A Man of Many Hats

For long as I can remember, I've always been A Man of Many Hats! I have many different passions, which forced me to learn how; to be a jack of all trades. I was in such a hurry to get my life started; that I dropped out of school and started working at 16.

Starting Out In Life

My first job was in 1980, assembling pilot lights for gas stoves. I worked for this company for 4-1/2 years, learning every job. Once I learned everything I wanted to, I moved on to another company for higher pay. This new job required either a high school diploma or an equivalent, so I got my GED.

I spent the next 15 years at this job in sheet metal fabrication before I got burnt out and decided it was time for a change. I left this company in 2000. However, I will say that I enjoyed this type of work very much, learning all the different kinds of machines.

My next adventures were in construction. Building houses, installing vinyl replacement windows, and doing sunrooms. The economic crash around 2008 hit the construction industry pretty hard, so I ended up back at my previous company in sheet metal fab for the next; 10 years, managing 2nd shift.

Now I have always been the kind of person who loves to read, study and learn new things. I have two primary passions in life. My first passion is learning all about natural alternatives when it comes to health. My second passion is woodworking.

My First Passion

I started studying and learning about natural alternatives in my early twenties. And I studied EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) under the founder of EFT (Gary Craig). I have learned a lot about health over the last 30+ years.

So I wanted to find a way to share with others suffering from health issues things; I have learned over the years. I spent my valuable time talking to people about their health issues only to hear. "You're Not A Doctor!" People need to take responsibility for their health.

Indeed, I am not a doctor, nor have I any medical training other than being a first responder. But, it is also true that I haven't been sick or to a doctor but twice since I was 12 years old, and I am not on any medications.

The two times I went to see a doctor was for a physical for the sheet metal fab company I worked at. Not because I was sick! Constantly hearing "You're Not A Doctor" led me; down the path of creating a website so that I might share some of my knowledge with others.

Welcome To Wealthy Affiliates

Now I had no clue how to build a website. I researched a bunch of different places until I came upon Wealthy Affiliate. After spending some time looking over the platform, I knew this was the place for me. Having step-by-step instructions and a like-minded group of people; willing to help each other.

I joined wealthy affiliate in 2016. When I got home from work at night, I would spend hours on wealthy affiliates learning how to build my website. If you decide to check out my site, it is called The Hillbilly Shaman.

You can find the link under my profile picture. The only articles I have on it are the things I do to stay healthy, plus a few others. Be sure and check out the testimonial page if you decide to visit.

I have experienced failures as well as successes in the time I have been here at wealthy affiliate. A big part of my failures is because I don't work on my websites like I did at the start. They are not my main; source of income. But every little bit of extra earnings help. Right?

I; think to be truly successful at affiliate marketing. A person needs to enjoy writing. Writing nor grammar has ever been my strong suit. I created my website to pass on the knowledge I learned about health, more than making money. The income I do earn is just an added benefit.

Semi-Retirement Lifestyle

I retired from working full-time in sheet metal fab. in 2018 when I got out of debt. Once I got out of debt, I wanted to be able to spend more time focusing on my passions. I wanted to spend the last half of my life doing what I loved instead of just working to pay bills.

I picked up a part-time job 10 minutes from my home, operating; a gristmill working three days a week making grits, cornmeal, cornbread mix, corn flour, and fish fry mix. I worked there for about six months until the owner decided to move; to Wyoming.

Then I found another job 5 minutes from my house making wooden blinds. I worked there for about a year. And now I work part-time on an "if you need me, call me basis." I used the money I earned working there and bought a CNC machine for woodworking.

If; you want to find your true passion, you might have to wear many hats. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it out, and other times you know. As I stated earlier, my second passion is woodworking. Utilizing all of the CNC knowledge I gained from working in sheet metal fab and construction.

I knew at an early age that I loved woodworking. But just like almost everyone else, you get trapped in debt slavery. I didn't have the tools I needed for woodworking. And I didn't know if I could earn enough to pay my bills. But I always had a plan! An exit strategy!

The whole time I was working for someone else to get out of debt, I was also buying up; the tools I needed for woodworking. I knew in my retirement years if not sooner woodworking; was what I wanted to do.

Everyone gave me a hard time about dropping out of school and not going to college or going to trade school to learn a specific trade. But I knew the more I could learn how to do for myself, the fewer things I would have to pay others; to do for me.

Don't; misinterpret what I am saying. Learning and education are vital as long as it benefits you and helps you achieve your goals. If you have something you are passionate about but have no clue how to do it. Taking a job or several that will teach you the necessary skills you need to learn is a good thing.

I have no regrets about dropping out of school when I was 16 and going to work. It allowed me to get out of debt sooner and semi-retire in 2018 at age 54. But I always had a plan and stuck to it! While working on my exit strategy.

I can now spend my time making wooden signage, sports memorabilia plaques, stove top covers, and whatever people want with my CNC machine. I now work on my schedule!

Loving Life!!!!

Dale

P.S.

As you can see, I Am A Man of Many Hats. Sometime in the future, I have plans to build a website about woodworking.