How do you measure success?
The good thing about being Canadian is that there is no money in Canada. Meaning, you can have success as a writer in this country and still need to have a 9 to 5 job. It kind of sucks, but it also keeps you pretty grounded. The thing that strikes me most at Writer’s Festivals is just that - how grounded the writers are and very supportive of new talent. They’re very willing to share what they know and cheer us on. Plus, Canadians are as funny as heck, so it’s always a good time.
It’s amusing how some people seem to think the following":
Ellie will write a novel
Ellie will become famous and rich (of course) and say, “So long, 9 to 5”.
Ellie will most likely not become either of these two things
Just the opposite, I think. I mean really , people, I’m currently sitting on a pension plan, benefits and a decent salary. Why would I give all that up to be a struggling artist? I’m not a bloody actor, after all.
And here is the blessing in being a writer. We have skills that make us employable in offices. (Not to put down actors and musicians, but I’ve heard more than one actor or musician saying, “Thank God I made it because what else would I do?” Unlike our unfortunate brothers and sisters of the actor persuasion, we writers can have stable jobs.
And, this I think is a measure of success. At least for me it is. I’ve started 2020 with a new attitude. Writing is my real job. My 9 to 5 is my hobby.
I took the month of January off to write and I discovered that after two weeks of being at home, I was ready to head back to the office. I wondered how people do this writing thing full time. It’s hard work! (You’ll be glad to know that this desire to head back to the office passed quickly, and I returned to my senses before calling my manager up and telling him I was coming home.)
But I digress. I still have this idea that success in writing means being published. Even though my better judgment tells me that getting published really means you have a book launch that only your friends show up to, and that you probably won’t even get a harsh critique of your novel because no one in the media world even knows you got published. How’s that for brutal honesty?
I want to challenge my own idea of what success looks like and stop with all the glittery, sparkle, which is probably why I am drawn to these three quotes on success. All poignant and wonderful.
Do not measure success by today's harvest. Measure success by the seeds you plant today. Robert Louis Stevenson
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. Maya Angelou
You measure success by how much good you do for others. Zig Ziglar
How do you measure success?
Until next time,
Ellie
PS - I should say that if your idea of success includes wealth and fame, know that this is okay. Let’s strive to be a supportive and loving community, accepting each other as we are. How revolutionarily wonderful!