When you hear the phrase, Don’t Give Up the Day Job, you probably associate it with meaning that someone is not very good at something – as did I until recently. But when I chose to pursue a writing career, I wrestled with the prospect of doing just that … quitting my day job to chase my dream of being a successful author.
I’ve completed one novel and have three additional projects well underway, all while working full-time, so imagine how productive I could be if I could concentrate on being an author (I reason with myself. Sounds logical, right?). What if my job is causing my writing to suffer? Most of my writing occurs in the evening or wee morning hours, when I’m less awake, so perhaps my writing could be more impactful if I could do it while I’m feeling fresh. These are all things I tell myself – not necessarily reality.
To quit or not to quit. The pros flash in front of me, they beckon me – tempting me to heed the call. Not having the “day job” would free up my time to write. I picture myself joining a writing group, attending classes to study my craft, and taking the much-needed time to promote my first novel. I imagine long walks by the river while I find inspiration for my next story. I close my eyes and envision sitting on the front porch, laptop…well, in my lap…typing madly as I watch the dogs play and enjoy the warm, summer breeze (in reality, the dogs would probably be fighting, the summer air would be stifling, and I wouldn’t be able to read my laptop screen under the glare of the sun).
The cons are easy. The daunting call of rational thought invades my every decision as I mull over the reasons to keep my full-time, 40 – 60 hour/week job. Obligations. Responsibility. Money. Bills. Financial security. Not wanting to shift the load to my husband. Quitting would mean less security and sacrificing many of the comforts a dual-income provides to my family of four. The thought of giving up the motorhome or saying no to dining at my favorite restaurants is enough to give me pause (I really enjoy road trips and food).
I took to social media to seek advice from some of my writing friends. It was here that someone gave me the best insight. He told me that he quit his job to write full-time and found that staying at home without the interactions of his day job resulted in less creativity and eventually, less writing. This resonated with me. At work I am always meeting interesting people, learning new things, and trying out new ideas that spark my creativity. My interactions and experiences at work often fuel my inspiration for scenes and characters in my novels.
Armed with this insight, and evaluating my decision under a new lens, there are several factors that support the decision to keep my job. Sleep is overrated. Being responsible sets a good example for my children. Financial security frees up my mind for being creative in my writing. It’s a win-win. I’ll continue to pursue my dreams of being a writer. That hasn’t changed. I’m not giving up my passion, but that doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice my day job. At least not today. I’m good at my job. When I think about it, I actually enjoy many aspects of it. Why can’t I be successful at both? Don’t Give Up the Day Job. Sounds like great advice to me.