Even when I graduated from college for the first time, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I was still trying to figure out what I liked to do. I kept things in my life pretty consistent. I always had a job in a grocery store which led to a management position and all the while, I kept going to school. I never went to a four year school, but I kept taking classes and I wanted to learn about things that really interested me. To me that was the most important part of school. Learning about things that I genuinely care about.
The Search is Never Perfect
If you think the first serious job you get is what you will do for the rest of you life, you have another thing coming. I originally wanted to go into the music industry whether it be recording or music theory and teaching, but I began to realize through out the years that I wanted to keep music a passion and not a job. I remember talking to a friend about his line of work and how awesome I thought it was that he could do it for a living. He then replied telling me that its great, but became dry and redundant. He lost a certain spark through his day job, but he realized he needed to pursue his love for it outside of work to keep it going. Through his personal projects and freelance work, he has been able to really do what he loves, and he hopes that some day it will be a full time gig.
You Have to be Patient
The job I have right now is absolutely awesome and I can’t complain about it one bit. So many opportunities have been given to me and I can’t be more blessed by that. At the same time, I know that 10 years from now I would love to be doing something else. I don’t want to quit my current job, but the direction within my field will be different. I love creating videos and photographs, but I want to be a part of something bigger, not for me, but for the creative community. I have found over the last year or so that I truly love to help others accomplish projects and create great work. I know that being a part of something bigger does not happen over night, but through long days, hard work, and new friendships.
The Difference Between Like and Love
Sure I like what I do at my day job, but when I see what others are doing through the help and guidance that I provide, I know that is where I need to be some day. When you like doing something you truly enjoy doing it compared to a lot of other things, but when you love to do something you take pride and make sacrifices in your life to do it. When others contact me for help I try my best to answer as promptly as I can. Sometimes I even sacrifice sleep and working on other things to get them the help they need. I truly care about them and their questions. I have a burning desire to help others do great things. It has been more rewarding than any personal project I have ever done.
You Can Make a Living Through What You Love to Do
None of us will ever have the same journey to get to where we want to go in life, but it is a fact that you can follow your passion and make a living doing it. There are numerous amounts of artists and creatives that make a comfortable living from their work. They usually say that it was not an easy or short road to success, but it is worth it. You can also not define success upon your income. A few people that I admire and follow are James White, Aaron Draplin and John Saddington. They all not only do what they love to do, but they lead great communities of people to do what they love to do as well. To me that is very inspiring and some day, I hope to help others to do great things just as they do.
How to Complete Your Search
- Never give up. When you know what you love to do and found good streams of income, make sure it is an important part of your life. It keeps us happy and fulfilled.
- Share your passion with friends and family. It is important to share your experiences with people that you love so they understand why you are doing it.
- Make sacrifices. Sometimes you have to stay up late, wake up early, or take other things out of your daily schedule. Sacrifices can lead to great change.
- Keep learning. Take some classes, do your own research, learn from others. Mentors can be more powerful than you know.
- Never Underestimate yourself. We are all more capable than most of us realize. Under pressure we always seem to surprise ourselves.
Inspiration from Aaron Draplin
It doesn’t really matter whether you are a graphic designer or not, this is a great video to inspire you, get you excited about life, and remember that we all need to get a little crazy to live our life to the fullest.
Portland/CreativeMornings – Aaron James Draplin from CreativeMornings/Portland on Vimeo.
Your blog is consistently one of the most inspiring and uplifting things I read.
Thanks Adam! Honestly, hearing that from you is even more inspiring to me. I have looked up to you my whole life. We have different interests and skills, but I think it allows us to look to each other for inspiration and guidance when we need it.