I am losing my focus

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
sigh......in the last few months and even now I have been frustrating myself big time.



Have been asking myself what exactly I want to do since 1998.....and now still haven't had a solid clue.



Coming from the multi-media background .....I am so used to do many things at the same time. But when comes to "what I have to focus" I am in hell.



Seeing some of my friends having success on their focused areas I start to think why the hell I am still in shit......



Then I look back to my "skills" and am quite surprised I am only a Jack-of-all-trades on surface........when I am seriously thinking about looking for jobs in some *very* specific areas I am just a master-of-none.



Video Editing / Effects - Only up to the prosumer level



3D - Only limited to some texturing and some "modeling"



Animation - Totally stinks



Programming / Authoring - Level 1



Design related areas like Graphics Design, Web works are the only areas that I can at least compete with other amatueres............ but I am getting tired of this and not many work in this area now anyway....



So all in all.......I am wasting my time......Afraid I am going to waste my whole life doing stupid things



I need to focus....but just have no fu(king clue on how.....

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 18
    scottscott Posts: 7,431member
    You might find this book helpful. Many many people use it. It helps you figure out where you are (you seem to already know), what type of area you'd like to work in, and how to get there.



    What Color Is Your Parachute 2003: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career Changers



    It may help you find the focus you seem to want and find a path to get there.





    You know everyone here love's your stuff so you have a big cheering section here at AI. So don't lose heart!



    I was lucky. I found focus early on. Followed my nose and wound up with a career I really like.
  • Reply 2 of 18
    Hey I hear ya leonis, I have some great computer skills, software programming(Some) PHP web design. None if it seems to be getting me anyware though \
  • Reply 3 of 18
    Maybe some certification program in college will help you to refocus?
  • Reply 4 of 18
    trumptmantrumptman Posts: 16,464member
    I had trouble focusing on what I wanted to do. It trouble me for a long time. Then I found the answer to my problems. I simply...huh....



    what's that....



    Cool....



    Huh?



    What was I talking about?



    Nick
  • Reply 5 of 18
    My problem is i figured out what i want to do, and it just happeneds to be everything. But i so feel your pain dude, i got my degree in computer art majored in 3d Animation, but now i'm an art director doing print, web and video stuff. Then i go home and make electronic music and cut and skratch on my turntables. So what i'm doing is trying to start a company on the side with one of my freinds and try and get some fun work that i can incorporate all these skills into.



    I say focus on 3d, cuz i think thats what you want to do (and my big favorite). Besides everything else you described has to do with making a 3d animated film. 3D modeling/animation, video editing / effects, graphics design skills, and some programing skills.



    And there is nothing wrong with one guy making a 3d short on his own, thats the point, that you have a movie studio in your computer.
  • Reply 6 of 18
    jcjc Posts: 342member
    I have to go now but I have been there and I am on a path out of the situation due in large part to some education i have undergone. I learned how I had been self sabotaging myself because of mechanisms that I had put in effect when I was 5. I will tell you all about Landmark education Later. but just to let you know. I have been a illustrater, web designer, photoshop teacher, costume designer, party coordinator, multi media cd rom designer and a couple of other things.



    I know your frustration and I feal like i have been there.



    i ask you to think about what is it that you would like to accomplish in life as opposed to what you want to do.







    here's to making a difference
  • Reply 7 of 18
    generalist skills might serve well in several environments... depends how you apply them.



    approach small firms who can't afford to pay several specialists



    become a one-stop shop to do production jobs where you can outbid firms struggling with the above



    introductory to intermediate education (my advice)

    no need to be the superguru for the geeks (requires continual upgrades to stay expert), but helping others to get to prosumer competency may be within your skill set. educational temperment and instructor diploma certification may be required, but it's another option.



    build a good reel of your best work and submit it to a few schools and design firms. ask for direction (rather than an outright job) and many will provide useful referrals or tips on how you might explore your path



    and don't forget the meditation.

    seek within yourself, grasshopper.
  • Reply 8 of 18
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    Two things in life make you focus :



    - you when you want to do a precise thing and nothing else

    - life, you get a specific job, and you become specialised in a special matter



    Anyway as you pointed out, it's important to be focus in your area, because there is two many amators able to de many basic things. My brother is like you (but older) he is also a jack of all trades. He has a lot of problems to find a job. He did a formation in web-designing, but it did not bring him works. I wish that things will become better for him.
  • Reply 9 of 18
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Leonis

    sigh......in the last few months and even now I have been frustrating myself big time.



    Have been asking myself what exactly I want to do since 1998.....and now still haven't had a solid clue.



    Coming from the multi-media background .....I am so used to do many things at the same time. But when comes to "what I have to focus" I am in hell.



    Seeing some of my friends having success on their focused areas I start to think why the hell I am still in shit......



    Then I look back to my "skills" and am quite surprised I am only a Jack-of-all-trades on surface........when I am seriously thinking about looking for jobs in some *very* specific areas I am just a master-of-none.



    Video Editing / Effects - Only up to the prosumer level



    3D - Only limited to some texturing and some "modeling"



    Animation - Totally stinks



    Programming / Authoring - Level 1



    Design related areas like Graphics Design, Web works are the only areas that I can at least compete with other amatueres............ but I am getting tired of this and not many work in this area now anyway....



    So all in all.......I am wasting my time......Afraid I am going to waste my whole life doing stupid things



    I need to focus....but just have no fu(king clue on how.....




    Suicide is the only answer.
  • Reply 10 of 18
    defiantdefiant Posts: 4,876member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    Suicide is the only answer.



    shut up ****ing ****
  • Reply 11 of 18
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by BR

    Suicide is the only answer.



    You are a real friend BR
  • Reply 12 of 18
    brbr Posts: 8,395member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Powerdoc

    You are a real friend BR



    Sarcasm is the only answer. OK, I guess my warped sense of humor isn't welcome here. *shuffles off to another thread*
  • Reply 13 of 18
    stunnedstunned Posts: 1,096member
    Why not get an internship. U get paid and master your skills at the same time.



    Good luck!
  • Reply 14 of 18
    airslufairsluf Posts: 1,861member
  • Reply 15 of 18
    artman @_@artman @_@ Posts: 2,546member
    Get this book Leonis.







    I have been going through the same situation. But it surprises me that you, being younger and more experienced hasn't found your niche. I guess it'll take time. But keep the focus on your true skills and upgrade on the weaknesses. I don't think your skills are lost. It's the market, really slow right now...



    I've been going through this book and there are some interesting opportunities in it. I'm only looking for freelance myself. I am actually trying to get back into IKEA right now. They are opening a new store here in Philly this Fall and I am working pert time on weekends to get some experience and exposure there. It's not easy, but they're impressed with my portfolio and with the work I am doing there///we'll see.



    Good luck Leonis. It is tough.
  • Reply 16 of 18
    cosmonutcosmonut Posts: 4,872member
    I look at my skills, and kind of feel like I'm in the same boat. The thing is, I am further depressed when I think, "Well, I could work really hard at becoming an awesome...say, Avid editor, but what's the point? I'm so far behind everyone else it won't do any good until I'm finally up to the level of everybody else. That could take years.



    What I have done is gotten a job with an employer who needs someone at the level that I am. They don't need a whiz-bang 3D modeler, or even an official Avid Editor. I can edit on the Avid well enough, and they have an Avid, so it works out. By no means, however, would I consider myself an "Avid Editor"



    I guess the message of the post is: Get a job with someone who needs you at the level you're at in any of those skills.
  • Reply 17 of 18
    trick falltrick fall Posts: 1,271member
    I'd say to remember it's not only what you know, but who you know. That said, I'd recommend interning somewhwere or taking a low level job doing what you want to do. I work at a post house and you'd be amazed at how far you can get by working hard and being friendly. A lot of the people I see moving up are basically the people who are willing to spend eight to ten hours running around town doing errands, emptying garbage cans, making coffee etc. The important thing is even these tasks they do well and with a good attitude. Beleive these people go farther than the know it alls who think they should be editing, doing graphics etc. without paying any dues.



    One other thing, I've seen first hand with editing that it has a lot more to do with working the back of the room than working the front of the room. In other words, you could have all the skill in the world, but if you don't have a good personality and don't get on well with clients you're not going to work.
  • Reply 18 of 18
    splinemodelsplinemodel Posts: 7,311member
    Sounds like me. I have a pretty good deal of experience in programming, 3d modeling (used to do animation but "focused" on modeling), basic 2d graphic design, and publishing (i.e. running a magazine). Seems like a good deal. . . Well. . . I'm an Electrical engineering major in college and I'm not particulary good at what I'm supposed to be good at. fortunately I've "focused" on the signal prqcessing side of EE and things are starting to look better.



    Of course, the only work I've been able to find has little do to with EE. . .
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