Getting a trade...in your thirties!?

[roboxm3]

Afternoon all,

I currently have a "professional" job, that I started as a trainee 15 years ago and generally enjoy. I've worked in a few different industries and there's always potential to develop and progress but...there's always been a part of me that would like to do something more practical / physical / productive.

I feel I'm growing to resent the fact that I sit down for a living and that my desk looks the same at the end of the day as it did when I got there and that I haven't really done anything, other than clear some space in my inbox for some more of the same and complete some reports that largely tell us the same thing/s each month.

There is a potential opportunity for me to go for a complete career change, give up the "office job" and get a trade. Swap the company car for a company van and essentially be no worse off (financially) for it, with the potential to earn more in the not too distant future.

There's a part of me that's desperate to jump at the chance but I'm probably more cautious by nature and can't help but consider the downsides and the potential for things not to work out, which wouldn't necessarily see me starting from square one but it'd obviously be far from ideal.

I'm confident that I could do the job and be good at it but is it just a case of thinking the grass is greener?

Apologies for rambling on but if you've got this far and perhaps done something similar yourself, I'd be interested to hear how it went, what you wish you'd have known / considered beforehand (if anything), and any advise if I do decide to go for it.

Cheers

[roboxm3]

Plumbing & heating primarily but being involved with more as work dictates.

I've spent more time working in construction (main contractors) more than anything else, so I'm familiar with the building game, just never worked at the coal face as it were.

[roboxm3]

Thanks for the replies.

If I do decide to take the plunge, it would be to go and work for my brother, who has had his own business(es) for around 10yrs now with the expected ups and downs over that time, so in some respects I'd avoid the potential pitfalls of going it alone from scratch but at the same time I'd still be relying on his continued success and future growth for my short-term job security and development.

I've done bits with him over the years, so I'm under no illusion that's it's easy work but sitting down for 11hrs a day hardly doing me any favours (it's basically the root-cause of my stty back) either.
In the longer term, if I can help him expand further, then I'd fully expect to be doing the late nights quoting etc. but that'd obviously be some way off, so until then I'd probably be doing shorter overall days and home at a more preferable hour...even if I am twice as knackered!!

[roboxm3]

Was there anything in particular that made you wish you'd never left the comfort of your desk?

The family thing is another aspect I need to give particular consideration to, I know...

[roboxm3]

So, what you're all trying to say, in a roundabout way is, perhaps give it a second thought!?

I appreciate all your input and I'll have to have a think about what my options are elsewhere i.e. as mentioned above, a better desk job (or maybe a desk job that allows for more getting out and about or something...)