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I Stopped Working for a Minute and Started Thinking
Finally it began to dawn on me that my basic concept must somehow be flawed. The idea that my hard work and patience would eventually be rewarded with success by a world that was fair and had my best interests in mind must be a fantasy. The thought that I'd eventually arrive at a place where I'd never have to work hard again was just a huge, energy-sucking LIE. The whole idea was a set-up for entitlement and dissatisfaction. There's a famous saying in the entertainment business, “You're only as good as the last thing you've done.” I had always thought of it as a cattle prod, something to keep me from slowing down for a moment or risk being forgotten. But I realized that it really means that the world has an extremely short memory and that's a good thing. It doesn't mean that all effort is a waste of time. It simply means success isn't about working hard, it's about working smart. It's not the effort that counts it's the process. There's no scorecard out there except the one in my head.
So I stopped working for a minute and started thinking: What do I want? What do I enjoy doing? If I've got to work, I might as well enjoy it since there's no guarantee that suffering will pay off any better than pleasure. How can I create a business that allows me to spend my time doing something I enjoy and doesn't take over the rest of my life? I redirected my efforts and started having fun again. I traveled. I took weekends off. I slept in. I only took work I really wanted to do. Suddenly the world seemed better and easier. It was fun to go to work and everyone around me started to relax. Even my clients seemed like better people. And oddly, gradually my definition of success changed. Now my idea of success is getting to do what I love with people I enjoy everyday. There will always be new challenges. I know I'll never be through “paying” but I'll also never be through learning. And I hope to get to do both for the rest of my life. I don't believe in paying dues anymore.
Margo Chase
Principal Chase Design Group Los Angeles, CA
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It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that thinks this way. Thanks Margo!
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Wow, I feel the same way about work and success. I'm just starting out in my career, and sometimes I feel my thinking is flawed because no one else thinks this way. Everyone seems stuck in the grind of work for work's sake, without perspective or meaning. Thanks for sharing!
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What a great write up- great stuff!
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Dear Margo, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Sometimes I wonder about these very same things!
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Thanks for the bit of inspiration... and for helping me not feel guilty for taking some "me time" now and then.
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Thank you for sharing this. I recently graduated and I have felt all these feelings throughout the years I attended school. I now know that even though others might not agree with me or see it the same way I do. I know now that being enlightened in this way is the best thing that could have ever happened to me while in school. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and inspiration. Life isn't about working so much to where you forget about friends, family, and life's simple gifts.
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Wow, along with your post and others comments, I've realized we all tend to think very similarly. I'm in school as well and I always drill myself to the bone trying to do 110% in everything I do that I forget who I am as a person. I've taken these past few months to redirect my steps. While work is very important, it shouldn't take away who you are and what you enjoy. Great post!
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I enjoy your thought process. However I have another thought. What about when you are on the other end, when you are first trying to get that job to get the experience you need? The experience that will get you to your "happy place"? What do you do when all you get is "We are looking for somebody with more experinece." and you cant find that one person willing to give you that experience?
I want to be where you are, but I feel stuck! Stuck in a convenient place but 100% stuck!
I am happy for you and hope to get there one day!
Thanks for the glimmer of hope!

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