellently troubleshoot and solve problems.

Here are some of my skills:

<ul>[*]Use of graphics software (but I am not good at creating art other than logos, flyers, etc.)
[*]Page Layout (I have a good eye for typesetting and layout and have worked on flyers, newsletters, and a few books.) This is something I really enjoy, and one thing I've been thinking about is doing the design and layout for corporate newsletters. I don't know how practical this is since many businesses may do this in house.
[*]Troubleshooting film output problems which also incorporates my knowledge of the print industry as to what will and will not be easy to achieve on the presses. I have limited knowledge of PostScript code, enough to find simple errors and fix them directly in the code for some types of output problems. I also have great skill in working around the limitations and bugs in the software to achieve the desired output.
[*]Building computers, especially for specific applications (like graphic design. Although I don't have any experience in high end gaming computer systems.)
[*]Setting up systems (OS, software, etc.) for optimum and consistant use. Includes Windows up to XP, Mac up to OS9 and OSX)[*]Modifying, upgrading and maintaining computers (both Mac and PC)
[*]Networking a small LAN (here my experience is very limited. I don't have a full set of networking knowledge, just enough to get the office PCs working together and sharing between Macs and PCs).[*]Basic internet connectivity, but I don't know enough about security, firewalls, etc to be comfortable setting up systems in a corporate environment (as my job the firewall was already in place, I was able to maintain it and troubleshoot but would not feel comfortable setting up such a system from scratch)
[*]HTML--this is an obvious one, I can set up a nice website, I know basic HTML coding, but primarily use GoLive for setup and illutrator and Photoshop for graphics. However I know nothing (or very little) about scripting, database driven websites, ecommerce websites and the security needed to implement. This i think greatly limits my abilities here. These are all things I am very interested in learning, however.
[*]Database programming--only started on this one recently, designing a simple but very useful "production tracking" database for the office. Working in Microsoft Access and Visual Basic. My programming skills are very rudimentary, but do build on old experience with languages (Pascal, Fortran) from college. I am starting to read up on SQL and would really like to build up my experience there and integrate it with my knowledge of HTML to be able to build database driven websites. This is not something I would be able to "sell" for some time of course.
[*]Writing-I believe I have some good writing skills when I set my mind to it. This is also an advantage in newsletter editing and setting up website content, etc. I also have dreams of becoming a professional writer someday. biggest problem here is the difficulty I have had concentrating as a result of the depression, and I have been very unsuccessful in my writing attempts recently
[*]Bookkeeping--I was "promoted" to bookkeeper in my last job, a company with several million dollars in sales each year. I became familiar with Quickbooks in that regard, and the company accountant seemed to think I was doing a very good job. Since my "learning" was in the context of this one company, I have no idea how successful I would be walking into another situation with the skills I have. This is something not very high on my list of "dream jobs" though.
[*]Best Skill writing long-winded posts on message boards that are way to long for anyone to read all the way through. [/list]
My biggest weakness is fear and shyness dealing with people that I don't know. This is a huge stopping point for most "home business" ideas. For many years I have had trouble answering the telephone, even with caller ID, it is something I describe as a sort of "agoraphobia" related to telephones. I am very comfortable dealing with emails. Many potential customers would want at least the ability for telephone contact. I have always been hoping to work with a partner to "cover" my weaknesses, but at this point I don't know if that is feasable. The other problem is a lack of self confidence. While I have a lot of confidence in applying my skills, I have little confidence in "selling" those skills, if that makes sense. And my confidence has been decreasing over the past few weeks.

I guess that is plenty to get started on. Any advice? Can I become a millionare overnight with some obvious combination of these skills that I have not yet thought of?

Thanks for all of your support.</font>

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

[boing]

The first thing that came to mind was a desktop publishing business from your home. You could do that almost entirely through email if you set it up that way, and you could drum up business through flyers and ads and over the internet. Of course a new business takes a long time to get profitable, but it could work.

I was a desktop publishing specialist for a large corporation and could have used your prepress experience in that job. I worked with the print shop a lot.
You have a lot of good skills and many ways to go.

[boing]

I forgot to add that you could do this for smaller businesses...doing menus and ads for restaurants, brochures for hotels and bed-and-breakfast places, ads for florists, stores, etc.

I used to do this for my husband's construction business, making ads and brochures for him. Any business that advertises to get customers needs this service and not all can do it themselves.

[Rapunzel]

Dave,

You have a lot of good skills and have done a nice job of inventorying and evaluating them and organizing them for presentation here. I don't really have any specific ideas as to what direction you should take with these skills, but have you considered using vocational rehabilitation? If you have questions about that, my husband is a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and I could put you in touch with him. He's registered on this board too as stargazer if you would like to PM him directly.

Some of the things that this service can offer include providing treatment for your disability, evaluation of your skills and your plans and information or advice on what you might be able to do with it, additional training, and funding for setting up your own business or assistance finding employment. It's a state funded service that a lot of people don't know enough about.

<font color=orange>"Everyone has a need for significance; and if we can't make that possible, or even probable, in our society, then it will be obtained in destructive ways." -Rollo May</font color=orange>

[mj14]

Dave,

I really like Rap's idea of looking into vocational rehabilitation. I know people who have gone through that at the mental health center where I go for therapy, and it's been a big help for "re-entering" the workforce.

Having said that, when I read through your skills, it sounded a lot like the skills my friends needed in working for non-profits. A lot of smaller non-profits need someone to do their books and maintain membership roles, but can't afford someone full-time. The one problem is, I'm not sure how to find these places, since my friends worked for groups that they had been volunteering for.

Good luck. I think work is great therapy, if you can find the right thing.

mj

[(JD)]

Heheheh I read it all the way through

While I think about it all (and you get plenty of other ideas from ppl)...
what I did want to say I forget the right "categorical words" but here's the meaning:

Few businesses are sucessful without at least 3 ppl. There's one who dreams up the fantastic ideas... a real optimist, someone who deals with the public and "sells" the business

there's one who is the level headed thinker, usually the financial person.

and there's one who does the work., who has the skills and wanted to work in the first place.

Of course, many ppl have all 3 traits. The onset of the idea that home business/working through the computer is "easy" and everyone should be able to do it, tends to forget the above.

<font color=green>...I can misspeak like the best of us</font color=green>

[Tess]

Hi, Don't let your shyness keep you from giving yourself enough credit for all that you know and have accomplished just because you don't have the diploma's/credentials in paper form. I have been in HR and recruitment and can honestly tell you although those diploma's do get you in the door faster - you have a special gift to learn and excellent writing skills! You can do whatever you want, in fact, I would hire you as you would be more of a teamplayer because your method of learning and all you have accomplished thus far was not an easy road. Unfortunatley, in the corporate world without the diploma's you may have to enter in the lower level of any field you may choose to try but watch out - once you are in the door and comfortable within 3 months your skills will be noticed and you will move up. But before you start putting more pressure on yourself - you have to listen to your body as it appears it needs some TLC and I get the feeling you don't like being as shy as you are. You have already handled and gotten through a field that is one of the more difficult areas to survive in without coming home beat up everyday - always the pressure of keeping up with the ever changing technology - always with deadlines - and under pressure to make equipment and people chime together. In addition it is a field where you don't actually have to relate as much with clients on a one on one which doesn't help your shyness. For a light down the tunnel, and should you choose to work from home (please make sure it is your choice and not that it is your shyness making this decision for you) since you have such clear and reader friendly writing skills (boy can't tell you how easy it was for me to read what you wrote and having this pooky ADD with depression it isn't easy for me to read most things once or twice and get it - with your writings I understand immediately - thank you!) sorry, back to you - but you would be great and can use your interest in writing by creating the manuals that companys must have with their products. I watched a show where these people had the jobs of taking home new products, like putting together bikes, applicance, etc. as the company needed easy to understand instructions for customers.
More importantly, you are just very shy - something I am very much in tune with as it has held me back and makes me feel pooky - but don't short change yourself and the world - more people like you need to be out there. It is better to learn if it is that you prefer being alone or your need to overcome holding yourself back due to whatever. This is something I work on everyday and I won't lie to you - at first it isn't easy but I found some tricks that get me out there without the pressure of thinking I am so obvious and feeling just plain stupid and lost. Once you start those baby steps getting out there -- you will find whether it is it is just shyness or preference to keep a very low profile but it take time. Wishing you well!! T.

[boing]

I just thought of this and thought you might like it. From your writing here, I would think you would do fine in this.

Click on "careers" and then "summary writing" and see what you think.

http://www.ubiqus.com/

[bptoo]

Dave,

I was thinking that something that might be helpful to you would be to sign up at a few of the job hunting sites. Two of the many I use are Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. I picked these because they are probably the biggest and most widely used. You can set up searches using the criteria you want, and use key words such as "work at home" and the specific field you'd like to work in. Using the sites don't cost you a penny. Oh, and you can set up your searches to notify you via email everyday.

If I can think of anything else, I'll be sure to let you know. Hang tough buddy.

Greg

"Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said."

[LadyDragus]

I had never thought of telling you to go to voc rehab.. but ya, that would be a start and they may even have some programs to help you so you wont lose your house and stuff. so you can stay where you are at..

everyone has some good ideas..
The only thing I cn add have you thoguth about going back to school???
and if anyone sadi that, I did not read very well .. migrane again



<font color=green>
The Toa pours our everthing into life --
It is cornucopie that never runs dry.

It is the deep source of everything--
it is nothing and yet in everything.

[dexter]

hi everyone and thanks for all of the suggestions and support. i have considered vocational retraining but haven't looked into it yet. i am still having such a huge problem just motivating myself for the simplest things.

there are other good suggestions here also and i have bookkmarked a few of the websites.

so thank you for all the support, and i'm sorry i haven't responded to this thread before this, truth is it is such a huge source of anxiety for me that i don't want to deal with it at all, but of course i can't not deal with it forever. my doc agrees that i am not ready to jump back into work yet but that i need to be making steps and plans in that direction.

i posted this to start being more proactive on it and then i just panicked... but i have been reading and i appreciate the support and the time taken to answer.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>

[stargazer]

Dave;
one of the great things about Vocational Rehabilitation is that it is a program designed to deal with the disabling condition first. It's about so much more than the vocational retraining. A good counselor would work with you, assist with getting you to a therapist if needed, psychiatrist etc, etc. then when you were more stable, vocational retraining could be the icing on the cake. Hope things work out well for you.
Mark

Though inland far we be,
Our souls have sight of that immortal sea
Which brought us hither.
William Wordsworth (1770–1850)