I was having an interesting conversation with some coworkers over drinks on Friday night, and the topic turned to time… Specifically, how everyone’s “day jobs” were getting in the way of what they really wanted to be doing. For one friend, it was making a documentary. For another, it was writing music. By the time their 9-to-5 days were over they had no energy or time left to dedicate to what they love.
Now, I could be supercool and spout off all kinds of ideas around how my colleagues could be more efficient, and how they need to realign their priorities… But that would ring false. Because, as much as Iove my job, I feel that twinge of regret as well. Like my coworkers, I have “settled” for a less risky life, exchanging comfort for my dreams.
To one extent or another we have all “sold out.”
Is that a bad thing? Not at all… Unless you truly hate your job. If you do, then you are burning through the finite hours you have on this earth doing something you don’t like… If that’s the case, you have to decide if you can live with it. If the pain and frustration are worth it. Me, I’m fortunate enough to do work that fulfills me creatively and I still have enough “gas in the tank” at the end of my work week to do this, my core passion: write.
Will I ever be a best-selling writer? Probably not. But that’s not what it’s about… Even if I only have 10 readers, I still get to put thoughts down in words and express myself. I love writing, playing with words. I write because I have to, I’m compelled to. I sometimes write about things and am more forthright and open than I probably should be. Sometimes that writing stays in a file on my computer, never to be posted publicly. Usually, it’s all here, all out there. I’m an open book.
Any success, if it comes, that i will ever have writing is a byproduct of the work. It’s a indication that someone (usually many someone’s) have deemed the work to have value. That my words are worth paying for. That’s nice to know… But I’ll keep writing whether that happens or not. It’s what’s I love to do.
So, my advice to you, kind reader: don’t beat yourself up if you “settle.” You have to take care of you and yours. But don’t settle for mediocrity, and don’t do a job you hate because you “have to pay the bills.” As a famous fictional Vulcan once said, there are always possibilities. Even in a down economy there are things that you can do that aligns with your dreams, and makes you happy. Love what you do, and you will be happy doing it.