Since I was very young, writing has been an outlet for me to clear my head. I blast my iPod and just start writing. I don’t pay attention to grammar, spelling or punctuation. Just write what comes to mind.
It has always brought me comfort to be able to write about my thoughts. It makes things seem more clear and in some ways feels like I am getting an outside perspective about whatever is going on in my life at the moment.
I received a request for an interview next week. For a job. A “real” job. To say I am conflicted about it is a huge understatement. I feel like a sell-out to entrepreneurship for even considering a real job. And honestly the only pro I can come up with for taking it is the guaranteed salary. However, that guaranteed salary is also set. In stone.
So I sat down to write. I wrote about every thing that was bothering me about my current career path in entrepreneurship. I wrote about the obstacles but also about the endless opportunities that are always in front of me. I wrote about the differences in how you are perceived by people when you work a job in the corporate world versus blazing your own path.
But I think most importantly I wrote about what my life would look like if I accepted this job. I detailed my day from waking up to the alarm clock, to putting on a business suit and fighting traffic. Working in an office setting behind a wooden desk with only a small window. Not having the freedom to work outside or work at a cafe if the urge struck. Only being allowed an hour for lunch and having to put in eight hours of face time even if the job only required four hours of work time.
Then I wrote down what my days are like now. A little silly of course as I’m living those days. But I did write it down as well. Getting up when I wake up on my own. Working when I want on my schedule. Of course, I still work hard and I get a lot of accomplished in a day’s time. But if I clear my to do list by noon, then it is up to me whether to keep working or goof off with my husband and son for the rest of the day. At the same time, if I get a great idea for a business project at 10pm, there’s nothing that stops me from working on it.
Then I read back over those two scenarios. And the choice was amazingly simple. Even so, I will still interview for this job, if for no other reason than to keep from wondering what if. Not to mention, it never hurts to have a few more networking contacts under my belt.
My computer is definitely my friend. The outlet it provides for me is priceless.
