#1 Define your nightmare, the absolute worst that could happen if you did what you are considering.
Fine, The worst that could happen is that I have no income, no house, lose custody of my kiddos. Sell all that I own and live out of a cardboard box on the side of the road. or under a overpass, in the middle of a storm, with a tornado bearing down on me as the ex pulls up and screams that the whole lesbo thing was an act and she really just didn't like me. Then my GF gets out of the car and tells me that she's leaving me for a Russian ballerina. My female dog walks away with a kerchief on a stick while my male learns to speak; calls me an asshole, then bites my hand, pees on my leg. And splits. I'm alone.
#2 What steps could you take to repair the damage or get things back on the upswing, even if temporarily?
Aha! Mom's come with built in unconditional love! Ok, Dad's do too (I know, I am one), but being that mine has been deceased since I was four he doesn't apply here. I could TEMPORARILY bunk with her (MOM) and draw upon my skill set, which is many. I could join a crew and do construction, I could always hook up with a restaurant and either do line work or Sous it in the kitchen, or wait tables after a shave and a haircut (two bits!). More money in the latter than the former. After showing income to the courts I would then resume custody of the kiddos. Find myself another dog or two, especially one that doesn't talk or have the ability to tie a kerchief onto a stick. I love my GF, if she left then I think I'll be done with relationships. It's been a long haul. Now if she were to return with said Russian ballerina in tow and said "How you doin' big boy?"; theeennnnn that would be different.
#3 What are the outcomes or benefits, both temporarily and permanent, of more probable scenarios?
Hmm, I could travel in my Westy. I could go back and finish school because I WANT to. Build a better lifestyle and a more positive enviroment for me and the kiddos with the stress relive that would ensue. Even better I could have full custody of hte kids for bursts of time; like if I were to follow one of my ideas, then I'd be on the road alot. Then return and give the ex a break by having them full time. For a bit. Could definitely achieve a better outcome than THE NIGHTMARE as listed above.
today, what would you do to get things under finacial control?
See the answer to #2, minus the moving in with MOM bit
#5 What are you putting off out of fear? (Note, there are explanations in the book that follow each of these questions that I really don't have the time or inclination; let alone the typing skills, to put down here. One of the things in this question he mentions is doing something that makes you uncomfortable every day. Now I've heard that before and even seen the bumperstickers, apparently, this guy used to try (maybe still does) to contact famous people for advise. EEk)
Hmm, answering these questions? Sometimes even little things make me uncomfortable, like calling for the lumber that I need to use in a certain project. Actually, making phone calls make me uncomfortable. I remember when I started my remodeling biz that I had for awhile that I had to make phone calls, cold calling, and I was a wreck. I would pace back and forth and ne so nervous. I probably came off sounding like an idiot. i think that I've been putting off this deck that I'm doing due to the massive amount of sweat equity that I'm going to have to put into it.
#6 What is it costing you-financially, emotionally, and physically- to postpone action?
My line of work is physically demanding. Being my age and doing what I'm doing is starting to take it's toll. i feel it in my bones and see it in my face. The GF tells me I look awful and I chalk it up to allergies. Not so the case. I have to ba able to move faster than folks 1/2 my age. And i do. Monetarily wise, I'm dead in the water. Emotionally, I'm stressed to the gills. Not good when having girls coming up on their teenage years. By not acting then I'm looking at a life of serious irritation.
#7 What are you waiting for?
I'm not, not anymore. I'm not going to rush in but I'm going to enjoy this change. Watch it and nurture it. I don't want to get preachy either. I would likje to help others achieve what I know I will. Friends and family alike. After all, what's the point in enjoying a new lifestyle if you don't have people you like to enjoy it with.
Allright and there you go. Now I get to clean my house and make some calls. For those of you out there that don't know. This is all about leaving my old job, learning a new way to make income, and have more time. If I said it before, then this was the last time. Have you realized that some of the best movies, adventures and stories of all sorts start out with moving off into the unknown? The first moments are always the ones that might even take your breath away? Scare you? Right now I feel a little like Bilbo Baggins, (not Frodo, then I'd have to look like I was about to break down crying alot and be miserably depressed about my burden that I can't share) but setting out on a fine morning, waking stick in hand and wondering what's to be around the next corner. I guess I need some furry toes. Now on with the adventure.
