Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Stuck Between Two Paths, Don't Know Where to Go

cylon · 05-14-2009, 07:42 PM

I've been struggling with this myself for years, I went to study graphic design but I was a musician writing and recording my own songs.

Cut to ten years later-it was a constant tug of war. To excel at design I had to put in the time to improve my craft. And I also really enjoyed it as well, it was very creatively fulfilling. But then there was the music thing.

The way I have experienced this is I stayed in my job as a designer and recorded my songs on the side. Which isn't what I wanted to do, I wanted to spend all my time on music.

Now, I am laid off and again faced with this decision of "What to do with the rest of my life" already having experienced 10 years of what it's like to be a professional in something you truly enjoy, but not putting all your focus on what you truly LOVE.

So. Here's where I stand now. We make these dilemmas bigger than what they are. The actual process of writing and recording a song (even with all the technical stuff as I am a computer-based musician, writing electronic dance music) does not take that long. What takes long is the constant weighing of the pros and cons in my mind of what I should be focusing on.

The practical side says "You need a job, work on updating your design skills to stay competitive in the marketplace." The passion side says "You are a talented composer and if you put the energy into it, it will support you."

If I actually spent less time thinking about whatever sacrifices I may have to make, and worrying about it, I would be further along in BOTH music AND design.

Don't allow yourself to get caught up in these dilemmas that appear to be more significant than they are. Start where you are now. You probably have the potential to be equally successful with both, you just have to move in a direction where you are "doing" more than thinking and spinning your wheels. Move past the resistance and let the momentum carry you forward.

Now for me to do what I just wrote!

05-14-2009, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
cylon Family Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,852	I've been struggling with this myself for years, I went to study graphic design but I was a musician writing and recording my own songs. Cut to ten years later-it was a constant tug of war. To excel at design I had to put in the time to improve my craft. And I also really enjoyed it as well, it was very creatively fulfilling. But then there was the music thing. The way I have experienced this is I stayed in my job as a designer and recorded my songs on the side. Which isn't what I wanted to do, I wanted to spend all my time on music. Now, I am laid off and again faced with this decision of "What to do with the rest of my life" already having experienced 10 years of what it's like to be a professional in something you truly enjoy, but not putting all your focus on what you truly LOVE. So. Here's where I stand now. We make these dilemmas bigger than what they are. The actual process of writing and recording a song (even with all the technical stuff as I am a computer-based musician, writing electronic dance music) does not take that long. What takes long is the constant weighing of the pros and cons in my mind of what I should be focusing on. The practical side says "You need a job, work on updating your design skills to stay competitive in the marketplace." The passion side says "You are a talented composer and if you put the energy into it, it will support you." If I actually spent less time thinking about whatever sacrifices I may have to make, and worrying about it, I would be further along in BOTH music AND design. Don't allow yourself to get caught up in these dilemmas that appear to be more significant than they are. Start where you are now. You probably have the potential to be equally successful with both, you just have to move in a direction where you are "doing" more than thinking and spinning your wheels. Move past the resistance and let the momentum carry you forward. Now for me to do what I just wrote!