Someone recently asked me what it was like to be in my profession as a Graphic Designer/Web dev/Tech Illustrator/UX-UI Designer etc.
My answer was simple.
“You give it your all for a year or two or three. You stop vibing with the people who aren’t as driven as you are. You cut back on distractions, parties, and other fun activities and load up on stress and sitting in front of a screen. You constantly feel like you’re burning yourself out yet not doing enough. Then comes the crucial point…..
You have no idea whether all of this will pay off or not.
I’ve had many great work ideas that I put hundreds and thousands of hours into only for them to fall flat.
All I could do was pick myself up and try again.
The saying goes, “The man who loves walking will walk further than the man who loves the destination.”
In everything I’ve seen, this is true – for one simple reason.
We have very little – if any – control over the outcome.
Markets can crash, putting you out of business. Partners can change, ruining your relationship. Your kids can choose a path that shatters all the dreams and hopes you had for them.
That’s why the only things truly worth doing in life are the ones where you fall in love with the process. Ask yourself:
“Is this about the climb or the view from the top?”
Be honest.
The outcome might not always be what you want it to be. But I believe that if you find ways to fall in love with the process – or be prepared for disappointment when things don’t go as imagined, you will be happy to accept the alternative outcome that comes your way as a result of the hardwork. You may not get your dream job at the Big NGO or GO, but because you did something out of the love of doing it, you might find yourself in a more special place just because you trusted the process.
Just Nike it Brolyn! (and you too, dear Reader!!)
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