When starting over after losing a job, the right mindset and a willingness to try new things will serve you well.

All I knew when I set out to find a job was that I needed to make money to feed the family - after all, I was the only bread winner. A burning desire will take you a long way but you have to be willing to be open to the possibility that the journey may be a little bit of a winding road.  

There wasn't much call for legally blind mechanics who were trained to tie steel but I had a hunger to make a living and I think that is what benefited me most. My goal was not too narrowly defined that it restricted me in any way.

I come from a long line of very hard working people. Truth is we're not much for sitting around being idle. When I started looking for work my resume looked a little skewed. I thought about adding the extra skills that I possessed such as being able to split wood or install vinyl siding but it didn't make much sense. After all, crafting the resume to fit the job description that you're applying for is a good practice. There's also the need to be open minded and to be willing to try new things. Don't limit your search too much. 

It is quite common to try and find work doing what you have always done. But when you take a long hard look at the job market, you may want to branch out a bit. I tried to stay close to my industry in the beginning. After leaving the army, I trained to tie steel for the Hibernia project. But the reality was, my vision didn't make for a safe environment. I wasn't afraid to try new things or consider living in a new location!!

You're never too old to learn. Unless of course you tell yourself that you are. I recently ran into a displaced worker who was 53 years old. He told me "No one will want to hire me." Well you best watch what you say because it might come true. After all what you believe to be true often becomes your reality. 

Contrast that attitude with the 62 year old recently laid off fish plant worker I met at university who was now studying Theology. This was a guy who was open to change and not into limiting his options. The choice is yours. 

We're all shaped by our environments. Let's  not limit ourselves by our environmental conditioning. If you grew up in a home with a piano and I didn't, chances are that you may have some skill and an appreciation for the piano. Doesn't mean that I won't be able to learn to play - I just haven't tried yet. It's the same no matter how old you are. If you're willing to keep an open mind and try new things, you may be pleased with where you end up. Had someone told me ten years ago that I would one day own a training facility and a tax business, I would have told them they were nuts.

That wasn't part of my dream. 

Or was it? I did have was a burning desire to have meaningful work where I could provide for me and the family and feel like I was contributing to the world. Lo and behold, that's just what I ended up with. It just looks a little different than what I thought it would look like in the beginning. 

What's it going to be for you? The possibilities are limitless - dare you dream a bigger dream?