What Would I Do Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now?

I have been thinking about a blog Conrad Allen wrote back in May "IS THE TAIL NOW WAGGING THE DOG?", and it has had me thinking about What Would I Do Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now?  There are several things I can think of I would do differently, but the one which sticks out to me the most is not starting my present career earlier in life.

Before becoming a Loan Originator I had already been in sales for 30 years, with 26 of those years doing  Industrial Sales. During those 30 years I always looked to incorporate new technology in what I did, as well as new ways to market myself better.  I also realized very early in my sales career that being the best meant continual training, and being informed about industry changes.

So when I made a career change into the Lending Industry, the same mentality continued. I am always looking for a better way to improve what I do, and being as up to date as I can possibly be about changes in the Lending Industry. This involves training, so I can best incorporate new changes to better service my Borrowers. I have made the Internet and technology a major part of my marketing, and accessing information which enables me to get the information my Borrowers require.

So what is my regret and What Would I Do Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now?   I would have made the transition from Industrial Sales to Loan Origination sooner for a couple of reasons. 

• First, as much as I enjoyed doing what I did for 26 years in Industrial sales,  there were changes going on as a result of the economy which had major changes on my customer base. The Industrial Sales I did involve Manufacturing and Warehousing.  These two industries began to leave Connecticut in the early 90's, and reduced my customer base.  With a reduction in my customer base, came a reduction in income.  If I had made the transition from Industrial Sales sooner I would not have taken as much of a financial hit as I did.
  

• Second, while Industrial Sales provided me with a level of satisfaction and accomplishment, I find the satisfaction and accomplishment of helping, especially First Time Homebuyers purchase a house even more satisfying.  It is a satisfaction and accomplishment which is hard to put into words.  It is a satisfaction and accomplishment which has to be experience in order to truly understand.

My career change has proven to not only have been beneficial financially and improved quality of life, but also an opportunity for advancement I did not have before.  Today I have a team of Loan Originators who report to me, so I get to share what I have learned and continue to learn with them.  I get to be a part of helping them grow their business, and hopefully fulfill their career dreams.  But at the same time I am an Originating Sales Manager, which allows me the opportunity to originate loans, and continue to help Homebuyers achieve the American Dream of home ownership.

Life is to short to live it feeling like you should have made a different career choice.  You do not have to end up at a point in your life asking yourself What Would I Do Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now?  I regret not having made my decision sooner, but I would have regretted it MUCH more if I had not made it at all.  So ask yourself What Would I Do Differently If I Knew Then What I Know Now?  And then act upon it before it is too late.