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.
I’m about to get my ass fired because I am so discontent with this shit…….. I have my irons in the fire, waitin for them to get real hot, then I jump….
What’s wrong with us is “love” and our survival instincts. We discourages our close ones to take chances, because we love them, and we don’t like to see them struggle in frustration or pain, especially, your spouse or kids, people who we are willing to die for. We want them to “survive,” to be “ok.”
This jump requires jump from both you and your close ones, and not all of them are ready to take that jump. You may not be afraid, but they are. They fear out of their love, survival instincts, and I guess in ways self-preservation, in a non-selfish way.
Nothing is “wrong.” This is just part of being this animal called human.
I think maybe the better question is, do you believe in yourself and your passion enough to take the jump and withstand whatever discouragement from your close ones? After all, they mean well, just not great.
Finally took that chance about a month ago – got laid off from being a full time photo assistant to being my own boss about a little over a month ago. It’s been the scariest thing ever regarding money, but the best thing since this is what I’ve dreamed of doing for so long. Some days you sit and stare at facebook and wonder what you’re doing with your life, other days you’re hitting the pavement meeting people and figuring out your next shoot. Security is a blessing and a curse at the same exact time – and especially since most people are satisfied with security it’s difficult to break that mold. But for those who do, I truly believe that it is the best thing that can happen to a person. Here’s to hard work and believing in yourself paying off!
Chase – thanks for continuing to be an inspiration and influence, and pushing the bar for photographers.
What’s “wrong” with us is that we need security, responsibility and food on the table. There is someone else who has to do the hard and “boring” work so that those of us who dream can nurture our dreams.
Let’s face it, self-expression is a selfish act, but the strange thing is that so many are blessed by it.
I took that chance. I didn’t want to be stuck having a 9-5 job. I decided to quit my job as a TV producer and focus on Photography. I started my own business and have been doing well. I only quit my job two weeks ago but I’m excited for the future. If I didn’t take this step I wouldn’t have the chance to do what I’ve always wanted. I’m 23 and have a long life ahead of me.