Below are two comments I got from my recent post, “The Sex and Cash Theory: Keep You Day Job” when it was featured on Brazen Careerist. I wanted to share theses comments for because they are great comments, and I want to encourage similar comments on this blog. And two because they are a great addition to the original post itself, with examples and perspectives other than my own. I have been questioning the value of comments lately, but these two comments have renewed my faith. Thanks ladies!
From Lauree Ostrofsky, @SimplyLeapCoach
“Cameron – loved your post and book review. You’ve convinced me to check it out.
I am living the Sex and Cash Theory right now. I am self employed with two divergent careers happening simultaneously, one that I love and the other that pays my bills. At times I feel pulled in different directions and want to jump ship.
However…maybe it’s the life coach in me and the see-the-glass-as-half-full view I have. As I read your post I kept thinking that the labels “Sex” and “Cash” can be perceived as one is good and the other is bad.
If you feel that you’re slaving away in a job just for money then, guess what, it’ll be harder to get yourself out of bed every morning. If there is any possible way (and believe me, there always is) to see the value in your cash job then everything will look up.
By value I mean, feeling satisfied, successful…not just that it helps you afford to do the sexy job. You like it all by itself.
Meaning, if you are happy all day long you will be more inspired when you do the work you love. Simple concept. The more you see one job competing with the other, or that you are “forced” to live this dual life, the more that thought will get ingrained and it is ALL you see.
If you see your cash work instead for its potential – an opportunity, perhaps fodder for your writing/acting/sexy job, a great group of people to be around – it becomes less “I have to do this even though I hate it.” It becomes more “I get to do two things that I enjoy”.
I understand that seeing it as Cash and Sex could be a motivator for some, but for those who are seeing this as a downer, you always have a choice. You get to choose how you view what you’re doing, and in the process to make yourself happy and successful.
I’m pretty sure George was a happy guy regardless of his acting gig and, well, Nick Cage seems a little disgruntled. Don’t you think?”
From Sadya Siddiqui, @maverika
“ok i waited for your post be featured here on Brazen so that i can go overboard with praise. here goes:
By far one of the best posts i’ve read here on BC. they have been so many expert opinions on how to/when to follow ‘your passion’ but keep the day job , no say some keep the day job , others say just jump ship. i think how you’ve bifurcated and kept it very action-oriented is what i really like about your post. Perhaps as you said in the post , that becoz ur an economics grad that you have been able to formulate this idea better. i think so too. We have this network here on BC called slash jobs and your post gives alot of perspective to those who have slash jobs and are wondering if & when they cud choose one job.
Concrete advice with set barometers, this is why I like BC so much.
I also going to link this to a question which Ryan Paugh posted a couple of days ago on what kind of blogs do BC ppl like . Jamie Nacht Farrel’s (@educationut) blog is one that made me take out a calculater & pencil. She shares her knowledge of consultancy & sales on her blog and that has been so helpful. Bloggers who share their industry knowledge & convert their blogs into open source , now thats the real stuff.
Oh and ur good too Cameron.”
Are you in a similar situation? What you have a day job that pays the bills, but work on the side on a passion project that you hope to make into a career?
Share your story below or write a full-blown post and contribute to the blog.
