Ten Life "Failures" - Or Things I Might Change

Imposter syndrome has always been strong in me. Took a long time to realize I was not just "good enough" but "good." Still struggle with it some with things that put me "out there" (like here, and rolling out the side gigs I'd like to pursue). Would like to realize where this came from in my early years...

I didn't know what to major in at college... took Geography because it seemed to cover a lot of things, which it did. Ended up in non-profit management, which had nothing to do with what I took in college. Would have had more options if I went the business route.

I see what a small investment each month did for providing our son with money for college (or trade school). I kinda knew this, but didn't make a lot of money early on, and played catch up with bills. But could have made it work...

Not politics, but the politics of organizations. Officiating high school football has its own politics - who you know and what you know. I'm friendly with just about everyone in our association but never got involved with the politics. It has "cost" me and the crews I've been on in terms of getting the "top" games. Now, I'm OK with it, because the game fee is the same, the pressure is less, and the players tend to be more appreciative (especially after COVID). And I'm not dirtied by the politics.

Too much thinking about things, big and small to the point of believing "that won't work."

Took real estate sales class (for work at that point) and got license, didn't use it. Bought & completed copywriting, computer software and other classes, and didn't use them. Well, things learned there but didn't directly use them. Yet?

He was one of those 'strong but quiet' dads. Always there when you needed him. We talked about a few things, mostly him picking my brain on computer stuff as he was anxious to learn. But it was clear after he passed that my (much more outgoing) brother talked a lot more about life with Dad than I ever did.

Never had that issue with Mom... she was always pushing on things. Dating, work, etc., etc.

Starting to find ways to wean myself away from doom scrolling and worrying about "what's going on" in the world. Know when it started - 9/11/01 - was out of work and in our then-new home when it happened. Had way too much time to watch TV and read the internet.

Was kinda good to know more things, earlier than others. But never made a meaningful difference in my life, and certainly not in my well being.

An early online service (about the same time as Prodigy) that was graphical, came with the GEOS OS for the Commodore 64. They offered their stock for sale early on. I didn't get in. And that company became AOL.

Collections that have sat for 5+ years include GI Joe and coin collecting. Also returned to electric football, a favorite as a kid, during the lockdowns. Spend a decent amount of money on this, and it sits on a table in the basement.

Maybe trade off time used in #8 for time in this one?

Dad (and his dad - my grandfather) did most of their own home repairs - electrical, plumbing, drywall, etc. and car repairs. Never asked Dad to show me how to do these when I was standing there watching and handing him (usually wrong) tools. Kinda hoped he'd assume I'd want to learn this. I've learned a bit about these over the years, but #1 above have also kept me from trying things that I could "F" up. Even with YouTube to help!

Like trying to repair the bathroom sink stopper and breaking the pvc pipe. On a Sunday in the middle of winter. Luckily, my wife has a cousin who was a master plumber and who came out to fix it. For free.