In 'Big Magic' Elizabeth Gilbert has a really beautiful and brutal takedown of the idea that your art has to pay your bills. After reading her book, I decided to stop 'corrupting both goals' by demanding my art pay my bills, and found a way to do my art on the side, so I could just have a job. It's been a lot nicer, both on the artistic front and the financial side.
What surprised me was, that I could find another avenue for my art. I learned a new instrument and joined a band. I had a totally new outlet for my creative self, exclusively on Friday nights for band practice, and it meant I could be a lot more forgiving about taking writing work that wasn't artistically fulfilling, if it paid the bills well.
This resonates with me so much Rob. I love your approach of telling stories for founders and leaving this as your creative outlet. I’m thinking about all the same things.
I'm a product manager for an investment bank and I also practice something called High Magick which is a form of spiritual work and the premise of my business that I run in parallel.
It's totally possible. Versus seeing them as two separate things and trying to achieve a balance (which I don't believe ever exists), I see them as feeding off each other, When one lacks something we meaningfully need, the other provides it.
Hell yeah Sonal, really appreciate that distinction. I haven't experienced it yet, but I can sense it's possible to create a mutually beneficial relationship between all the things I'm doing. Like, I can logically see how it would work, and how all the pieces would fit together, but it's hasn't quite clicked at an emotional/embodied level yet. Feels theoretical.
So yeah, would definitely be curious to hear more about how you've created a life where the pieces support/feed off each other.
I feel this bro. I’ve tainted multiple callings by trying to jam them into the money-making machine. Fortunately, as soon as I stopped, the weights were lifted and they could breathe again. Now I’m doing something similar to you - use my accounting and finance skills to help businesses in my community and fund my fictional storytelling!
I can completely relate. Appreciate your honesty
Hey Mitch!
Hi Pat! Yes, it's me
In 'Big Magic' Elizabeth Gilbert has a really beautiful and brutal takedown of the idea that your art has to pay your bills. After reading her book, I decided to stop 'corrupting both goals' by demanding my art pay my bills, and found a way to do my art on the side, so I could just have a job. It's been a lot nicer, both on the artistic front and the financial side.
What surprised me was, that I could find another avenue for my art. I learned a new instrument and joined a band. I had a totally new outlet for my creative self, exclusively on Friday nights for band practice, and it meant I could be a lot more forgiving about taking writing work that wasn't artistically fulfilling, if it paid the bills well.
You'll find the balance, just keep shifting.
This resonates with me so much Rob. I love your approach of telling stories for founders and leaving this as your creative outlet. I’m thinking about all the same things.
Thanks dude!
Onwards and everward ✍️🙏🏻💙
I'm a product manager for an investment bank and I also practice something called High Magick which is a form of spiritual work and the premise of my business that I run in parallel.
It's totally possible. Versus seeing them as two separate things and trying to achieve a balance (which I don't believe ever exists), I see them as feeding off each other, When one lacks something we meaningfully need, the other provides it.
Hell yeah Sonal, really appreciate that distinction. I haven't experienced it yet, but I can sense it's possible to create a mutually beneficial relationship between all the things I'm doing. Like, I can logically see how it would work, and how all the pieces would fit together, but it's hasn't quite clicked at an emotional/embodied level yet. Feels theoretical.
So yeah, would definitely be curious to hear more about how you've created a life where the pieces support/feed off each other.
You might enjoy this podcast series I did on the question of how to balance making a living with living a meaningful life https://www.bryankam.com/p/on-living-a-meaningful-life-af6?utm_source=publication-search
I feel this bro. I’ve tainted multiple callings by trying to jam them into the money-making machine. Fortunately, as soon as I stopped, the weights were lifted and they could breathe again. Now I’m doing something similar to you - use my accounting and finance skills to help businesses in my community and fund my fictional storytelling!