Grown-Up Gigs From Microsoftie to Childrens Book Author!

Grown-Up Gigs From Microsoftie to Childrens Book Author! When I got an email from Katie Wilkinson of K Public Relations telling me of a client that went from the Army to Microsoft to a childrens book author, I knew I had to interview him for Grown-Up Gigs! Roger Hackett is the the author of the Ryan Robbie series (yup, thats him above reading to a classroom of kids) is obviously passionate about writing a kids book with multicultural characters. A man with a mission aint that what being a Creative is all about? 1. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a kid, I loved adventures. Because I was so rambunctious, my father always made me carry a book in the car. That left a lasting impression on me, and ever since I have wanted to be an author. Somehow, I always thought I would write about Robots, Outer space, or travel adventures. When I had kids, it totally changed my life, and it was just natural for my first book to be about and for kids! 2.   Youve had an extremely varied career: from being in the Army, to being a Microsoftie (Katies word, which I love!) to now writing childrens books. Can you articulate what took you from one place to the next to the next? As an adult I still love adventures. What I do for a living is a huge part of who I am. From the Army, Microsoft, to Apples iPod Division, to Ryan and Robbie the work that I have done has given people freedom, improved their lives, and empowered them in ways they never knew were possible.  It has always been engaging and fun all along the way both in the United States and around the world. For me, there are three words that help me find that next big thing Inspiration:  Will the work inspire me and others to be better than we ever thought we could be? Innovation:  Will the work I am doing bring something new and great into the world? Impact: Will the work I am doing greatly change the way people live for the better? 3.   Many creatives are scared to give up their security (aka The Day Job, The Benefits, Someone Else Paying The Check) to  pursue their creative career dreams, especially when theyre grown-ups with a family. Did you put a plan in place to make this change, leapt with The Trust Net in place, or had a different agenda entirely? Actually, I started working on my project under Microsofts Moon Lighting policy, so I had the best of both worlds when I started the project.  On the one hand, I had a nice pay check where I could save for a rainy day, and on the other hand I could pursue my passion for writing.  Microsoft is very big on empowering their employees to follow their passion, and I took them up on that offer.  When I grew up reading, there were was a gross lack of Multicultural books and even today few books talk about the challenges that occur when more than one culture is in a family, or how families grow from embracing the differences within a family to strengthen the fabric of their daily lives.  Too many families have chosen to ignore those differences in the past, and just tried to be normal.  Today, I think it is time to celebrate the differences and the richness that having a diverse cultural heritage brings to our lives.  It is one of the great strengths of North America, and many cosmopolitan cities around the world. 4.   Whats the biggest roadblock in being an author, how do you rise (or attempt to rise) above it? The biggest hurdle to being an author is making the time to write, and having the courage to keep moving towards your goal against all odds.  Growing up, I heard so many times how hard everything was, and all of things that I couldnt do.  At some point, I just decided to do them anyway.  I have applied the same philosophy as an adult.  I set my goal, and remove all roadblocks until I achieve or exceed my goals.  It just seems to work. 5.   If you can have your present self (the book author) give your old self (the Microsoftie) advice, what would it be? Follow your passion, stay focused on it, and dont be distracted by what people think you should want. When I think about my experience at Apple, the Army, and Microsoft The key to success was always focus and passion. Do what you love, and embrace the success that rains down upon you. Dont be afraid to tell people what you want to do, and what you are passionate about. One Microsoft Executive once told me, Find your Super Power, and then understand what the weakness is for that super power. It was one of the last conversations I had before I left, and I think if you follow your passion and use your super power, then you are on your way.  That pretty much sums up the advice I would give.