Chapter 1: The Cost of Following Your Passion

The pursuit of one’s true passions often comes at a cost.

Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash

A friend of mine has been entrenched in the corporate world for several years. Although he earns a substantial salary, he finds little joy in his work because, deep down, he is a musician.

I recall our college days when he stood out as an exceptionally talented musician, dominating competitions and eagerly discussing music at every opportunity. Recently, I posed a thought-provoking question to him:

If you could earn half of your current salary by playing music instead of working your typical office job, would you make that switch?

Without hesitation, his answer was a resounding yes!

The Reality of Pursuing What You Love

If you were to survey countless individuals toiling away in their 9-to-5 jobs, I suspect many would respond similarly. This realization emphasizes that there is indeed a cost associated with pursuing one’s passion.

This cost might manifest as reduced income, fewer vacations, extended hours, uncertainty, and heightened stress. Unfortunately, many individuals forfeit their dreams because they are unwilling to make these sacrifices. They cling to jobs they dislike for the short-term comfort they provide.

However, this very comfort often stifles dreams more effectively than a lack of talent ever could.

Imagine a world where Ed Sheeran opted for a more stable job instead of performing on the streets of Galway.

Ed Sheeran busking in Galway, photo by Galwaybeo.io

Can you envision a reality devoid of his song "Thinking Out Loud" at weddings?

It leads me to ponder how many potential Ed Sheerans have been lost to the confines of the comfort zone. If there were a gifted young person willing to endure temporary hardship for their passion, how different would the world be?

What a treasure trove of music we might have missed out on!

Chapter 2: Long-Term Thinking for Success

"Men who think in decades are dangerous." — Kris Sturmey

A significant number of people fail to recognize that the sacrifices required to fulfill their dreams are often temporary. But what does "temporary" truly mean?

For some, it may span days; for others, it could extend to months or even years. Nevertheless, those who achieve success typically do so because they adopt a long-term perspective.

They view several years as merely a short-term phase, with their sights set on decades. This mindset ultimately leads to their triumph.

Reflecting on long-term vision brings to mind Gary Vaynerchuk:

Gary first shared his content online when he was 33, a time when few knew of him. Fast forward to age 48, and he is a ubiquitous presence across the internet. His content permeates platforms from YouTube to podcasts.

Many individuals panic when they do not see immediate results within a few months or a year. However, those who think in decades understand that this timeframe is merely a blip in the grand scheme of their goals.

When you adopt a long-term perspective, every aspiration becomes attainable.

In Conclusion

Everyone must face the sacrifices required to lead their ideal life. The struggle is essential, as it underscores the value of your dreams.

If everything were handed to us effortlessly, life would lose its vibrancy, as the journey towards achieving our goals makes the accomplishments all the more rewarding.

If you’ve made sacrifices to inch closer to your dreams, remember that this phase is temporary. By shifting your focus to decades rather than years, you will find yourself reaching your goals sooner than expected.

Now, consider this pivotal question:

Would you accept a pay cut to pursue something you love?

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The first video title is Should You Take A Massive Pay Cut To Be Happier? - YouTube, which explores the implications of taking a pay cut for happiness.

The second video title is This is When You SHOULD Take a Pay Cut (Replay 6/10/2021) - YouTube, which discusses the conditions under which accepting a pay cut can be beneficial.