First Dream Job Problems

Okay, I’ve been preaching about doing what you love, finding your dream job and all that for a while now, so I’ll assume by this point many of you have quit or been fired from your old jobs and are now in a constant state of bliss. Well that’s exactly the problem situation I’ve found myself in recently.

Confessions of an Asshole.

I used to be an asshole. Now I know there are people out there from my past who are thinking, “I bet you’re still an asshole.” But I also know there are people who know me now that are surprised (hopefully).

Don’t try to do it all at once.

It took a while for me to create this website. Mainly because every day I’d look at my to-do list and the top one would be “Build the Play With Fire website.” How daunting is that? Answer: super daunting. The thought of how much work it would take to build a full website today left me too overwhelmed to do any of it. I wouldn’t even start. What’s the point? And that’s why there’s no website and you’re not reading this. The end.

Would you rather be right, or would you rather be happy?

We’ve all been in arguments that go on so long that someone finally chuckles, “What were we fighting about again?” Then the other person chuckles. You chuckle together and almost make up, until one of you remembers and starts the fight again.

Don’t take it personally, stupid.

A lot of us are passionate about our jobs. We put in a lot of work and do the best we can. So it’s hard when other people don’t appreciate that work. Here are some simple steps to take next time you’re about to spit on the client.

The Freelance Mindset™

There are many perks to freelancing: You feel like your own boss. You can work from home. Or the park. You feel distanced from office politics. You don’t have to put in face time, or pretend to work. You’re probably making more money. etc(s). So how does that help you fulltimers?

Do what you love. Then do it more.

Back when I was anxious, I was a big proponent of “tough love.” My biggest changes always seemed to come after extreme pain, or hurt, or someone yelling at me. So be anxious. Focus on your anxiety. Spiral into obsession getting worse each day. Hit rock bottom. Big changes. Yay! There is another way, though (thank god!)

My Year of Not Looking in the Mirror.

I used to get eczema on my face when I was nervous (all the time), so I took a year off looking in the mirror. I learned to shave by feel, stare downward during elevator rides, and drive recklessly. When I finally did look in the mirror again, a funny thing happened. I smiled.