“The thing is to stalk your calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live spot and plug into that pulse.” — Annie Dillard
Life is too short to spend your days doing anything other than pursuing your ideals–living the richest, most satisfying life possible.
Easier said than done? Yeah, I know. Just like most of you, I have spent most of my adult life as a 9-to-5 wage slave. And just like you, I have way more to offer the world than the skills outlined in my job description. Rather than ignore that something more, I have set out to harness it and put it to good use. This has entailed:
- Quitting my job in favor of a more flexible freelance lifestyle.
- Prioritizing travel as a way of gaining perspective.
- Engaging in service as a way of engaging in more meaningful work.
- Maintaining creative and spiritual practices (writing, yoga, meditation, and more) to keep my heart and mind open.
Escape Artist is a place where you can read about my journey. Wish me luck … and, please, let me hear your stories of career explorations, too.
November 7, 2007 at 2:21 am
Hey! Thanks for the great comment and even better blog. Sounds like we are more or less in the same spot (quitting the job, wanting to freelance), but you lose me when you talk about traveling to Europe. Anyhow, thanks for the inspiration and amazing post about the last lecture series.
Cheers,
Tim
November 7, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Great to hear! I think there are a lot of us out there, many still waiting to declare independence.
To clarify the Europe reference(s): When I quit my job, my husband did the same that very week. It was the thing they tell you never, ever to do–quit your job with no backup–and we BOTH did it simultaneously. It was so absurd that we could hardly tell anyone, because most people would have judged us as plain idiots. But we were were seeking something beyond what our lifestyles at the time could provide, and knew we had to let go of everything if we wanted change.
Within a few days, he got an offer to work abroad for a spell. Not only that, but we each got sizable supplemental work contracts. It was all Godsend.
It’s been 7 months, and we’re off to Europe again for another of his work contracts. I am the “trailing spouse” (a term I don’t take kindly to), but I find excellent practice in cultivating my own workflow during these transitional times.
Because one thing you can count on if you quit your job is TRANSITION!
January 8, 2008 at 6:51 pm
there are many of us, i too have jumped ship. kudos to all, keep walking tall. best regards ~
February 27, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Have a nice day !