Churn Your Passion into Profit: A Call to Pursue Your Dreams and Live Your Best Life
Much to the chagrin of my parents, I refused as a teenager to work for money. I worked on what I loved. Even today, my wife will tell you that money has never motivated me. It has always been about my work, which has always been about expressing myself and encouraging others to express themselves. When I was younger, my passion for doing what I wanted to do kept me constantly on the edge of being kicked out of my apartment. I spent many nights sleeping in my car with my dog in those younger years.
Most people think about a job. Young people are brainwashed and told to get a job. Older people put themselves in situations where they have bills and must have a job. This job is a big illusion constantly in front of us in our society. Rarely comes the question of forgetting money or forgetting work. What is it you like to do? For me, that is storytelling in whatever form that would happen to take, whether I wrote it or not. And, in my life, that has taken many different and beautiful forms. What is confounding and counterintuitive is that I always give away things. Taking money seems crass. And in the process, I get paid a lot…yes, in money, too. It makes no sense, but if you look, you’ll find something possibly even biblical. I like to call people such as myself blackguard entrepreneurs. We build our own companies but don’t do it in the same sense as creating a job or doing it solely for money. We create what we love to do. Maybe that’s why I named my entertainment company American Blackguard. I felt – and still feel – that rebelliousness.
I bring this to you, my fellow writer (or wanna-be writer, filmmaker, musician, composer, or whatever you would really like to be). If storytelling (or something else) makes you happier than anything else workwise on the planet, then do it. Remembering, though, that balance is vital, so put your spirituality and your family ahead of all work. You’ll need that base. If you’ve already locked yourself into working for the man (as they used to say in my generation), create an exit or transition plan. Could you write it down? How will you transition to your career as a storyteller or other creative artist? How will you transition yourself into your own business as your own entrepreneur? Don’t wait and let this appear as a mid-life crisis. Could you do it now? Think about what you really want and how you can get there. Worst case, email me. I’m happy to give you some ideas.
Only some understand a person who is motivated by passion. I’ve worked on some of the most significant publications and productions with the biggest brand names ever. Even so, before my mom’s passing, she still wondered when I would get a real job. The answer, I guess, is never. But I will continue to play at (and get paid for) what I love. But it is not work. Never has been. It is passion.
I encourage you to think about what I’m writing here and consider the same. Forget the job. Churn your passion into profit. Not only will your bank account increase, but your sense of self-worth, self-actualization, self-love, and total contentment. Go ahead, take the jump. Don’t work. Live. It is never, never, never too late. Look into your heart of hearts and dare to believe.
Like this blog? Sign up for Clay’s newsletter, which offers encouragement, skills, resources, and knowledge relating to a balanced life while writing, marketing, promoting, and living. https://claystafford.com/newsletter
