Featured image: “The Poor Poet” by Carl Spitzweig.
Since I was a child, people have asked me what I want to be when I grow up or what I do for work. I would tell them, “I want to do music” or something along those lines. People would then tell me, “Well, you know the music industry is super competitive, right?” Or something along those lines. This narrative has been a battle even until now, a man in his mid-twenties needing a realistic perspective to pay the bills.
Despite condescension, well-intentioned or not, plenty of people have also supported my ambitions. People have acknowledged the fact that I can “make it”. There is no need to brag; the honor is implicit—“Real ones know.” Others, even some people close to me, have told me, for better or for worse, that I am self-obsessed or selfish. These narratives, from teachers, family, “friends”, whatever, have reinforced an imposter syndrome complex. The truthful solution is that being yourself is the most significant choice.
My intention is to help the world in the best way possible, and I have faith this pursuit accomplishes that. People can say what they want about me; that doesn’t alter the facts that constitute who I am or what I do. If you work hard, you expand what is possible. It might not happen exactly as you envision, and being realistic is a crucial skill, too.
For example, someone wants to be a professional athlete. They might need talent and perhaps a particular body type that is optimal for the success of their chosen sport, such as Michael Phelps as a swimmer. Although if this person doesn’t have such innate traits, they can still find a related job in sports, even at the highest level, if they understand how to market their capabilities. Certainly, luck plays into this kind of thing, but the point is that hard work and dedication will take you much further.
To answer the question of “Should I feel selfish for pursuing this career?” No. Absolutely not. Faith in oneself is paramount. Help the world with the best functions, dawg. Self-actualization, our ultimate self, is the most valuable decision we can make for the world. Your work is necessary. Appreciate everything, do what shares the love, and improve your helpfulness and joy based in compelling authenticity.