I think most people would just be happy to have a job right now. I have a great job but it doens even pay the bills. Every time I hear the word free it makes me wonder.. Nothing is ever free. It always has some thing someone is getting out of it. I post on here for free to get some self satisfaction and to help others.

hi i'm 48yrs old and i lost my job in july, this is the first time in over 20yrs that i haven't work.It's been a tough year for me and

my family. I work in a hospital setting for over 20yrs,and at one time i use to like what i do.In the last year i got to the point

i hated to go to work.I had to go thru been harrase and treated unfair having to work under a lot of stress in a hostile

environment.It got so bad that i had be out sick and that when i was let go. Now i"m trying to put my life togather and go

back to school. Praying that it will help me to be more job marketble. I dont wont to every be stuck in a job like i have been.

I pray that going to school will help me to have more opportunity and options.I'm even having to fight for my unemployment.

I hate my job, but how do I find my "passion" at 43? I would really like to start my own business, either a restaurant or a clothing store, but I have $0 start up capital?

I am 48 as well, and thinking about returning to school. Right now I am only working part time. I really need a full time position. It would be great if I were able to find something that I enjoyed doing. Unfortunately I am not sure if I can even afford to go back to school right now. I will pray for you/me

I was inspired by the program with Marcus Buckingham - being a 50 year old, recently unemployed, Male I was also disappointed that this was only about women. I look forward to taking the workshop to see what a difference it will make in my life and search for employment!

I'm currently on Sick Leave after experiencing a Panic Attack with Blood Pressure reaching 170 mark "silent killer", from the Level of Stress on the job. Oddly enough, I love the job and have "exceeded Management's" or anyone expectations; nevertheless, the focus is always on my "mistakes" and never "accomplishments". It appears Managers were good at another job, then were given Supervisory positions that they suck at and focus their entire attention on an employee's mistakes. This show was an "eye-opener" for me. As if you were a fly on my wall. It couldn't have been featured at a time that I need the most. I will use this time to reflect on what I've been doing and do things differently. Rather than trying to please Supervisors that will never be pleased, I'm going to please "ME, MYSELF & I"...this within itself will be a huge change for me. Thank you for this show and I will be taking the Quiz for my sake and sanity.

I WISH I COULD SAY I HATED MY JOB, BUT ACTUALLY, I WOULD GIVE MY LEFT ARM, TO BE BACK SITTING AT MY DESK, BECAUSE I LOVED MY JOB! YOU SEE, 20 YEARS AGO, I WAS UP FOR A PROMOTION TO SUPV. IN MY JOB. EVERYTHING WAS FINE, HAD GONE TO A MEETING TO BE TOLD ALL ABOUT IT, WHAT MY NEW RANK WOULD BE ETC.. THEN I WENT ON VACATION W/MY FAMILY! WHILE I WAS GONE, I WAS REC'ING CON'GRAT'Y PHONE CALLS FROM OFFICES I HAD WORKED IN, AS MY NAME & PROM. WAS ANNOUNCED IN NATION-WIDE NEWSPAPER. ALSO, WHILE I WAS GONE, A FELLOW IN MY OFFICE, WAS DUE TO GO TO MY H/O FOR A JOB, WHICH FELL THROUGH! THE PEOPLE I WORKED WITH WERE CALLED TOGETHER & TOLD MY PROMOTION WAS ERROR & P;ERSON WHO WAS TO GO TO OUR H/O WOULD BE TAKING JOB! WHEN I GOT BACK FROM VACATION, I WAS CALLED ASIDE BY FRIENDS & TOLD WHAT HAPPENED & NEWSPAPERS HAD DISAPPEARED.. I WAITED TILL NOON THAT DAY FOR SOMEONE TO TELL ME SOMETHING-NO ONE DID! WENT INTO MGR OFFICE WITH TEARS IN EYES & ASKED. WAS TOLD THAT PEOPLE WHO SHOW EMOTION IN THIS CO., DON'T GET AHEAD! GO BACK T5O YOUR DESK! I WAS AFTER TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO TRAIN THIS MAN & THEY TOOK BACK THE MONEY GIVEN TOI ME FORMY PROMOTION! I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF MY JOB, WOULD BUY DONUJTS FOR OFFICE, STAY LATE, COME IN EARLY, TOOK EWVERY INS COURSE NECESSARY TO STAY AHEAD, RECEIVED AWARDS, AND THIS IS WHAT I GOT??? THESE BIG COMPANIES THAT ARE BEING GIVEN BUYOUTS, I HAVE A BETTER IDEA! LET US DIVIDE UP THIS BUYOUT MONEY BY THE # OF AMERICANS (CITIZENS) IN THIS COUNTRY AHD GIVE IT TO THEM! LET'S SEE $250 TRILLION BY 250 BILLION ex. AND LET US, THE PEOPLE DECIDE EWHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH IT! LET US DECIDE! IF WE WANT TO BUYOUT SWOMEONE WE WILL, IF NOT, WE WON'T!

My job was literally sucking the life out of me. I worked for ten years, about half of which was a total nightmare. I eventually quit and I could breathe again and explore other options. It didn't matter that I was in my forties. The pain of showing up everyday for work just dissolved. I knew I would lose income but it didn't matter. I knew I was smart and I could build on my skills.

I went back to school to study something totally different. I am now entering a new field to do something I like.

Quitting that job was the best decision I ever made, even though at the time it seemed like the scariest decision.

I am a stronger person now (but I guess I have always been strong), and I am very thankful for that.

Yvonne.

To the Elementary School Teacher who hates her job, please let me know where I can apply for your position. I have a Master's Degree in Education and I'm dual certified as a Elementary Education Teacher and a Reading Specialist. Since my divorce and relocation I have been searching for a permanant teaching position and will gladly take yours. I have not been as fortunate as you for getting a permanant position. Let me know where to send my application. Thank you!

I get a little annoyed at programs like this because ADULTS need careers that PAY WELL. I AM doing what I love, but the problem is that I'm not making enough money at it to live. So I'm taking temporary dead-end jobs in order to keep doing what I love ... which exhausts me and keeps me from putting more energy into doing what I love! So it's a vicious circle ...

I wish they had a show on the nuts and bolts of becoming FINANCIALLY SECURE while doing what you love: going from Level A to Level B. Most of the women who are able to ride it out have spouses who are able to contribute to their financial security -- and someone else to pay their health insurance.

Jerry-don't be discouraged by the fact that it was all women in the workshop....having gotten the opportunity to work with Marcus personally, his message is universal. I have helped a few of my male friends walk through his workshop and found his ideas very rewarding. I think you will be happy with the message and finding out what really makes you happy! I know I did.

If you have questions along the way, feel free to post them, I may be able to answer them.

Ellie-workshop participant

Marcus and Oprah,

I love my job! I have had it for 29 years and as of Jan.1 I will be severanced as our company goes out of business. My huge problem is the unemployment rate in Atlanta is now well over 7.5%. I have been actively seeking a replacement job for a year with zero success. I had one call for an interview in 1 year and they were just curious about me as they have no openings. I am worried about my hubby's job as he is defense related and with a new president he may loose his job too. We live normally with no huge expenses in a 38 year old house. I wish I could find gainfull employment as I have never been unemployed for 29 years. I am worreid I wil lhave to take a much lower paid job just to be employed. I have no kids and must stay busy. I am not the stay at home type. How can this help me stay in a healhy mental state. I have been a recruiter for the last 7 years, buying and Operations for a major retailer is my backgraound.

I know I am one of several million that have the same problem Help!

This is all great for those that have a working spouse to make up the difference while you make a change. But for Men (or single women) we have to PAY BILLS!

Also, at 51 yrs old, I can't get someone to give me a lower starting pay because they don't think I'll stay.

dimmzy said:

I AM doing what I love, but the problem is that
I'm not making enough money at it to live. So I'm taking temporary
dead-end jobs in order to keep doing what I love ... which exhausts me
and keeps me from putting more energy into doing what I love! So it's a
vicious circle ...

Any chance there can be a follow-up show on who to break the cycle? how to reduce the struggle? how to make the pieces of the puzzle fit when you follow your bliss, but the money isn't following you? I think this would generate an incredible amount of interest. I know many, many people who are trying to figure this one out. And maybe the question is not about making the money from what you love, but more about finding harmony with your life regardless of the circumstances??? I don't know, but I think about this often. I knew my passion at a young age and even though I struggle right now...I am clear 'why' I am struggling and also crystal clear about the possibilities unfolding for me now.....but I have many friends that are feeling the same way as 'dimmzy'. I think it's an interesting question to address.....

Oh, and overall, Oprah, this show was mad inspiring! It feels good to see others go through the transformation process and get results. It reminds me of what is possible for me!