RE: OT- Reaching 40, choosing path

I agree with Terry and would like to add the following thoughts....

I am the type of person if you want me to do it, tell me that I cannot. People told me that the US Marines were too hard that I should consider another branch. On mornings that I woke up in Bootcamp asking me what I was doing, I remembered all the nah-sayers and how I wanted to prove them wrong. People do this because misery loves company. For me part of the CCIE journey is others that I know who have not been successful and have tried to cast doubts on me. BTW - I not only completed bootcamp to become a US Marine, I served for 7 years receiving 5 promotions and surviving the 1st Gulf War.

Another reason is regret. I can list on 1 hand the things that I truly regret NOT doing when I had the opportunity. Much like Terry, I have been doing IT for some time and have dabbled with the CCIE idea. I have committed to getting my CCIE now and I have committed to be successful. No matter how many ways I find not to pass the lab :).

Lastly, think about how it will feel when you get your number. I talked to a friend yesterday and he explained his feelings upon seeing the PASS on his report.

I cannot wait to experience the same!

Hope you find your reasons and refocus.

Regards,

Nathan

-----Original Message-----
From: nobody_at_groupstudy.com [mailto:nobody_at_groupstudy.com] On Behalf Of Terry Vinson
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 6:45 AM
To: groupstudy
Subject: Re: OT- Reaching 40, choosing path

Hey ospfv2,

I'm 42 with four sons (19,10,4,2.5) and I've failed the lab twice. Some
mornings I ask myself why I'm doing this to myself, but honestly I have
to believe I would have asked the same question at 20. I wish I could
say age isn't a factor, but I don't remember things like I use to be
able to and my late night studies exact a bitter toll.

Feeling burnt out is exactly that a "feeling". Step back get some
perspective and ask why you started in the first place. For me it's a
lifetime goal rather than a "professional milestone needed to make
Millions". If you don't want to be a CCIE anymore quit, and you'll not
miss the heart ache. But if you do want it then you will kick yourself
HARD one day for letting yourself down.

Life is to short to do stuff you don't want to do! But I think if you
shut out all the "I PASSED THE FIRST TIMES," and the "OH MY GOD they
changed this and now the test is unpassable!!!" and focus on the
prize, you will find that point of fact "Luck is not a factor".
Honestly at 40 I KNOW that when I WANT something bad enough failure is
not an option.
I suspect it is pretty much the same with you.

Warmest Regards,
Terry

ospfv2 wrote:
> Just curious, how many of you between your 35-40 and still going
> chasing the lab ?
>
> i'm feeling too old and think about to burn my cisco bridge, build
> another one and
> better spending my time on endeavours where the odds are more
> stacked in my favour to bring the success i desire.
>
> rgds
>
>
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Received on Thu Aug 27 2009 - 07:14:47 ART