TinBukTwo

"I got a crazy teacher he wears dark glasses, things are going great and they're only getting better.  I'm doing alright, gettin' good grades.  I got a job waitin' for my graduation."  Or something like that...

The song goes something like that.  I am beyond excited for my next re-invention of myself and what is in store after JetBlue.  I've wanted to go into the repair business for 36 years and things didn't work out that way for various reasons.  And, it is never too late to reinvent yourself.  I feel like I have a great opportunity to do what I always wanted to before it's too late.  

I keep thinking back to when I informed my boss of my decision to exit with a severance package.  She asked why and I told her if I don't leave, I never will and I'll never get to do what I always wanted to do.  This is one of the greatest opportunities I've had and I think my entire career has given me a skillset to be successful.

Funny thing happened back in June when the opt out was available and I raised my hand and said that's for me.  On July 5 my Dad asked me to take him to church for some "church business" that was important for him to participate in the decision making process.  I reluctantly agreed to take him as I have mixed memories from my time at the church.  As it turns out, it was one of the best decisions I've made since I decided to drop out of college.  I ran into a friend from my teenaged years who I have seen in 20 or so years.  We started talking about what one another has been doing over the two decades since we've seen each other.  His name is Walter.  He told me he was retired from the state and was into real estate and owned a couple businesses - a ranch, a real estate company, a drivers education school, a biohazard transport and disposal company and a security company.  I told him I was leaving my career of 20 years and wanted to start an auto repair shop.  He knows a guy named Ike who's been in the industry for 35 years.  He's 70 years old now.  And before you know it we started meeting and strategizing on how to open an auto repair shop.  Our strategy meetings are very encouraging.

Today one of my dear flight attendant friends was turning in Austin.  I met the plane and visited with him and told him my news.  We talked about the computer we hired on to and the company we have today and both agree it's not the same.  During our conversation he remarked that the time is right when other options start easily sliding into place...  Pretty remarkable.

I started drafting the "leaving the company email" and reached out to a few people I had lost touch with.  All in all, I will be sending my farewell email to roughly 70 people I've worked with over the last 20 years.  I talk about what a joy it's been to work with some amazing people and how much I cherish the friendships I've made in aviation and JetBlue. It's an exciting time to live the life which is mine.  And the best thing is I'm not "leaving the company to spend time with family" which in JetBlue speak means you got fired.

I have a friend that once said you never realize the path you're on until you look back at the path you've traveled and when sight is set on the future it's interesting to see how the path led me here.  While it hasn't been a career of stellar accomplishments or rapid progression, it is a career of dedication and consistent progress and some strategic decisions that relieved temporary pain and agony - but some decisions have caused pain and agony... I've learned a lot and feel well prepared for what is ahead.

The challenge and uncertainty of what lies ahead can be daunting.  And what I'm learning is to keep working at it.  As I call it keep noodling around with it and making progress.  Learn a lot.  Make scary decisions.  Ultimately, I believe the way I want to do business will prevail.  I love the team and I love working towards a dream I had that was never given a fair shake.  Taking steps to bring it to reality is invigorating.  My future's so bright I gotta wear shades.