Why is it that our society clearly celebrates the chance takers, yet we rarely encourage one another to take chances–especially those people closest to us?
Almost all your favorite artists quit the traditional to pursue their dreams. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates dropped out of college to pursue their passions. Regardless if you wanna be in art, or film, or accounting, or a pro athlete, the story is the same.
Go tell your husband that you’re quitting your well paying job to pursue a career in video and film. Or go tell your parents you’re dropping out of college to pursue photography full time and see what they say.
I’m not saying quit your day job on the spot. But I do find it strange that our culture by-and-large celebrates those people who have taken non-traditional paths to success, but yet it rarely encourages people to take those same paths when success is only a distant dream.
What is wrong with us?
Take that chance. And encourage others in your life to do the same.
Fighting to achieve something makes it more rewarding.. I grew up poor and with very little. I have fought for everything. Sometimes people don’t help because they are never asked. Maybe try asking for some help instead of permission..?
The successful risk takers are celebrated because it is rare. If everyone took similar risks, the stories would be more common. Its never too late, its always Now .
Great post! My husband and I live an off-the-beaten-path lifestyle and love it. We always encourage others to live their dreams, whatever they may entail. What else are we here for?
It’s not that easy. How many people like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs do you know of? The computer OS market is pretty much closed to new ideas now. Same goes for a lot of other places. For every 10 people that drop out of college, 1 might become a successful millionaire…the rest, garbage collectors and janitors. It’s a very risky decision.
Maybe those statistics seem harsh, but the statistics of not ‘making it’ might be even worse. I guess it comes down to how much are you willing to risk AND assessing how your risk plays within the current market. Windows and Mac wasn’t around then yet people were starting to see a rise in computers. It made sense to go into that. Photoshop didn’t really have any (worthwhile) competitors so it was a good idea to ‘risk it’ back then.
Amen brotha!
I spent 11 years in a “Corporate gig” 5 of those of which I don’t regret 😉 but wish I had the “kahunas” to have taken the jump earlier.
Funny thing is Chase, it wasn’t until I heard a podcast on LightSource with you interviewed did I decide to plan the jump into my dream of commercial photography.
Thanks much man for your encouragement and voice in the industry!
Cheers,
Rick