Ages ago I got acting training. I thought I’d learned a lot, but it was only after going to all those auditions, finding my own way to prepare for them that I really achieved some mastery over what I was doing.

I also used to do standup and character comedy. That really helped with acting, too, mainly because for a joke to work you have to make it look as spontaneous as possible. I never learned anything like that at drama school.

As an academically aggressive student, most of my friends had similar grades and I think all of them did finish college and earn their degrees. One of my best friends from high school hasn’t had anything to do with me since shortly after high school, but I don’t know if it’s over my lack of formal education or not. Other than that, all my friends were very encouraging to me to seek out my own path to success as I defined it.

I remember about 5 years that were particularly challenging for me in regards to progressing in life, and I remember a good friend giving me a pep talk about goals–the focus even then was on where I wanted to be successful and not just being successful in education; he was never judgmental that my lack of a degree was the cause of my circumstances at the time.

So, today I’m involved in a number of my own entrepreneurial activities (like you are), and I also have a full-time employer (like you) where I’m a corporate trainer. I find it interesting that in spite of my lack of formal education most of my work involves teaching others in some fashion either in the classroom or online and I’ve written three courses that are essentially college-level computer classes. I share this not to brag at all, but only to illustrate how earning a degree isn’t necessary for everyone in life. It’s much more important to chase after those things that interest you most. Do that and success will follow.
.-= Ricky Spears´s last blog ..magicJack Hijacks My Free Conference Calls to 218-339-2500! =-.