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I have this bad habit of putting all of my eggs into one basket, hoping that something fruitful will come from that one basket. Of course, it usually doesn't. If logic could, it would say "Duh" to this habit of mine.
I've been trying to figure out why I do this. I think it has something to do with my fear of failure. If I put everything into one basket, or one idea, and that idea fails, I only failed once. Okay, I can deal with that. But, if I put my eggs into a bunch of different baskets, and none of those provide success, it's a lot more failure, and a lot more disappointment.
One of the reasons I want to get into freelancing is because I don't want to put all of my eggs into one basket anymore. I know it's a bad practice, and I want to change that. Although, when I made the decision to start pushing towards freelancing, I didn't realize this was a reason, at least not consciously. All I knew was that I wanted to write, and I wanted to be able to a living at it.
And my thought was if I can break into freelance, then if I don't ever break into publishing, it would be okay because I would still be writing. My other thought was that I know most published writers don't quit their day jobs. If I do get published and I can't quit my day job, then I at least want a day job that I enjoy.
So here's to me not putting all my eggs into one basket.
How about you? Are you focused on just one dream, or do you spread your net wide?
And my thought was if I can break into freelance, then if I don't ever break into publishing, it would be okay because I would still be writing. My other thought was that I know most published writers don't quit their day jobs. If I do get published and I can't quit my day job, then I at least want a day job that I enjoy.
So here's to me not putting all my eggs into one basket.
How about you? Are you focused on just one dream, or do you spread your net wide?
I'm actually poly-dreamistic myself. Sure, I have the big ones (you know, books in print, etc.) but I also have others like learning to draw, getting back into horse riding, open water swimming. These things won't pay the bills, so I'm grateful for my day job, but I think it's important to open up to being a multi-faceted person and that means looking for new dreams and goals all the time. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking post:) I try to "spread my net wide." It's based on past experiences. Now and again, I make the mistake of falling back into old habits & place everything in one basket, but I'm sorry afterwards!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm probably a little of both, but more of the putting all of them in one basket. This is very thought provoking and I love your outlook, how you're being so positive and most of all coming up with a plan! Very smart :) Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll succeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to cast a wider net. I'm back in school to learn something else I absolutely love. Then I'll meld all my degrees together into a career.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course keep writing.
But it's hard to put eggs in multiple baskets because then I'm worried about spreading myself too thin and dropping the baskets and then all the eggs break.
And we know what happens when eggs break. (The king's men and horses can't put them together again.)
Thanks for the follow!
Julie - I agree it's important to open yourself up to find new dreams. I'm constantly thinking of new things that I want to do or learning someday, like learning guitar or taking a criminal psychology course. Things that I want to do just for me, though not as a career. For me, the trick is to acutally do them. :)
ReplyDeleteOlive - I agree. I'm working hard to spread my net a little wider because putting all my eggs in one basket often hasn't worked out in the past!
Crystal - Thanks! Now that I have a plan, hopefully I can follow through with it!
Stephanie - That's a worry for me, too. We have to be very careful not to try to take on too much at a time. And good for you for going after what you really love. Good luck!
I love Julie's word and am going to go with it: poly-dreamistic it is!
ReplyDeleteI have so many dreams in so many areas - some big, some small and easy to achieve, many not even about me. Dream big. Dream often :)
It's great to dream and I like Julie's word - definitely poly-dreamistic! Hope you are successful on all fronts..:)
ReplyDeleteJemi - I think it's good to have dreams in all ranges, big and small. Achieving the small ones can help motivate us while going after the big ones. :)
ReplyDeleteL'Aussie - It certainly is great to dream. :) And thanks!
I have only one dream but I have a day job that doesn't bother me too much and pays well. So I'm set I think. As long as I have books and my mind, I'm good. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty satisfied doing a lot of things so... I don't know. When I do decide I want to try something new, I jump in with both feet. Guess that means I'm both kinds?
ReplyDeleteI'm a one basket kind of girl and it's a hard habit to break. Here's to hoping we one basketers can spread our wings!
ReplyDeleteHannah - That's great that you have a day job you can live with. Sometimes that makes a huge difference. :)
ReplyDeleteJolene - Being both kinds would be okay, too. It's good that you're not afraid to jump in with both feet. Sometimes that's a really difficult thing for me to do.
Kelly - It is a hard habit to break! Good luck to you! :)