Talked to one of my clients a while back and he asked about how much I’m earning right now. (For those who don’t know, I’m currently on an on-site freelance contract which means getting a monthly pay but bound to their office.) I beamed while replying him, feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Then he told me, within three days he can earn up to thrice of what I earn in thirty days (a month). I let out a gasp filled with surprise and intrigue, which led him on to tell me more regarding his job and how he regretted not choosing this path earlier blah blah. In my mind, I started forming thoughts about following his footsteps.
The conversation left me feeling a lil’ heavy hearted and unaccomplished suddenly, but then again I thought to myself. I simply can’t imagine myself – giving out name cards printed with my heavily made-up face; wearing formal shirts; standing around in showrooms; taking a compass and showing people around the house; bullshiting about how great that (cui) resale unit is; posting newspaper ads and spreading flyers with the same horrific face all over. Blargh.
(You should know by now I’m talking about a property agent.) I realise that who else except for leaders in the property, MLM, and insurance industries will go around boasting their income? If I have that kind of wealth, I won’t even say lor. Later kena rob how? LOL. Because these leaders want people to join their team by enticing them with the amount of potential money, and the more they recruit, the more they earn.
Of course, these agents paint the prettiest pictures ever, and I can of course take the risk and try slaving towards that amount of money. However at the end of the day, will I be happy? What’s the point of working for something I don’t even enjoy doing? With this thought alone, I am hell sure I’m sticking to design. Though I do get knackered and overloaded (especially this period where I’m juggling between office, freelance, family, boyfriend, friends, exercise, food blog), I still wake up every morning knowing I’m doing something I’m passionate about. That, is the greatest motivation to push me even further.
Here’s an inspiring quote that a friend sent.
The Dalai Lama when asked what surprised him most, he said “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
Don’t work for money. Do what you love, the money will come in later. I think. Hahahaha.
Missy Lynn says:
OMG… I love that quote! That was the one that motivated me to stay out of office after my official working hours and pursue my own hobbies!
August 6, 2012 — 10:54 am
Kaiyi says:
Yeah, work is work. Life is life. Work is not life, life is not work.
August 13, 2012 — 10:24 am