Everything Worth Having is Earned
I have to tell myself many, many times per day this very thing.
I say, “Sir, anything worth having is worth earning”. You see I firmly believe that nothing in life is ever handed to you, no such thing as a free lunch so to speak.
When things get rough, when my mind tries to trick me into being lazy, or bored, or tempts me to give up, I repeat the above mantra over and over again. I find myself saying it a whole lot.
At the gym, during the work day, playing magic, at night before bed.
I feel like it really helps me find that proverbial second wind, when all I want to do is lie down and sleep. It helps pull me out of funks and climb over plateaus and jump out of ruts.
Knowing, that I must earn everything I want out of life gives me a sense of humility and a keen understanding that nothing will be easy come, and everything I have or do will be appreciated and deserved.
This is a reminder. To me. I hope it helps you too.
Kenny Saunders – 27th September 2010
I can’t agree more.
Love the new site, I’m still digging around looking for goodies.
Lasha Krikheli – 27th September 2010
I find this very motivating so that I too can stray away from laziness, boredom, and temptations of giving up.
As a recent college graduate, I am still fairly new to this industry, even though I’ve been dealing with the web since 2004. I’ve hurt myself a lot in the last few years because of the lack of motivation to grow and learn all that I could have. Now, I find myself struggling to form an identity for myself, and take a solid direction with my career, and life (they’re synonymous to me).
I am just starting to figure things out, and what path to take. I feel that there is so much that I can do, but I am limited because of the damage I’ve done in the past; didn’t bring my ideas & projects to life, didn’t learning programming earlier, didn’t attempt to tackle difficult projects, and so forth. Now I am stuck in the middle, highly interested in both design and development, trying to chug along and earn income however I can, while working with people to help me achieve the things I set out to do.
Should I be trying to do all these things by myself—learning to code very well in jQuery, PHP, and designing great products such as this website? Is it okay for me to seek out help and guidance as much as I can, when I could take it upon myself to simply just “Google” and try to figure everything out the hard way?
Thanks to listening. :)
j.a.mathias – 27th September 2010
Lasha,
I think, the way I’ve done things, the learn it all route has been helpful in general, but sometimes I wish I could just specialize in one thing for a while and become great at that, instead of good at several things.
You are in a unique position, where you can mold your career, you just have to put one foot forward, one at a time and I promise you will get there, so long as you don’t give up.
I hope that helps.
Shawn Grimes – 27th September 2010
Very true words James. However, I for one find it really difficult to motivate myself in this manner. Actually I have a hard time motivating myself at all. I have a wife, three children, a dog, a mortgage, etc. and you would think that these things would be enough, but in the case of suffering from diagnosed depression, motivation is nearly impossible. I try, god knows I do to get going on things and after a few short hours it fizzles. I am very thankful for the bit of work I have been receiving lately but I certainly cannot make ends meet at this point and it puts a huge strain on everything in my life and just seems to make the hole deeper and deeper.
Reading your site has always been a joy for me because I can relate to a lot topics you cover and your not afraid to speak the truth. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into your work, it is very inspiring James.
j.a.mathias – 27th September 2010
Hi Shawn,
Thank you, your joy is mine. It was earned and definitely worth having, in my mind.
I hope things get smoother for you, I really do. I know things have been rough for a while, and I know that if you stick to it and never give up, you will be able to make it work.
Something else I tell myself everyday, about my weight loss journey is that “things take time, dedication and will is all it takes to pass the time.” This applies to web work as well. I’ve been at it ten years now, and I’m having a hard time finding work currently, but I know that I will find a place to work again, I just have to be dedicated and patient, as hard as that can be, it’s true.