This morning was yet another where I had to force myself to get out of bed and go into work; not because I was sick, but because I was BORED. Before I left the house, though, I took a minute to read email (of course *g*) and look at a bit of online news. I read this article and sat just staring at the computer screen for several minutes after. It was this line that really got to me:
"If you are this good at something you don't love, how good can you be at something you love?"
I have had a number of jobs over the last several years, some of which I absolutely hated, but all of which I did really well. Some of the jobs at which I excelled were ones where I didn't even know how to do it when I started; I had on-the-job-training or I self-taught. And the kicker is that I didn't like doing them. (Accounting, for example - I was really good at it but Hated it.)
So why, then, am I afraid I'll fail if I do what I love to do? It was all I could do at that point to keep from calling in my resignation. However, a bit of reality seeped in and I realized I need to plan first - I'll need to keep this job for a little longer, but that doesn't mean I can't start paving the way for following my dreams using my current salary as the base for getting there.
God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll do just that.
My fingers are crossed that you'll have a big sale and you can quit your job soon.
ReplyDeleteI love writing, but I learn something new all the time to make me a better writer. This is really on-the-job training. LOL
Thanks, Edie. Yes, it is on-the-job training, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteI still have so much to learn, but hey, I've learned how to do plenty of other things. :)
I went through a similar process. I left school because what I wanted to do wouldn't make any money and everything else didn't appeal to me. But, I had this ridiculous notion that anything that came easy to me (like writing) wasn't worth having. So, I spent ten long years hopping from one trained monkey job to another, tolerating what I did as long as I was learning, but then loathing it the minute I settled into tedium. It wasn't until I moved from the D.C. area and was able devote 100% of my time to writing that this novel happened. Most people aren't as fortunate as I was to have that opportunity (and I'm thankful every day for it).
ReplyDeleteSomething does happen, though, when you make that change; I found myself smiling more and happier to crawl out of bed in the morning.
I hope that you'll soon be able to trade desks -- the one you need to have for the one you want.
Thanks for the kind thoughts/words, Avery. I'm glad you have the chance to follow your dream - it's always good to hear when someone can - it's inspirational. :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca, if you love doing something, you will succeed at it. That's one thing I know for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. That means we're all on our way! :)
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