I bet many of you don’t know, but I was a Private Investigator for many years. I know that sounds truly fascinating, and in some cases, it was. I was just out of college and trying to find my way. I was working as a clerk in a hotel, and as a sales person in the local department store. Back then, there was no Internet. Searching for a job was done one way, and one way only, in the newspaper.

There were columns of jobs categorized by profession or job type. With a degree in Literature, I had to look really hard to find anything that would remotely be something I could do.  I decided to circle any jobs that sounded interesting, and send in a cover letter and resume. I had nothing to lose, and sitting behind a hotel registration desk forever was enough of a catalyst to keep me searching. Then I saw it.  An ad for a private investigator.

I had no right whatsoever to pursue this job. I had no experience, no training, and no credentials. I circled it ten times over. I kept looking at it, and the words kept looking at me.  It fit. It made sense. I wanted it.Have you ever felt that way? You fall into a circumstance that feels completely comfortable? It would give you credibility, or bring you joy, or make you better, in some way. This was a step in the right direction, a profession that made me sound important, and I wanted it.

I got called in for an interview, and did a spectacular job. The job was perfect. I could be trained.

When I received a call from the hiring manager the next day, she told me that someone more qualified was hired. It made sense, but still, my heart sank. You know what I’m talking about. Sometimes disappointment rises quickly,  and you can’t stifle it back down. I believe in destiny. I felt like this job was meant to be. When a feeling is that strong, it cannot be denied. I received another phone call from the hiring manager a short while later. The more experienced person declined the job.  When that happened, I secured my place, exactly where I was meant to be.

It was a growing time, personally and professionally.The biggest lesson was knowing that there was no limit to what I could do, if I just gave some effort. This was my first understanding that I could succeed. and reach my goals.

Like most things that I do, I fell outside the norm.  A woman private investigator? A female martial artist? I was setting my own standards. I guess it was unusual,  but to me, it was in right in line with who I was: a seeker of truth, a problem solver, a believer in good, and  an inquisitive person. The same personality traits that I used to develop as a private investigator, were used to develop as a martial artist. It was during the time when I was an investigator, that I started training in martial arts. I was a white belt when I was a private investigator. These two aspects of my life, private investigating, and martial arts,  intertwined. I was learning about the investigation of others, and the investigation of myself, at the same time.

It is interesting that all this happened in my life before computers were prevalent. My desk contained a phone, a pad of paper. and some pens and pencils.  That was it.  It was the late 1980’s, and while  life seemed much simpler, finding people was more difficult.  Witnesses, accident victims, onlookers, spouses, estranged family members, and car owners were difficult to locate. Each of these categories of people was vastly different, but the process to find them was essentially the same.

I couldn’t Google a name or search public records online. I would start every investigation the same way, with a last known address, an old phone number, and then I would  pull out a big directory book that provided published phone numbers for neighbors, and I would call them.

Then, I worked any new address leads by searching vehicle records, property ownership, voter registration, jail and criminal violations, and credit histories. Most of the time, I found the person, or the “subject,”  even if they were trying their best to keep a low cover. The secret was that I was nice, and understanding. Even those who didn’t want to be found, craved that. All they really wanted, was to be understood.  Once I had their location secured, my job was done.

I had to be an “intern” for a couple of years,  much like a martial art white belt, before I could advance and receive my full Class C Private Investigator license from the state. It was a formality, but a necessary provision to the profession.  It was to ensure competency in the field and experience, so not just anyone off the street could be credentialed.  During the internship years, I learned all the skills and techniques that were necessary to be successful as an investigator. With the proper experience under my belt, I became a full-fledged P.I.

Simultaneously with earning my private eye credentials, I was earning my martial art belts.  Two paths of empowerment emerged that were predominantly male.  I was not trying to do what a man typically did, rather,  I was pursuing what was right for me. To be in a profession that was male dominated, and to be practicing a martial art, was almost an automatic success factor for me in the eyes of others. I stood out, not because of who I was,  but because of what I did.

I never planned to be a private investigator, or a martial artist.  I didn’t grow up with either of those sugar plums in my head.  I never realized that, in the long run, these two things would be the foundation for who I am today.  Both gave me confidence, and helped me to realize that I can achieve whatever I want. There are no special secrets to being an investigator, or even to being a martial artist.  Both require hard work. effort, patience, and understanding.

There is one very important technique, or skill, that can be applied to success in life. Follow every path and interest that presents itself in your life. As if circling a job from an old newspaper classified advertisement, circle your dreams and hopes over and over. Continue to pursue what makes sense to you. Go out on a limb and try something new, even if you do not think you are qualified. I knew nothing about private investigation, or martial arts, but that didn’t matter. I was a white belt when I was a private eye, and that was exactly right for me.

Andrea

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Pick up a copy of my book, The Martial Arts Woman now available at: www.themartialartswoman.storenvy.com or on Amazon: https://goo.gl/RtFSQ1.