Doing work you love comes with a lot of emotions.
Not all are the rainbow, unicorn, sunshine type.
At times, you’ll feel sucked into a mudpit of self doubt and questions, over and over.
Really: What do you know about your Amazing Work?
What makes you think you’ll be the next best selling author, the next Nirvana or Tiffany & Co. twin?
These are the questions that bring momentum to a screeching halt. When this happens, you’ll have two choices:
- Give up.
- Move forward.
Then the cycle continues, the good days, the bad. Day after day, I hope to inspire someone to see that a better life is within their own grasp. That it is possible to do work you truly love. That life is better when savored.
The truth is: I’m no one special.
My kids sass me, the dog pukes and there are days I’d give anything to just stay in bed.
I get stuck in my own mudpits.
The reason I write is for stories just like this one about my dad.
Dad’s worked as a machine welder for over 20 years.
For fun, he sells snacks and soda to his crew; Jones Vending I think he calls it. Each month he drives to Sam’s Club – a two-hour round trip – to stock up on fresh M&M’s, Mountain Dew and Milky Ways.
“I don’t know why he loves it so much, but he does,” I told my friend. “So he told me on the phone – get this – he’s thinking about buying the junky gas station in town and turning into a full service station with snacks at the pump.”
“He said I inspired him to buy it.”
My friend stared at me. She held up her hands and said, ”Why can’t that be his amazing work?”
My self-doubt was back, and not just in my own mission. Where was the girl that believed anyone can find their amazing work? No matter how old, no matter what other people think, no matter how far out it sounds?
Really: my dad might open the most successful gas station for miles. Then again, he might fail.
In order to get out of the mudpits, we have to remember that Amazing Work isn’t about winning all the time. It isn’t about having all the answers.
I might fail, Dad might fail, you might fail.
But unless you get started, unless you keep going – no one will fail.
That’s far worse.
Consider this story a reminder to move forward. Keep dreaming those ridiculous dreams. Dare to prove yourself.
Dare to say: This makes me happy.
This is my dream.
Photo by seleniamorgillo
If my writing helps or inspires you, please share it with other people. This is the number one way you can support my writing.
xoxo Melissa
SEE ALSO:
If You Really Love Someone, You’ll Name A Meteorite After Their Blog
Rights Of Regular, Everyday People, Just Like You
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so glad I could help you through your roadblock! You are my inspiration, and I know you’ll be the inspiration for a lot of others out there!
Here’s to Amazing Work!!
I love that your dog pukes! Life is just that basic but you’re so right, our dreams can be so much more and we should never give up on them. They are ours, our gas stations, our blogs, our desire to inspire. Mission accomplished! You’ve inspired me to keep doing what makes me happy and keep my momentum going. (and you know I love that word, momentum!!!!)
Hi Katie – I do know how much you love momentum.
Thanks for stopping by.
It’s good to remember that everything has a rhythm and a cycle. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down. There’s not a great deal you can do about it but accept that nothing lasts for ever and try to do the best with what you’ve got.
Hi Tom – This is very true, about everything in life – relationships, work, perception of self. The good days don’t last but neither do the bad.
Have a great day!
please keep us updated on your dad’s project! I would love to know if he does go through with it, and the results!
Cheers, love! I can’t wait to see what the future holds. You’re gonna rock it.