One reader asked, “How do I balance choosing my work with my current job that keeps me housed and fed?” After some discussion, it became clear she knew all she needed to do was to schedule in one hour each day, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Everything has a price. Many crave the feeling of vitality, but few are prepared to exercise regularly and choose a nutritious diet. Many want financial independence, but few are prepared to begin an uncertain project, work relentless hours and deal with multiple failures. Many seek fulfilling relationships, but few are prepared to develop emotional intelligence, apologize for communication errors, and seek better ways to relate to others. So when it comes to choosing your work, are you prepared to make the sacrifices needed so that your life will be centered on the thing that you love?
If you truly and deeply love your work, you will gladly suffer for it. You will give up some of the pleasures of consumption to engage in the joy of creation.
My love of writing this book was tested multiple times. While I was writing, I would think, “This is pretty decent.” But the next morning, I’d review it in the light of day, and more often than not, I would say to myself, kindly but firmly, “This is not good enough. This is not at the standard it needs to be.” So I’d delete large sections, I’d edit, I’d refine, and I’d interrogate my assumptions. Slowly, slowly, the writing started to resemble a first draft.
Then I gave the book to over one hundred beta readers. They highlighted areas needing improvement, pointed out inaccuracies and offered constructive feedback. I reflected deeply on why and how I fell short so as to find a path to move forward. It was painful, uplifting, and necessary to see my errors and omissions.
Progress is only possible through a conversation with pain.
Embrace the pain. Search for the pain. The pain is your friend. It is where the magic begins.
So is this as easy as one hour per day? No, it’s as difficult as one hour per day. Do you love your work enough to embrace the beautiful difficulty?
Now, grab your calendar and schedule your hour of possibility.
This article is an excerpt from Chapter 4 of Choose Your Work
Dan Dobos writes about decision making, personal growth, human potential, fulfillment and helping people choose the work that they are meant to do. He is the author of Choose Your Work.