In today’s world most of us are getting an education so that we can get a job, which will allow us to retire after 40 odd years of service. Most of the time we are not doing what we love, what we have a passion for, but rather something that will generate a good or partially good income.
So you are trading 8 – 12 hours a day for a salary that can support you and your family, and most of the time it can only barely support you. You then look for an extra job, doing something you are most likely not passionate about, to add to your salary so that you can live better. But you are trading even more hours of your life away for cash, time that should be spent with your spouse, with your kids, with growing yourself, with doing what you love and have a passion for.
Breaking this cycle, I think, is difficult for many people; it is taking a journey out to the unknown, going on an adventure where you do not know that will face you around the next corner. It is a lot easier just staying where you are now and then reading about others living a better, a more complete, a more fulfilling life. Then telling yourself, it just isn’t possible for you.
I was lucky in this sense, I was working as a manager for 14 software developers, we were a new team, and we had a three year target we met within 10 months. Most of the guys and gals working for me were straight out of college, but we managed to create an environment in where we could achieve. Then it happened, business wanted to cut the team’s size because we were doing so good, why did we need everyone when we were breaking all targets and records?
I felt that all I had worked for, all the 14 hour days I had put in to make it a success, was wasted. In addition I wasn’t given the monetary recognition for my achievements with my team, that I felt I was entitled to. I got fed up and knew this is how it was always going to be.
I decided I didn’t want to stick around any longer. I needed to get somewhere I could get the recognition I deserved and where I could make some of the rules. My wife and I chatted about it and I got an opportunity as a contractor in Johannesburg, and my life changed around. I was doing what I was passionate about; I was working longer hours, 15 – 17 hours a day the first year, with commuting. But it was my passion and I loved it, I was no longer working my friends, I was flying, I was having fun working 36 hours straight.
And now I am again starting to work 15 – 18 hours a day, not just as a contractor, but as an entrepreneur that is starting off companies, loving the challenges, loving the endless hours of planning, loving the execution of plans, and loving to see the results.
I will tell you more about these businesses as the time progresses and also how I got the idea to start some of them. But you will see most of the time I took a long long long long long time before starting them and that is something I am busy changing in my life. Action is the operative word these days, ACTION.
Cheers,
The Action taking Viking
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This post is especially significant to me as I recently rediscovered my passion after a 20 year hiatus, my art, and have experienced the same sense and state of "flying", to which you refer.I actually created a series of paintings entitled, "Fly." When one is doing and becoming who they are truly meant to be,the hours seem like moments and the effort is not "work" but merely steps toward achieving one's dream.Your blog is inspiring and insightful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jude for your comment, it is wonderful to work with ones passion and love, and as you say it makes the hours fly by.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people were able to find their true calling and passion, the world would be a much better place I believe.
Thomas