We’re often deeply moved by the e-mails we get from our readers. Just recently a woman named Julie wrote, “I am so unhappy in my job, and pretty much always have been, but I can’t afford to do the things I want to do. In order to be responsible and pay my bills, I have to sacrifice want for need. I’m tired of living like this. I feel trapped and have felt this way for quite some time.”
Julie’s frustration is so clear to us that we wonder how she can afford not to make a change in her life. But her question about how to pay for this is the one we hear most when we talk about the importance of living what you love. That sounds great, people say, but the reality is that I have bills to pay!
Well, we’ve never been rich and we’ve often enough been broke, so we know those realities intimately. But we’ve also known that the one thing we could never sacrifice was living a life of passion and enthusiasm. We’d rather do without stuff than live without joy.
Fine, you might say, but how do I actually make choices? Our book Changing Your Course is a great guide to answering this question, with a step-by-step plan for getting the life you want, but the short answer is Do Your Homework. People so often tell us that they can’t afford to live their dream but then they draw a blank when we ask them, “How much, exactly, do you need?”
Until you’ve done all the research and figured out all the costs (and benefits!) of making a change, you simply aren’t qualified to say it’s impossible. You may need to modify your plans. Part of your homework is to research alternative ways of achieving your dream. You probably will have to make some sacrifices. But remember that it’s your life that’s at stake. How much is that worth to you?
Remember:
- List all the costs associated with each one of your goals.
- Don’t worry about what you think you can afford until you’ve done all your research.
- Find the right balance between money and passion.
- Don’t listen to people who say you can’t afford to do something.
- Don’t allow fear to distract you.
5 Comments
Great answer!
So many people are caught in their life by what they have been taught from birth - that they must Do something so they can Have stuff so they can BE happy!
Just turn it around the correct way and BE who you are - DO what you love and you will HAVE what you need!
But this takes faith - and work. All the values we need so badly today like perseverance, honesty, integrity, helping others… this is how you create the life you want - an Amazing Life in fact!
Nice site!
Coach Miami
http://www.self-improvement-lounge.com
Thanks for joining our conversation, Miami! You definitely “get it!” BE who you are and DO what you love sums it all up, doesn’t it?
After several years of feeling and thinking like Julie, and thanks to Michelle Singletary’s Washington Post recommendation of your book, I’ve taken the leap and given notice from a Big Office job. The leap is both long overdue and premature (because I haven’t done enough Research on the next steps yet). But I realized I needed to make that break so as to give myself the time to empty the heavy clutter from my mind, do the research your book describes so well, and make the need to change spending habits real and immediate. I plan to compose a patchwork of work that sustains me spiritually and financially. I hope not to have to sell my house but am prepared to if it comes to that. Thank you for your guidance. July 18 is my Last Day in my Old Life. Wish me luck,
Estie
GOOD LUCK ESTIE!!!!!!!!! We’re thrilled to hear that you’ve taken the first step. And don’t worry about it being premature. You’re following your heart and you’re on your way! Will you be able to join us for the live chat with Michelle Singletary on July 3rd? Keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing.
Estie, we know that today is your big day and wanted you to know that we’re thinking of you.
Live What You Love!