Last day in the office

[shuggy]

Well, after much deliberation, soul searching, reading post after post here and looking at the pros and cons of a career change into woodworking I've arrived at my last day in the office as an IT Professional. 12 years in current job, 10 years before that and a few smaller stints here and there before that, all in the Finance sector.

I've been reading with interest various contributions on these great forums over quite some time now, and just feel if I don't take the plunge now (fast approaching 50) I never will. So I raised and submitted various forms such as the LTS, AFI and YOLO and handed in my notice last month.

I've been slowly working on creating a workshop in my garage, and building up a collection of hand tools and some small machines, again usually purchasing from the For Sale forum here where possible.

I've signed up to do the 44 week Designer Maker course run by Oli and Will at Waters & Acland in the beautiful Lake District starting this September. These guys are amazing and do some fantastic stuff at the school. Thanks to Custard for recommending them in one or two posts, along with a few others. I did a 1 week course with them earlier this year which I really enjoyed. I also tried another school nearer home, however I didn't feel there was enough emphasis on hand skills there. (Just a personal preference)

So, I intend to get as much practice in on my bench over the summer as I can before the course starts, and try to learn as much as I possibly can at the school.

Thanks to everyone who has ever posted on this subject which does come up quite frequently.
I'm not one for posting lots here, but I have gained a lot of really good knowledge and will try to post more going forward as the experience unfolds.

Might be a little bleary eyed tomorrow lol.

 

[Wuffles]

Bit late for this question, but are you a creative sort?

 

[Droogs]

All the best in the new venture. I know the joy and trepidation you will go through, but If you stick at it and remember to get the balance of work and life right it will bring many rewards even if it wont make you rich. good luck

 

[BearTricks]

I'd love to do one of the Waters & Acland courses, but they're much too far away for me. Are you local, or are you planning on moving out there for a while?

 

[John15]

Good luck Hugh

John

 

[shuggy]

Bit late for this question, but are you a creative sort?

Hi Wuffles - yes, that's been the driver. I'm very creative, and if I'm not doing creative things I get miserable. When I started out in IT I could satiate this need for creativity by writing software to solve tricky business problems. As you progress up the ladder you do less of the things you enjoy.
The only 3 O'levels I got at school were English, Woodwork and Art

 

[shuggy]

I'd love to do one of the Waters & Acland courses, but they're much too far away for me. Are you local, or are you planning on moving out there for a while?

Hi BearTricks, no I live in West Lothian in Scotland and I'm renting a cottage near the school. Plan to do 4 days a week there, and have 3 days at home. Quite a bit of driving, but I reckon I can drive down on the Monday first thing, and back up on the Thursday night. I guess some weeks I may have to be there on the Friday too, however that should be ok. I have a very understanding and supportive missus!

 

[shuggy]

All the best in the new venture. I know the joy and trepidation you will go through, but If you stick at it and remember to get the balance of work and life right it will bring many rewards even if it wont make you rich. good luck

Thanks Droogs! Yes its the balance of work and life and hopefully be able to spend more time with the kids, whilst they still appreciate that ha! I guess it won't be long before they're not so fussed :roll:

 

[Adam9453]

Thats fantastic news shuggy, I feel exactly the same about work. I thrive on the creative aspects and certainly get miserable when i'm stuck doing the horrible man management side of my job. I relish every opportunity to get into the workshop.
One day i very much hope to be in the same position as you, I'm working hard towards it.
Good luck and please share your adventure with us, it would be great to see how you get on.

 

[bourbon]

Have you thought out your business plan? What are you going to sell? where? To whom? Giving your Job up, Then going on a training course seems backwards to me

 

[shuggy]

Thats fantastic news shuggy, I feel exactly the same about work. I thrive on the creative aspects and certainly get miserable when i'm stuck doing the horrible man management side of my job. I relish every opportunity to get into the workshop.
One day i very much hope to be in the same position as you, I'm working hard towards it.
Good luck and please share your adventure with us, it would be great to see how you get on.

Thanks Adam9453! Yes that sounds all too familiar... I must confess I find it easier to post on Instagram under my name madebycalanta which has some pics of my woodworking exploits of late. Getting the pics the right size etc. here can be tricky. However I'll do my best.

Good luck with your ambition too!

 

[MattRoberts]

Shuggy you're my hero! I'm in IT too, and find myself constantly wishing I was woodworking for a living. Maybe in the future I'll be able to take the plunge too. Best of luck, and) forward to hearing how it's going!

 

[shuggy]

Have you thought out your business plan? What are you going to sell? where? To whom? Giving your Job up, Then going on a training course seems backwards to me

Hi Bourbon, yes good point. However, I couldn't possibly do the 44 week course and keep my day job too so a decision had to be made, and a decision was made. Rightly or wrongly. There are too many squirrels lying squashed on the road from not being able to make a decision

I think progressing through the process at Waters & Acland will help lead me further down the road of understanding the who's, how's where's etc of the market, and perhaps learn what elements I enjoy more which may lead to specialising etc.

Cheers.

 

[Wuffles]

Bit late for this question, but are you a creative sort?

Hi Wuffles - yes, that's been the driver. I'm very creative, and if I'm not doing creative things I get miserable. When I started out in IT I could satiate this need for creativity by writing software to solve tricky business problems. As you progress up the ladder you do less of the things you enjoy.
The only 3 O'levels I got at school were English, Woodwork and Art

That's cool. I did 20 years in IT before falling into the "pottering about a workshop" racket. I'm not creative though, so I have to nick ideas from everyone else...that's why I have followed you on both your Instagram accounts.

Best of luck mate.

 

[shuggy]

Shuggy you're my hero! I'm in IT too, and find myself constantly wishing I was woodworking for a living. Maybe in the future I'll be able to take the plunge too. Best of luck, and) forward to hearing how it's going!

Cheers MattRoberts!

 

[shuggy]

Bit late for this question, but are you a creative sort?

Hi Wuffles - yes, that's been the driver. I'm very creative, and if I'm not doing creative things I get miserable. When I started out in IT I could satiate this need for creativity by writing software to solve tricky business problems. As you progress up the ladder you do less of the things you enjoy.
The only 3 O'levels I got at school were English, Woodwork and Art

That's cool. I did 20 years in IT before falling into the "pottering about a workshop" racket. I'm not creative though, so I have to nick ideas from everyone else...that's why I have followed you on both your Instagram accounts.

Best of luck mate.

Cheers Wuffles!

 

[AJB Temple]

Good luck. I wish I had the time to do such a course. Brave step.

 

[Fitzroy]

Welldone for making such a positive decision in your life, and good luck with the venture! I think too many of us get stuck in the rut of a secure job that is tolerable but unrewarding.

 

[shuggy]

Welldone for making such a positive decision in your life, and good luck with the venture! I think too many of us get stuck in the rut of a secure job that is tolerable but unrewarding.

Thanks Fitzroy!

 

[shuggy]

Good luck. I wish I had the time to do such a course. Brave step.

Thanks AJB Temple.