What’s the best piece of advice you’ve given someone that you failed to take yourself?
Don’t spend your life working in a job you hate.
I always told my kids when they were growing up to follow their passion. I spent most of their lives not following my passion and working at a job that I hated. I was/am vocal about it and a complete hypocrite.
Both my kids are in their 30′s now and they are following their passion. They are both artists and are finding a way to focus that energy in a lucrative way. My daughter is a dancer and will soon be a nurse. My ex-rockstar son spent years on the stage and now works in the mysterious world of computer innards.
Ironically, I am meeting my son today because he wants my advice about staying in a secure job that he doesn’t much care for. His third daughter on the way, I suspect I will be stressing the different passions in his life and how the priority of those passions affect important decisions…
I think it’s important for everyone to at least do what they love. It doesn’t have to make you money, but try to spend at least a few hours a week on that thing that makes you really happy.
I know from experience that being stuck in a dead-end job can be incredibly depressing. If you’re not treated the way you deserve to be treated or doing something that is only a fraction of your total capacity.
We’re not all so lucky to make money with that what we love, but at least we should do what we love. It is the only thing that keeps you sane when you have a family and finances to run – from a man’s perspective that is…
I couldn’t agree more Daan. That’s why I write. You summed it up very well…you are very good at that!
I received multiple sum up awards…
Daan, did you have to answer 7 questions about yourself when you got the sum up awards?
Yes, but questions are for the weak. So I never answer them.
Oh, shit. I just answered this one.
You’re softening Daan!
Nice work! I hope you are following a passion now. Being stuck in a job you hate is pretty bad. I call those “soul-suckers”. A family does shift your focus towards what’s best for them, and not what’s best for you for a time, doesn’t it?
You got that right Miss Diva.
I stewed about my soul-sucking job situation for a long time and even though little has changed in that area of my life, I have found a way to cope. Much of it has to do with writing, and people like you
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Hey, my daughter is a dancer and my oldest son is a wanna-be-rock star, soon to be “real” rock star, Grammy winner, if you ask him. We are the same.
Parallel lives! Except I’m a government employee, not a doctor…
I’ll be writing a post soon on ten years of being a rock-star’s dad. It was quite a ride!
Great points … so how was the meeting with your son? After all, is the term “secure job” even valid today?
The meeting went well Frank. He got a government job 3 months ago and wanted advice from a “seasoned bureaucrat” on how to deal with unmotivated power-hungry leaches. I guess I’m an expert
LOL …. So I imagine you gave him good advice.
You know I did Frank!
Been there! Done that! However, the security of the job, insurance, and a retirement plan???
Hard to turn down. Only now–looking back as a wise, elder–do I see that I made an OK decision to stay there. But, I still wish I had gone a different direction. Ahhhhh, dreams…
Your ‘stache is looking a little like Santa now.
Sounds like we have traveled similar paths. With 24 years in and less than 7 years until retirement I can’t really change direction, but I still look at job openings every day!
The mustache is not long for this world…
Most excellent advice! I’ve only spent 14 years in the work force, and I already feel like my soul has been bled dry. I’m looking to make a switch soon.
With your talent I have no doubt you will have many options. Stop the bleeding!
Red, it would only be appropriate for a cool-ass guy like yourself to have cool-ass kids. What instrument does your son play? Did he ever make it to the “big stage” ?
P.S. I’m waiting for your “Pressed” post to hit. I’m pulling for you big time here. Can’t wait to read. You called it, I can vouch.
Thanks Adam, you’re too fucking nice. We’ll see if I make the page; I think the post is pretty good (not quite finished) but you never know…post it soon…
My son pretty much plays every instrument he gets his hands on. He made a living in various bands for over 10 years and they had quite a following. I’m going to write a post about him soon but I’ll share a couple things here: Dude has his own Wikipedia page! And here he is with one of his bands when they appeared on the Henry Rollins show. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA9ruPqj930&w=420&h=315%5D Dude chummed it with Henry Rollins!
Wow. I dig it! That’s so awesome that he got to jam in front of Rollins — what a dream. It’s a different kind of sound too. I love how music is constantly evolving. There are so many different sub-genres out there now. I love listening to new sounds like this — its cool how you can hear all of the influences of other other genres within the sound. I think plain, straight-up Rock is pretty much gone!
I think you’re right about straight-up Rock, but I’ll always hang on to Zep and Clapton and Floyd. Johnny and his band toured the US and Europe non-stop for 10 years. One of my regrets is not quitting my job and being a roadie…
Rollins is one of my heroes, I love seeing his spoken word shows when he comes to town. That guy fucking rocks!
Dude, I’m a 70′s Rock junkie. I couldn’t ever give up on that shit. And your boy’s a lucky guy! I could only dream…
I’m really, really starting to get into Rollins. He’s such an inspiring character. My sister is the one who actually introduced me to all of his spoken word stuff. I think I’m gonna do the same. I’d really like to check him out.
You’d love seeing him in person Adam. Your sisters pretty smart. So glad to know there are 70′s junkies around. Johnny wrote most of the songs they performed but they did cover two great rock songs; Piece of my heart by Janis [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTv-fq9Q-WM&w=420&h=315%5D and Under Pressure by Bowie and Queen [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ATqOezSiA&w=420&h=315%5D When I heard him play these on stage I fucking cried.
Wow, pretty solid shit. I’m gonna dig around for some more of their stuff –
That’s a tough one, Red, isn’t it? I’ve always envied people a little who have found a job they love. It’s hard to stay in a job where you feel like you’re not using your full potential. A job that zaps your spirit. But then there’s reality, the financial obligations, etc. At the very least, I think it’s important to keep alive what you’re passionate about in your life, even if it’s as a hobby.
I couldn’t said it better Amy. financial obligations take a front seat some times. Passion in something is absolutely necessary for sanity. Thanks for coming by!
I’m finally following my passion. It took a while, but as they say, never late than…oh, I’ll skip the cliche. You know what I mean.
I know what you mean. Good for you for doing what you want to do. I’m glad my kids are following theirs. I however, do not practice what I preach. But I’m moving forward….
As long as it’s two steps forward and one step back rather than one step forward and two steps back, you’re doing all right.