Comments on: Giving Up Certain Goals and Sexy Shoes

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:54:01 +0000

It’s not just in creative endeavors that people face these type of choices. Think of the attorney who really wants to work on civil liberties or environmental law, but keeps getting sucked into high dollar divorce cases.

By: Office Humorist

Office Humorist — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:07:24 +0000

Living in NYC you run into a lot of people that have to find this balance as they pursue careers in the entertainment industry (i.e. do I get a “real job”). I think if the offer helps you in your other areas (such as having money to get headshots or to do advertising) then it can be worth it.

Of course you always have to consider the opportunity costs. The time versus the payoff.

By: Lela Davidson

Lela Davidson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:45:10 +0000

Raymond, glad to be of service! Now, someone help me say no to that enticing offer sitting in my inbox….. you know, the one that has *nothing* to do with my big goal.

By: Lela

Lela — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:40:49 +0000

Thanks, John. You make some good points. But shoes are not a reward. They are a necessity. Perhaps that’s a big part of my problem….

By: Raymond

Raymond — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:11:21 +0000

Thank you. Timing: Amazing when you read something just when you are going through it.

By: John

John — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:34:28 +0000

I had a couple of thoughts:
1. Great focus. When something is your life’s work, it is important to keep that your focus. Most passed opportunities are short term.
2. The cash cow. If something can generate long term income with minimal maintenance, it can be good to keep it going to guarantee income while you pursue your life’s work. (in other words, if that one time 30 minutes would buy nice shoes, etc., for quite some time, it may alleviate stress due to reduced income while you pursue the goal that doesn’t pay well, yet)
3. (bonus) If you spend the $ on shoes (presuming it’s a reward), it should be because of achieving an important goal in your life’s work, not for the other project, anyway.