Mechanic for 25 years and owned an auto repair business in CA.
Computer service and repair since 1999.
I decided I was done with professional mechanics one day and went looking for anything to do with computers. (didn't know anything about them then)
The only computer related place I could find that would hire me for anything at all was a local ISP (Internet service provider) that needed someone to clean the bathroom and vac the floors twice a week at $7.00 an hour.
I went in and did the job they hired me for first thing in the morning and stayed the rest of the day greeting customers that came in and helping to direct them to who they needed to talk to.
I made the coffee, cleaned up the parking lot, washed windows and cleaned counters, desks and chairs, as well as helped customers carry computers into the building.
Every day 40 hrs a week I was there for 14 bucks a week.
After about a month of this the owner came in one day and noticed me there (again) or (still) or whatever and asked me why I was always there when he came in if they only paid me 7 dollars an hour for two hours a week.
I told him that I wasn't there to clean the bathroom and floors, but to learn what he knew.
You see, I happened into a place that did it all (an ISP) so there was literally everything to do with computers and the internet there.
Repairs, internet, servers, website design, the whole enchilada as it were.
So after a little more than 30 days under his instruction I was making $10 an hour and 40 hrs a week doing minor repairs and assembly of new systems, as well as seeing them doing all the other things they did there and learning that.
For some reason I was the only one that could get the brand new (at the time) 56k modems installed correctly.
When I first started our service business we had a policy of "If we can't fix it you pay nothing" but it was pretty rare by that time that I couldn't fix pretty much any problem they could find themselves in.
Sometime around the second year I was at 45, then 50, then 65 and so on until over the next 10 years or so until I balanced what people would pay against how much I needed.
Finding that balance made it so I don't need to work a lot of hours to pay the bills, so I can spend a lot of time doing whatever else it is I want to do with 25-30 hours of free time per week.
As time went on I found that working with and diagnosing computer problems was a whole lot like diagnosing mechanical problems on vehicles.
The only real difference was a new set of problems and different solutions but the basic trouble shooting came natural to me after doing mechanic work for so long.
I was a bit over 40 at the time and here it is close to 18 years later.
Now I own a computer service business, and set my own schedule, and don't work if I don't feel like it.
I don't work 40 hours a week any more, but about 10-15 on average and still make more than most people I know because of what we charge hourly.
Our prices weed out the customers that can't afford us, but we are well known for reliability and getting to the root of the problem quickly and handling it.
Some of our customers liken seeing me as going to the dentist. (they actually say that)
(It's not going to be comfortable, but it's so nice when the job is done) and they can count on us even though it does cost them an arm and a leg.
You'd be surprised how fast people who say they are broke will come up with the money to get their computer fixed.
I politely don't care if they can't afford us, or have a sad story about not having any money. (pay the cost or I'm down the road to something else)
I'm in it for me and mine, and always have been since that first decision to accept getting paid 14 bucks a week for a month.
I hope this doesn't come across as arrogant or bragging, as you have to understand that it takes a lot of believing in yourself and not letting ANYONE tell you that it can't be done.
Decide what you want out of your job life and MAKE IT HAPPEN without anyone (especially yourself) telling you it can't be done.
Your "self" is the ONLY one that can kill the possibility of reaching your goal.
Remember this quote from the movie Dune?
"Fear is the mind killer, the little death"
Self doubt is even worse.
