I love the subtext in your posts, and my take away is: write seriously because you love it, work out of necessity, however, not necessarily because you love it. As a sociologist, you likely say to yourself, now that’s a just enough in the glass to wash away medicinal bitterness way of looking at it….
You know, I think it’s the same in any business or industry, and writing is a business and industry. It’s absolutely the same with art and photography. I’ve seen some really high priced art that I’m not impressed at all by and I’ve seen amazing artists who struggle to get by. I had a friend take up photography and immediately start selling high dollar prints, but her ex is one of the wealthiest people in the Midwest. She’s super connected in a rich community, and she had access to be able to print large prints and put them up in a shop immediately. I have to manage my feelings of jealousy from time to time, but that’s her life not mine. It’s the same in any career. I’ve seen really talented people that are making very little money and don’t get much advancement. I’ve seen a lot of executives who were definitely not the cream of the crop. I really don’t understand why people think that there’s something special about people who made a lot of money in business, because it just isn’t always true.
When I came out of college, I went into a big six consulting firm. Everyone was hired straight out of school and you pretty quickly got a feel for who was stronger within the group. Everyone had gotten good grades in college to be clear. But some were stronger than others. Looking back now, 34 years later, it wasn’t the people who were really the most capable that ended up as C level executives. In several cases, it was the ones who were not very strong, but, they were willing to play the game. They were also white men and had all been in fraternities. Which is really just to say there isn’t a single place in life where it’s fair. There isn’t a single place where your effort or your skill 100% determine your success. You’re right in that the thing we can control is just showing up.
Another goodie. Thx. Rejection is a pisser, but denying your own gut ability and talent is an even greater pisser. Keep on writing. You are good at it.
Well said! Good luck with the new stuff!
I love the subtext in your posts, and my take away is: write seriously because you love it, work out of necessity, however, not necessarily because you love it. As a sociologist, you likely say to yourself, now that’s a just enough in the glass to wash away medicinal bitterness way of looking at it….
You know, I think it’s the same in any business or industry, and writing is a business and industry. It’s absolutely the same with art and photography. I’ve seen some really high priced art that I’m not impressed at all by and I’ve seen amazing artists who struggle to get by. I had a friend take up photography and immediately start selling high dollar prints, but her ex is one of the wealthiest people in the Midwest. She’s super connected in a rich community, and she had access to be able to print large prints and put them up in a shop immediately. I have to manage my feelings of jealousy from time to time, but that’s her life not mine. It’s the same in any career. I’ve seen really talented people that are making very little money and don’t get much advancement. I’ve seen a lot of executives who were definitely not the cream of the crop. I really don’t understand why people think that there’s something special about people who made a lot of money in business, because it just isn’t always true.
When I came out of college, I went into a big six consulting firm. Everyone was hired straight out of school and you pretty quickly got a feel for who was stronger within the group. Everyone had gotten good grades in college to be clear. But some were stronger than others. Looking back now, 34 years later, it wasn’t the people who were really the most capable that ended up as C level executives. In several cases, it was the ones who were not very strong, but, they were willing to play the game. They were also white men and had all been in fraternities. Which is really just to say there isn’t a single place in life where it’s fair. There isn’t a single place where your effort or your skill 100% determine your success. You’re right in that the thing we can control is just showing up.
Love this
Another goodie. Thx. Rejection is a pisser, but denying your own gut ability and talent is an even greater pisser. Keep on writing. You are good at it.