After six years as a regular fixture on 9News, Denver’s local NBC television affiliate, education reporter Dana Knowles deserted life as she knows it to follow her dream of becoming an author. On Oct. 28, she officially left her reporting career to venture into the unknown.
Since the age of 10, she’d wanted to be a journalist. “My family watched news, discussed politics, world issues, things in the news. There was lots of discussion. And once I decide on something, I’m very single-minded, and I can do it. I stick to that decision.”
Knowles became a TV journalist, despite naysayers who wondered if this was a futile goal. Before she became a reporter, well-meaning adults tried to discourage her with questions and comments like: “Why would you want to go into a business with so few positions? It seems so impossible.”
Within four years of starting her career, Knowles landed a job in Denver, the nation’s 18th-largest television market. Knowles stayed at 9News for six years in an industry where turnover is fast and furious. But then, the unexpected. The job was no longer fulfilling.
“I’d been sort of coming to that point for maybe two years,” she says. “The stress levels are through the roof, and every day is a crisis situation – it’s extremely competitive.”
No matter what – technical difficulty, last-minute interview cancellations – Knowles had to be composed and ready to air by 4 o’clock.
“You want to be first, first, first – get there before anyone else. In news we take ourselves so seriously you’d think we’re finding the cure for cancer every day, but we’re not … it’s just news.”
The grind took its toll. She developed stomach problems, sleepwalking and insomnia.
“I hadn’t slept well for five years,” she says. The news business’ rubbed off on her personal viewpoints, as well. “I turned into a cynical person. After how many shootings, missing children, 25-car pileups, or people recovering from those things … how much of that do I want to continue having in my life when it’s all bad?
“People tell you something and you don’t believe it – it’s like, ‘OK, c’mon, tell me the real story.’ I don’t want to live my life like that. I want to look for the positive.”
Knowles wanted out.
So what does one do once the life plan created and followed since childhood no longer fits? Her husband was extremely supportive when she broached the subject, asking: “What do you want to do?” Knowles responded: “I want to work on this book.”
With her husband on board, citing her happiness as the priority, Knowles was on her way. Next, they created a family financial plan to ensure they could live prudently on one salary.
When she went to management to resign, 9News developed a part-time working relationship until the end of her contract. During this time, Knowles wrote short stories to gear herself toward writing a novel. She also focused on optimizing her health, through yoga, exercise and eating well.
Since starting her new career, Knowles feels like a new person.
“I’m just happy,” she says.
Knowles’ next goal is to find a book deal for her novel (the topic of which is hush-hush). When asked what happens if you don’t get a book deal, she replies: “I have no idea. I’ve never been the kind of person to figure ‘what if,’ because I think if I did do that then I would be more afraid to try it than I already am … I have to at least try and if I think about ‘What will I do if it doesn’t happen?,’ then I won’t end up trying at all.”
Many of us want to pursue our passions and live the life we’ve always wanted. Knowles was able to make her dreams reality by applying tried-and-true steps:
1. Make a plan. We can’t figure out a path, until we know where we’re headed and the final destination. Your path may change, and that’s OK, but give yourself some good direction and it will make the journey more enjoyable.
2. Enlist help. Knowles’ husband was an excellent support in helping pursue her dream. As much as many of us would like to ignore the fact, we can’t do it alone, and understanding from friends and family can be an essential component to success.
3. Take action. We dream, we talk, we may even do a little research, but the key component is to take action. That’s the first step for any successful conclusion, and you can’t get anywhere until this happens.
4. Rise above. Fear is a natural thing; it happens to the best of us. So, know it will arise at some point, and rise above it! That will be the first day of the rest of your life.
Doni Luckett is chief executive of Divine-Basics.com, which produces lifestyle products to reconnect with moments that matter. Your questions may be addressed in the column by e-mailing enrichyourlife@divine-basics.com.
