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Lesson Learn-ing : Defining Success

Thanks to one of my lovely online mentoree’s, I read an article in the NY Times that really struck a cord with me. I read it and knew I needed to share it’s message. As a creative individual it’s almost always hard to explain to people what you do for a living, especially when you are talking about measures of success.

When I tell people that I am doing what I love and that I will NEVER go back to a 9-5 desk job, I get a bunch of confused faces…especially from the older generations. You get questions like, “what about your 401K” or “what do you do without health insurance?”. Well there are Beautician Insurance are available which guides in a very good manner. People are VERY concerned about these things and the funny thing is…I still have a growing 401K and my health insurance is better than ever; I can profess this with confidence because with what Marketreview.com has to say about health insurance, a growing 401k is a healthy sign of a good health insurance. I always opt for the best deals and my health insurance also provides critical illness cover on moneyexpert.com

In this article, titled “I Want to Be a Millennial When I Retire”  basically talks about doing what you love NOW, and not waiting until you are retired to seek out your dream living arrangement. When talking about measuring success, I loved with the article says “Maybe we need a word for “never having to sit in a meeting where someone reads long power point slides out loud.” I was like “YESSSS!!!”

The article gives you a good idea of where my mindset is on going for your dreams early. I’m not one to be ok with waiting until it’s perfect timing or for when my bank account is overflowing with funds. I want it NOW and gosh darn it…I’m gonna get it!

I suggest reading the full article –> here. I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

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26 comments on “Lesson Learn-ing : Defining Success

  1. I feel like I’ve stopped talking to people about my dreams because of this. Anytime I talk about wanting to transition from my full time job (which is actually really great)…people automatically start talking to me like I’m ungrateful or unrealistic. The way I put it, my full-time job right now is my dream JOB, but running my own business full time is my DREAM. But apparently there’s no way I’ll be able to earn as much or have the safety nets that a full time job brings…so instead I will just quietly plot along and stick with my “escape plan”, use this post and that article as more encouragement, and one day wake up and have everyone else realize I’ve gotten to where I wanted to to be regardless of the naysayers.
    Thank you for sharing!

    1. I wish you all the luck in the world. From my experience I find that a lot of the people who are negative are the ones that don’t have the courage to go after their own dreams. Forget what people thing and build a life YOU want to live 🙂

      Happy Tuesday!

  2. Yes! I read that article last week. It was a good reminder, that although I am not sure where I/my career is going, it sure feels like it’s going in the right direction 🙂

    1. Alicia,
      I think the big thing to remember when we have doubts about how things are going is to remember that WE are in control of almost everything. Kind of a freeing feeling 🙂

    2. Definitely free, but also intimidating? Have you ever felt slightly lost and realized that you can actually go ahead and do ANYTHING you want with your life? It sounds silly but the amount of freedom can feel scary sometimes, like your suddenly aching for constraints. That brain, it can work in silly ways at times 🙂

  3. I’d love to own an indie bookstore one day. I think my city could really use one, but I don’t think they’re in a place economically right now that one would thrive. Hopefully, one day…

    1. I love this idea Ren. Have you ever thought of opening an online indie bookstore in the meantime and then when your city progresses enough, you’ll have a great backbone to open that shop! Wishing you the best of luck!

  4. Ok. This article talks exactly about the question I’ve been asking myself for a few months now.
    I’ve been to university for a few years to study cultural mediation. Then did a 6 months design internship in Tommy Hilfiger that made me realize that my true self needed to do something creative. I stayed in high fashion brands to do other internships: one in Calvin Klein and I’m currently doing one in Karl Lagerfeld.
    And I must say, I think I hate it.

    I hate the fact that every morning on my way to work I pass by a perfect café where I see a bunch of freelancers opening their computers and slowly starting their day. I hate those stupid deadlines that are not physically possible but mostly, I don’t even think I want to work with clothes. Or at least not in Big Companies like that.

    Since a year or so, I’ve been self teaching myself design, going through blogs like yours, or websites with tutorials, pinterest or dribbble for inspiration and now I’m starting to take on some branding projects for friends.
    And I’m slowly realizing that this is truly what I want to do.

    So now, I’m really asking you and your readers a question. Do you think i should follow the previous plan, keep on doing internships until I get hired and then work in big company for a few years to get a nice and shiny reference on my resume to then go to freelancing and finally start to enjoy myself ? Or is their an other way ? A less long and frustrating one.

    1. Honestly, I feel you are doing what you need to do RIGHT NOW to figure out where you need to be. Without those internships you wouldn’t have this gut feeling that something might be off. It’s all about trial and error and I think you are on the right path. If you are aching to try the freelance thing…Go for it! You can ALWAYS go back and get a 9-5er if you desire later on.

      I’m a big believer in just making the leap when the time feels right. If your heart is constantly aching, this is the time to do it. Follow your passion and creative drive while it lasts. It’s always changing and I believe your career can be always changing. Nothing has to be so concrete like I feel previous gene ratios see employment.

      If you’d ever like to chat more, feel free to email me 🙂

  5. This is me right now. I’m about a full year into the completely unsuccessful job search for the perfect job for me. I know I’ll get the perfect, creative job if I keep trying, but there’s nothing like a year of unemployment to test your character and passion.

    Thanks for this encouragement!

    1. I totally understand this feeling. My Fiancé has been dealing with the same battle for years and isn’t willing to settle on just anything 🙂

  6. oh my gosh, I relate so much to this article! I get frowned upon by relatives for ending my teaching career a couple years in and going back to school to learn design. (I had to move back in with my parents at 25 to do this). Yet, my goal is to be happy and successful in my own terms, and my terms are NOT working a mindless cubicle job for several decades waiting until I can retire. My aunt is talking non-stop about her retirement and it won’t be for 5+ years! What about RIGHT NOW? I want to live NOW. Do what I love NOW. Life is too short to spend it waiting for retirement.

    1. It’s so nice to hear that so many individuals think the same way that I do. I’m baffled why there is still so much negative vibes around doing what you love??

    1. Thanks for stopping by Ciara. I think both of these articles should be bookmarked and used as ammo for explaining ourselves. kinda funny! Thanks for sharing that article. So good 🙂

  7. This is wonderful! Thanks for sharing the article, it captures so much that I have been working through recently. Life is way too short to spend it waiting until you’re too old to truly enjoy the things you want to do. I’d rather put in the hard work now while I’m young and willing to build something I adore from the ground up. It may be hard, but it will be a labor of love and seeing that grow instead of seeing hours of my day slip away wasted on a job I hate will be so rewarding.

  8. I spent the better half of my day researching firms and companies to contact after graduation. The process is terrifying and exhausting, but I’m excited to start this journey of finding my place in the design world. Who knows where it will be! It’s inspiration like this that reminds me why I love what I do and to keep chasing after what will make me happy. Perfect timing, thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Caitlin,

      Hope all is well in your world and that Senior year is treating you kindly. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need to chat 🙂

  9. I LOVED this article when I first saw it earlier this week. Since the age of 12 I’ve never wanted to work in a typical office. I was forced to freelance as a designer (albeit very unsuccessfully) while trying to find a full-time job last year. This year I was glad to find a full-time job with a team I get along swimingly with, but I can’t shake the desire to ditch that job. Now I’m reevaluating my plan to escape in a much better mindset than I had last year. It may take a few years but this time I’m dedicated to slow growth of my business.

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