[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/OrganicCubeFarming0807.mp3|titles=Organic Cube Farming with Dwight Schrute]I’ve been consuming SO MUCH stuff lately regarding entrepreneurship, career, and all that surrounds those areas. It is kind of funny because a few years ago I was diving into this whole arena, but from a different angle with some different business opportunities (which I still pay for every month…Dave Ramsey calls this ‘Stupid Tax’), and I really had no idea what I was doing. One of the guys that I have been learning a ton from is Kevin Miller, who runs a community called Free Agent Underground. In one of his latest blog posts/podcasts he talks about the dichotomy that exists between the painful laughter caused by shows like The Office and comics like Dilbert and the valiance of the epic stories that portray the ‘above the law’ guy and ‘heroes’.
We are drawn to epic stories, filled with adventure, intrigue, and danger, but then on Monday morning we head back to the cube farm to live out our Dilbert fantasy.
Yesterday, as my wife and I were discussing life, love, and other mysteries, she kept going back to one point. She has a difficult time understanding if it is a man thing to have at least a portion of your identity tied to what you do to earn your living. When she worked outside the home, she said she was content to go to her job, earn her paycheck, then go home and do things that she wanted to do. My issue with that is that I can’t get back those 8 hours I just spent doing something that I don’t love. As long as she has known me, and frankly for as long as I’ve known myself, I’ve struggled with this very issue. Currently, I’m a card carrying member of the Organic Cube Farming Association of America. Personality wise, I’m probably somewhere between a Jim Halpert and David Brent from The Office UK. But, I am not what I do for money. Far from it. Am I good at what I do? I’d say I’m good, but there is always room for improvement.
I’m not sure it is an identity issue. I’m a lot of things, but Organic Cube Farmer is far from what I’d identify myself as. For me, it is a values issue. I value my time, energy, and talents so much more than to simply give them away for a few silver coins. I want to do something with my time that adds value to the world, something that helps others in their 0wn journey.
What about you? What is holding you back from living the epic adventure that you dream of? Are you content, like my wife, to simply get money for your time so then later you can do whatever you want? I’d love to hear your thoughts..chime in!
Until next time…
