We had the good fortune of connecting with W. / William / Bill Sterchak and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi W. / William / Bill, why did you pursue a creative career?
It really wasn’t a thought out or well-planned decision rather it just sort of evolved. I suddenly found myself with free time and an empty house that needed furniture and enhancements. I had some experience, tools and materials so I started planning, designing and making art for my home. In a short period of time there was a surplus and i wanted to change things around so I started selling my work. I think the money for doing something one likes doing was a documented ‘key to success’ I had once read somewhere.
I continued with different paths of art and developed painting with words or writing. Amusing and entertaining short stories, documenting science experiments, gardening and of course traveling. I think it was a combination of common sense, a lifestyle change and being accountable for and to myself that was the draw or appeal. Some days I do art projects, some days I write and some days I just read or don’t do anything.
I believe planning is important as are having goals. I learned and developed those skill sets and tools in the corporate world and simply carried on after retiring.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sometimes and some aspects of my career I am actually trying to forget.
I served my time in the corporate world in electronics manufacturing, operations and systems integration. I was an individual contributor as an engineer, transitioned to engineering management and ended my career as a program manager for a major defense contractor. I like to say I got out on good behavior but that might be a stretch. At times political prisoner seemed quite fitting.
I think my most single achievement was communicating with a large, geographically dispersed team of field engineers. I wrote and distributed a brief weekly newsletter that was one page of important administrative tasking deadlines coming due, individual achievements and filled whatever gaps remained with dry humor that was informal, relaxed and well-received. I treated all of my direct reports as adults, with respect and found with such open and honest communications I had very few disciplinary problems to deal with. The jobs were clearly defined. Each did their job and the entire team was successful.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First I would tell visitors to schedule their visit carefully.
Avoid the summer.
Fall is a good time and a season pass to the Great State Fair of Texas is a good entertainment value. The food is eclectic, people watching electric and rivals an airport. There are exhibits, displays, traditions and shows so there is something for everyone. Just go, have fun and have plenty of coupons.
For out of town advenures, we would go to either Fort Worth or Granbury. Plenty of charm and things to do in both places , great eateries, friendlier people, different cultures and paces to the respective life styles.
The rest of the time just hang out, relax at home around the pool and spa, cook outrageous pirate feasts outdoors and if we drink, do not leave the premises.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At this moment in time and stage of my life, much credit and respect goes out to brain injury (TBI) survivors and the vast number of people, professional, family and friends, that are supporting and advocating unselfishingly all in solving the myriad of problems associated with TBI recovery and rehabilitation. The brain is truly amazing, incredibly complex and does heal itself.
Every person, every injury and every set of circumstances is unique and must be addressed and attacked with it’s own game plan just as every individual is totally different. One size fits all simply does not apply. Flexibility rules.
Progress is sometimes measures in millimeters and setbacks are frequent. But you keep pushing forward with determination, hope, optimism and an open heart.
Sometimes you have to resign and retool. instead of thinking ‘cured’ you just hope for ‘better’ and improvement.
Website: https://sterchak.com
Instagram: @wstechak