Do What You Love, right?

originally posted on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140807163954-76982850-do-what-you-love-right

It was a dark and stormy night, oh wait.. that belongs to Charles Schulz.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, opps... that one belongs to Charles Dickens.

An old anthem that I have held on to for the majority of my adult life has been to find a job doing what you love and everything else will fall into place.

Imagine my shock when I discovered that the old anthem I have held on to is not always true.

I love to write. Writing is a creative outlet for me and can be quite therapeutic. I am able to write in several different style and enjoy writing. I have discovered however, that my career should not be focused solely on writing.

Successful people have a hobby. They have something they enjoy doing that is not a requirement of life. That is not to say that your hobby can not supplement your career.

That said, I find it interesting with a few people I know that have hobbies closely related to their career. An accounting supervisor that relaxes with Sudoku, she still adds up those numbers. A graphic designer that does landscape photography as a hobby.

This gist of doing what you love is to have an element that you can enjoy without it being a requirement. A person may love photography and enjoy taking pictures, but once that is their career it is very possible to get burned out doing it.

Everything in life is moderation. If you want to do what you love, look for a company that will provide the career you desire and has the benefits that you need while possessing a positive work environment.

Writing, Editing, Photography, School

I am having a change in my day to day routine. This semester with school I am working as a Graduate Assistant in the Communications Department at the school I am at. I am thoroughly enjoying working with one of the top professors in the department and absorbing knowledge from his experience.

I am still writing and editing, just not to the same amount I was prior. I am still doing photography also. In fact I am doing headshots next week for students preparing their social media and resume accounts.

I am taking a few intense graduate level classes that are amazing on an education level. Integrated Corporate Communications and Web Criticism and Design right now and then Communication Law in October.

Learning my trade is always exciting. Learning from professors that know their stuff is a huge blessing.

Change is inevitable

I have been taking inventory the last few weeks. Not physical what I own inventory, but the kind of inventory where a person gains perspective.

November of 2008 I met a lady that was participating in NaNoWriMo. We had decided to meet at a quaint little shop and take a risk. Both of us were leery of other people, although she was already pursuing her dreams. We met because we were both determined to write a novel in 30 days. Through that meeting, a friendship was born. We aren't do everything together friends, but we both know we are there.

Anyhow, as we were talking and getting to know each other, I found out she was a nontraditional student and she was making her dreams happen. The more we talked and I shared my dreams with her, she started encouraging me to pursue my education that I had not had the support to do prior.

I found myself with her and my husband's encouragement apply to college in Spring 2009.

I was nervous as all beat out, but I did it. There have been ups and downs, moments that I wanted to quit even. But all because one person encouraged me, I chased my dream. It took me 9 semesters to get my BA. I stayed full time and raised my family at the same time. I even graduated with honors.

During the years as an undergraduate, I had other people pour into me that they were proud of me for going back to school and also for acknowledging the gifts I have. And now, I will be entering my second semester as a Masters candidate.

Big change from the shy country girl with low self-esteem back there in 2008.

Now, this semester I will be tackling another area I never saw myself doing. I will be a Graduate Assistant, working with one of the professors and preparing lessons and teaching lab.

All of this to say, do not limit yourself to your current situation.