Go Back to Your Past
Dan Horgan
Marketing Director | Air Force Combat Veteran | Military Spouse | Brand Evangelist | Aspiring Photographer and Archery Enthusiast | Champion for Outdoor Adventures
I have been using LinkedIn heavily for the last two years and I am a fan of the platform. Being a combat veteran and former Police Officer, I have a diverse action-packed background. I read an article recently about getting back to your past to see what you want to do as a career. That article struck a chord with me, and I dug through my old papers and I found a letter I got back from Tom DeFalco, Marvel Comics. It was 1989 and I was at the University of Bridgeport. Believe it or not, I was going to major in Journalism. I wrote for the college newspaper that semester. Another person and I wrote a poetry section called “Writers Block”. Being so close to New York City and a huge Marvel Comics fan, I decided to write to Marvel Comics to inquire about becoming a writer. I received that typed letter back from Tom, then Editor-in-Chief.
One of the sentences in the letter says “More important than schooling is practice. Write all the time, wherever you go. And then some more.” I left Bridgeport that December in 1989, went to a Community College, saw A-10s flying overhead from the Maryland Air National Guard, and joined the Air Force. I don’t regret that decision at all. I enjoyed my honorable service, but I stopped writing. Sure, I wrote Enlisted Performance Reports (creative bullet statements), police reports and authored search warrants, but I lost my creative writing “juices”.
It’s now almost 2020 and I work for a coffee company (Black Rifle Coffee Company) that has a huge social media presence and some brilliant creative minds. I find myself constantly thinking about how to be creative; what new picture can I take, funny story can I tell, what inspiration can I give to someone. I’m not stressed about work; I’m having fun with work. Putting on my bullet proof vest, badge, and gun wasn’t stressful, it was fun (my wife would disagree). I know there are bills to pay, etc., but to close the loop I think you must go back to your past and see what made you happy or gave you inspiration. Go do that. Sounds easy, but it’s not. It just took me from 1989 to 2019 to realize that. I enjoy writing and being creative. It’s not only important to inspire others but inspire yourself.
Consultant | Mentor | Advisory Board Member | Author - Storyteller | SM Content Creator |??Podcast Host??| Public Speaking/Keynote | ?? Photography Enthusiasts | (USMC-Ret.)
4 年Great thoughts for a Sunday afternoon - reflection is essential to long-term wellness. This was inspiring, indeed!
Black Rifle Coffee Co.
4 年He gave good advice. The difference between successful writers and unsuccessful ones is how much they write, and to some extent, how much they read.
Real Estate Development Entrepreneur modernizing homes & communities through technology, environmental practices & operational efficiencies. 3D Printed Smart Homes; Land Acquisition; Land Planning | MLPD | 3DCP | VETERAN
4 年Derek R. Poor and I just discussed and will be a topic covered in my upcoming podcast View From the Skies. Get back to the creativity of what’s enjoyable to you and work it into your masterplan...coffee and comic books, how could life be better? ??
Co-Founder & CMO | Car Unified Marketing AI
4 年Daniel Horgan Nice! Thanks for sharing ??
"Like No Money" | Connector & Veteran Workforce Liaison | Building Robust Networks | Passionate Project-Entrepreneur | COMMIT Foundation Alumni (KY)
4 年I asked my theater appreciation professor in college what it takes to become a writer. His reply was the same “write every day”. I began writing while in the military, but let little things get in the way. Now retired, I often ask myself where would I be if I’d just kept writing. I’ve finally started reliving all the good times and putting them down on paper. Wonderful post Daniel