Money vs. Love...

I’ve always had some whimsical idea that I could mosey through life getting my money for nothing and my chicks for free. Apart from being woefully mislead by Dire Straits (again), evidence has suggested that shit generally piles up faster than wishes such as this come true. (Unless you wish for shit, because in that case, everybody wins).

If you can’t get your money for nothing and your chicks for free, somewhere along the line you have to choose some sort of “career path” - preferably one that makes you semi happy. At least.

Some people, myself included, struggle to make a five-year plan, let alone consider anything longer. In such circumstances, you may fancy yourself in romantic terms… as a Soldier of Fortune, an Autumn Leaf in the Wind, or a Wild Stallion - just taking a wee nibble from the oats here and there. Your parents will generally not take such comparisons of yourself seriously, and will recommend that you get a real job… (they may also ask whether you dressed yourself in front of a full length mirror).

Personally, I may not have a five-year plan, but I do recommend you set yourself little daily affirmations to make yourself feel good. My personal favs include:

“I didn’t get fired or arrested today.”

“I mean for my hair to look like this.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing - but no one else knows that.”

“It’s o.k. to be sweaty - the climate is humid.”

… And so forth.

However at some point you are going to have to make some important career decisions. And the big question is often… do you primarily focus on the pursuit of financial gain and material possessions? Or do you follow a passion, no matter how unimpressive it may render you at a future High School reunion. (By the way, you can always choose not to attend your High School reunion).

There are some simple questions you can ask yourself, which can help determine where your true happiness lies. Does your self-esteem depend on owning the latest pair of Roberto Cavalli sunglasses?  Or are you more interested in the feelings of personal satisfaction you receive when you put a smile on somebody else’s face… no matter how unrecognized the good deed goes? Do you want to get married and pop out a couple of sprogs, regardless of how “financially secure” parents are expected to be? Or do you want to climb the corporate ladder till your 40? You can backpack through Europe and South America on a shoestring - or you can travel first-class, toting Louie Vuitton luggage from five-star hotel to five-star hotel. There is no “right” or “wrong” and you can choose from all these things… but you cannot always choose them all.

The choice between working for money and doing something out of love is not always a conscious one, nor is the division always so black and white - many people make good money and they love their jobs. The chances are that you will always work harder when you enjoy what you’re doing. And you’ll be successful.

No matter what path you take, moments of doubt are inevitable - like when somebody I know tells me they just earned my entire monthly income in three days - ouch. You may anxiously reconsider your options (“Maybe I should have taken that well-paid teaching job in Saudi Arabia” I thought… “public beheadings can’t be that traumatizing - not if its the will of Allah”). This is when you need to re-assess what it means to be successful. You may consider the idea that contrary to popular belief, success is not necessarily about money… curious.

As a Soldier of Fortune, and without - gasp! - a five-year plan, I’ve been doing alright… especially thanks to my little daily affirmation in which I focus on not getting fired (haha). You may not get your money for nothing and your chicks for free… yet. But if you’re passionate about what you do, it won`t matter – because you`ll be getting even more than that.