The Secret to Success
Updated: May 21, 2019
I've heard a lot of opinions over the years about how to be a successful author. But I'll always remember the one idea of success that has stuck with me since the day I heard it.
That quote, that idea of success has always been ingrained inside me. To this day, years later, I cannot forget it.
The idea of making my vocation my vacation is a rare one, I'll admit, as most people go off every day to a "day job," complain about being there, and then come home and rest and get in whatever little writing time they can after relaxing and making dinner and spending time with their families. They might also get in a little #writing time on the weekends, holidays, or whenever they have free time on their lunch hour. For me, however, I've chosen not to work a "day job". My job is writing. Even though I haven't made much money from it to date, it's what I dedicate all my daytime hours to. When my family goes to work or school, I spend my hours writing or editing. I've sacrificed the luxury of the extra income and we live on only what my husband brings in because I can't get over what Mark Twain said, "The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation." For me, that means writing. It means spending my hours creating #novels. Even if I'm not getting rich or even making money, my job is writing but my "vacation" is making fantasy worlds for others. That is #success to me. It isn't defined by the amount of money in the bank. (Obviously, because I drive a 2004 Chevy Cavalier.) Success is defined by the lack of stress when you're at "work" and I think that is the point that Mark Twain was trying to make when he said this quote. You can define yourself as successful when you can say you are happy in what you do. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, but it matters if you are happy. I know I am happy in what I do. I wouldn't choose to do anything else even if I could. I take my work with me even when I go with my family to the beach every year. My computer and notes go with me. I never tire of writing. That's the secret to success. Find something you love and do it with all your heart. Make your vocation your vacation. Make it be something you want to do, not something you want to escape from. I know it works for me. Does it mean I have to make sacrifices? Yes. But it's worth every bit of them. Hopefully someday I'll make money. But if I don't, I'll have always been happy.
©MegS
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