But, if you are secretly pining that you would rather be starting something new, writing a book or pursuing a crazy passion, you will absolutely relate to this book. In a big way.
It has become a resource I come back to again and again. You could say it helped to inspire Quixoting. You see, the passion I don't pursue has always been a burr in my shorts from a career standpoint.
The book is called How To Find The Work You Love written by Laurence G. Boldt. An innocent enough title, right? In fact, it could be viewed as yet another self-help book preaching the same old advice found in countless others. And, if you look on the web, you will find many books with similar titles.
But this one hit me square in the eyes a few years ago. There are quotes from this book that knocked me back onto my rear end. And it took me a few minutes to get up.
You see I have been searching . . .
If you don't know my story, I am a marketing guy. But more importantly, I am an idea guy. One that sat on his ideas for 20 years with absolutely no clue what to do with them. So they sat there. And every year they did, I felt less and less attached to them.
Deep down I knew there was a purpose for them. A time to see the light of the world. But that didn't stop me from beating myself up every time I added a new one to my idea book or re-read an old one.
Then on September 1, 2008 - nine months a five month break/job search - I finally took action. I started this blog and began sharing my ideas with the world. And I shared my psychological reaction to having done so with hopes that others might get inspired to act as well.
This book contributed heavily to the mindset that allowed my "break" to be instrumental.
If you have ideas at rest. Gathering dust. Or ideas that never even got off the page or out of your mind, that is a real shame. The world is missing out and you are not experiencing the satisfaction of creating. Creating something that was born in you.
So, here are a few quotes from the book that I hope will inspire you. They are very supportive of the main message of Quixoting: To take action on your ideas.
ON THE BENEFITS OF TAKING ACTION
“As people honor the actions they value most – by doing them – they become more authentic, more reliable, more self-disciplined. They grow to trust themselves more; they learn to listen to their own inner voice as a steady, truthful and strengthening guide for what to do next and even how to do it.”
THE RESULT OF NOT TAKING ACTION
“As long as we deny our individuality and fail to develop and express our unique talents and gifts, we miss the joy and creative self-expression. We feel frustrated, repressed and trapped.”
FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
“Only after we have
stepped out into the creative emptiness do we discover the bridges that have
been there all the while waiting to help us across.”
This last quote is similar to one I provide earlier from Kurt Vonnegut. And it was one of the toughest aspects for me.
What if I fail?
The only way to find out if your idea has value for you or others is to act on it. Each solid step you take triggers a new view as to what is ahead. It is a cool experience!
I really had no official plan on where I would take this blog or Spin Strategy (job search strategy). Of course I had some ideas . . .
So I built them and continue to push them forward. And every once in a while, a round peg finds another and people react.
An d that feels good.
