The Unfocused Life wrote a post called On Balance where he described his return to writing. Though I never left writing nonfiction, it wasn’t until my 30s that I decided to seriously begin writing fiction.
I learned early in life that I have to be an active participant in my own life to ensure my dreams come true. Though there are many stories I can recount that soldified this for me, there is one that has had the most influence on me.
When I was 18, I went out on a few dates with a 45-year-old dentist. Yes, I prefer older men but that’s a topic for a different post. J
Once during dinner I asked him why he chose to become a dentist. His response surprised me. He said his lifelong dream is to fish. And although he went fishing just about every weekend, he wanted to do nothing but fish all day. His career as a dentist afforded him the opportunity to retire at age 50 so he could fulfill his dream. Yes, he is wealthy. And yes, he did retire at the age of 50 so he can fish.
When I started my business at the age of twenty-five (somewhere around that age) the first person that came to mind was the dentist. I knew that my business would give me the flexibility to earn a living while pursuing my life goal – to become an author and artist.
For five years I lived and breathed my business. Everyone that knows me thought I was nuts. “Balance,” they cried, “You have to find balance.” I didn’t see it their way. I was happy to build my business because I knew that my plan was going to work. Besides, my business consists of writing and public speaking. Two activities I enjoy so work never feels like work.
That said, anyone who ever started a business from scratch understands the amount of hard work and commitment it takes to pull it off. So although it didn’t feel like work (most of the time), all my efforts were put into my career.
Fast forward to my early 30s: my first book was published and I started taking guitar and painting lessons. The sweat I put into my business in my 20s has paid off. I now have the flexibility and resources to begin my second life.
In the end, I had to pace myself. I couldn’t have it all at once. Some “wants” were put on the back burner while I concentrated on my sweet dreams. And it was worth it.
(This was written as part of the AW Febuary blog chain. Next in line is Spontaneous Derivation. Visit her site over the next couple of days to see her take on this post)
