To Be Young, Gifted and….Broke

Ok, so I’m not exactly broke, but the title “to be young gifted…and not as financial secure as I would like at this point in my life” seemed a bit verbose. No? Plus it obscures the song reference (inserted below for your hearing pleasure, try not to catch the spirit).

Now, I’m sure some of you have been asked this question more than once, “if money weren’t an issue, what would you be?” As, I stated before, uncovering the answer to that question can take awhile, and it’s not always something that is static. In life we may become many things. Even though I like what I’m doing now, I’m still not sure I’ve figured out if this is what I want “to be.” I just know it is what “I am” at the moment. But more importantly is the reality that money is an issue. It impacts our life choices and shapes our journey of “becoming.” After all, I am not trying to live with my parents forever. One day I would like to be married and have a family of my own, but that requires money. Although my parents do not mind me staying with them at this point in my life, I foresee their tolerance declining if I try to move a spouse and children into the downstairs’ room along with Benji and me. Therefore, my financial situation will need to improve. And if what I am doing at the moment does not prove to be financially sustainable, I may need to regroup.

So how does one navigate financial obligations while following your dream? I’m not sure; after all, I’m still figuring it out myself. But I’ve come to realize that meeting financial obligations may require some creativity and finesse. Sometimes your work schedule may include a hybrid of having one foot in the door of your new business while having the other foot in the dream job you hate. Or as I said to my friends the other day, “sometimes you have to work three jobs to have flexibility.” Even though I started my own business, I still work as a lawyer and professor while I wait for my business to become sustainable. The key is to not become stuck in thinking that your source of income can only come from one place, or thinking that while you work one job, you cannot also pursue your dream job. With some innovation, you may be able to do both.

However, as you peruse your dream and meet your financial obligations, I would keep these few things in mind: (1) Dreams do not come without sacrifice and (2) recognize when you’re chasing the wrong dream.

Sacrifice Comes With Following Dreams

Perhaps this is cliché, but sometimes you have to work jobs you do not like in order to get to the job you really want. As they said in the movie The Great Debaters, “We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.” I must confess, however, that I erroneously believed that by acquiring enough education I could avoid this step. Didn’t education mean I would be guaranteed a job I love? Not quite. The possibility of working unwanted jobs is ever present for most people regardless of whether you have three degrees or a high school diploma. Financial obligations may force you into an occupation you do not like, but this should not be seen as a setback. Rather, you must view it as a necessary stepping-stone in the realization of your dream. It is not a permanent position, just an uncomfortable transition.

Deciding When To Chase Another Dream

Occasionally, our financial obligations serve as indications that we are chasing the wrong dream, or that maybe we need to refine our dream. Yes, obstacles may be there for you to knock down, but at times they are there to redirect you. Abraham Lincoln tried many different occupations, including buying a general store with a partner. The store failed, and he went bankrupt. He lost all his assets and spent years repaying his debts. I’m sure Lincoln felt like a failure going into bankruptcy, but this financial setback was necessary in redirecting him into an even greater occupation: President of the United States.

Likewise, if your financial obstacles seem to be hindering your dream, maybe they are there to redirect you to something greater. Recognizing which type of obstacle you have encountered is an important tool in the journey of realizing your dream. This a process, and you certainly will not always get it right. Lord knows I do not! But that’s ok. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s growth. So live courageously, learn and grow. If you make money in the process, great! If not, eh. . .maybe it’s because you’re meant to be the president.

–Until Next Time–

Palooke