Need Some Reassurance

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I've been diagnosed with aspergers for about seven years. I have a good family business going, I make good money, better than anyone else my age. I don't go to school, I couldn't take the pressure and kinda broke down shortly after, plus school is not something I really want to pursue (maybe music theory classes at best).

I feel with the economy the way it is, It would be wise to earn my money now and I want to support my parents. They work so hard for the dollar and hate seeing them struggle on some bills, when they should be living comfortably at their age.

Having a family business doesn't exactly guarantee security. I would like to take care of them but this only helps to put pressure on me because its not just me I want to take care of. I feel if I don't make it now I have failed my parents.

I am only 21 but I feel like I am running around in circles, I rack my brain all the time for oppurtinies. I thought I understood the stock market to an extent but its a rich mans game.

I play music and have been recording it but I don't want to out my eggs all in one basket.

I don't expect any miracle answers but if you could throw some advice my way I would reallly appreciate it.

I hate to say it, but I think its a good idea to be careful in this day and age. Gambling is dangerous and the stock market is a long term thing. One possibility is to hire someone you trust to run your business and then get a second job. Also you can still provide a lot of moral support for your parents even though they may have to slave away, probably whats in store for a lot of us in this day and age.

Well, whatever job you're doing stick with it! You'd be mad to quit, unless it's to get a degree to qualify for a different profession.

I'd advise staying away from the stockmarket; it's risky and addictive. Remember never bet what you cannot afford to lose. Because even if you don't plan to sell your shares until they're worth more than you paid, someday you may need the cash immediately and you could reap a huge loss as a result. Don't go anywhere near futures!

Music and recording... can I be totally honest? This may sound horrible and I'm sure others will take me to task for spoiling your dreams etc. but unless you have real talent and drive to succeed here, are incredibly hard working and lucky, then you're one amongst many. [edited; personal story removed. sorry]

Don't fall into that well trodden rut. By all means, do a few gigs here and there or study music as a hobby, but when people say things like 'keep the day job', they aren't putting you down; I'm sure you are a very good musician, or you wouldn't be contemplating this path, but realistically so are a lot of people and to make it big you need to be exceptional or very very lucky and meet the right person at the right time and say the right things. All the time until you make it big.

But then again, if you've a family business to fall back on, as long as you don't bring it to ruin and are able to return later on, maybe it'd be good to get this out of your system so you won't end up doing it when you're 40. Quarter-life crises are bad enough Stay well away from the stock market though, seriously.

Hmm, one last thing: I've always been told never make your hobby your job. If you love music, then perhaps it's best to keep it as your interest and release, rather than turning it into a chore...

Although, if you have no training, it may not be a bad idea to get a degree or diploma somewhere along the line- those pieces of paper can come in handy occasionally.

It sounds like you have the right attitude already. You are thinking about the future and making sure you are prepared even when things are going well enough.

I have never been without work during my adult life and I have always gone to a better job with each transition. I attribute this to a few things, but the primary one is that I will often spend a year or two thinking out and planning my next move. About 10 years ago the business i was in started to become obsolete. I used to do animation on a computer controlled rig but clients started to ask if I could do a particular effect in a certain film. I did a bit of research and discovered how it was done and then set about learning the software. It took a few years of getting up to speed, but now I make a nice living doing computer based effects.

Thinking ahead and always keeping an eye open to future oportunities is a key factor in being able to adapt to a changing work environment. I know people who have not been able to see how things were changing and never thought much about anything beyond the present and are now struggling to find work.

In the current ecconomy, it is probably a good idea to hold on to what you have, but start working out how you will transition in the next two or three years. If you see hints of opportunities that you might like to pursue, start learning what you need now and by the time a really good opportunity becomes available, you will have the knowledge to take advantage of it.

As for going to school, it depends on your interests. In my field of graphics and visual effects, all that matters is can you deliver a good product. When applying for a job, no one has ever asked me if I even went to college, much less what degree I have. (I have a BA in Theatre - the second most useless degree) If you want to be a doctor, yeah, you'll probably need a degree for that, but in many areas of work, all that matters is can you do the work that is needed. If you go to school, do it because it's the best way to learn something you are interested in. Otherwise, real life can be a far better teacher.