When I think about what to say sometimes, I have to remember that I’m not like you. You have to remember it too. That way we can both live our best lives.
I Work Every Day
I have a minimum amount of work I do every day. I do some coding, some video work, some writing, and some learning every day. Some days it may be lighter than others, but I do it every day. It’s just part of what I need to do to stay ahead.
When it comes to decisions, I’m the guy. There’s no one to point to or lean on; it’s me. I have people that work for me that make decisions for what they do, but the final say all comes down to me.
My pay is not steady or not secure. If I do poorly for the week, I make less. If I do well, I make more. It’s not a predefined amount of cash. There’s no bi-weekly paycheck direct deposited into my account.
And that’s the way I like it.
I’m not Like You
I enjoy being self-employed. It’s the only way that makes sense to me. But I realize not everyone is like me.
You might want it differently. You might like a steady paycheck. You might like not being the final say in what gets done. You might like simply working a pre-defined number of hours and being done.
I’m not like you and you’re not like me, and that’s okay. We all want different things from our life and our careers.
Some are content to work for other people. Some will simply never be satisfied if they don’t work for themselves. Some will pour their work into their families and their homes.
We’re all different, but there are still some things that are the same.
Being You
Maybe when it comes to doing what you’re passionate about, that has to be your day job. Maybe you’re content just to have a day job you enjoy and a hobby you’re passionate about. Maybe you work for yourself whether that’s something you make money at or a home and family you nurture and grow.
Whatever it is, it’s sometimes hard to know where you fit. Even if you know where you fit, it’s sometimes challenging to know how to make the most of where you fit.
To be the best you with your productive time, there are three simple steps you can take. Even though you’re not like me and I’m not like you, we can still all take these steps to make the most of our daily effort:
- Know Thyself: Take the time to understand who you are and what you’re about. Do you have to do what you’re passionate about as a day job or is a hobby enough? Do you have to start your own business or are you happy to work for someone else? There are no wrong answers as long as you honestly evaluate who you are.
- Do What You’re Passionate About: If there is something you really love doing, do it. Stick with it. Even if it’s a lifetime hobby and not a day job, do the thing you are passionate about. It can even feed your day job with ideas and energy.
- Do Work You Enjoy: If you don’t work for yourself and you don’t have a job where you can fulfill your passion, then make sure it’s work you enjoy. Sure, you may not write about sports for a living, but you may have a job that connects you with people who love to talk sports. Don’t settle for a day job you hate just to enjoy your passion in the off hours. Find a job you love.
We may not be the same, but we can all enjoy being who we are. I’m not like you, and you’re not like me, but there are still fundamental needs we all have. Find your passion. Enjoy your work. Have fun, no matter what you’re like.
