Priorities: Work that Pays v. Work that Inspires
As some of you know, I am a paralegal by day and a writer in my "spare" time. Let's be honest - there is no spare time. It's all about choices. Each of us has the same number of hours in the day. Unfortunately, that number of hours is limited, so choices must be made. I've been struggling with this myself for the past few years. I enjoy what I do, and the field of law fascinates me, and I like the intellectual challenge of it. But I love writing. Writing is not an option for me. It is simply part of my life, an integral part of who I am.
I am reaching the point in my professional life where I need to make a decision. Do I continue my education in paralegalism? I am torn. I would love to be a certified paralegal, and have that certificate on my wall, and initials behind my name. However, taking that exam is a huge undertaking. It would require me to study, take additional online classes, and devote at least a couple of months of my life to preparing for the exam. When I think about what I want out of life, what I want to accomplish, I realize that, while I want to pass that exam, that is not the driving force in my life. That is not what will define me.
And here is the most telling piece of information. When I looked at exam dates, i realized that I would have to spend November studying instead of leading the CCWG through NaNo, and that is simply not an option.
And so, I will put off the exam until next summer. If I am so motivated in the spring, I will take the exam then. In the meantime, I will polish my current WIP, attend OCW, and win NaNo again!
What about you? What are your priorities? What is telling about the choices you make?
Elle
I am reaching the point in my professional life where I need to make a decision. Do I continue my education in paralegalism? I am torn. I would love to be a certified paralegal, and have that certificate on my wall, and initials behind my name. However, taking that exam is a huge undertaking. It would require me to study, take additional online classes, and devote at least a couple of months of my life to preparing for the exam. When I think about what I want out of life, what I want to accomplish, I realize that, while I want to pass that exam, that is not the driving force in my life. That is not what will define me.
And here is the most telling piece of information. When I looked at exam dates, i realized that I would have to spend November studying instead of leading the CCWG through NaNo, and that is simply not an option.
And so, I will put off the exam until next summer. If I am so motivated in the spring, I will take the exam then. In the meantime, I will polish my current WIP, attend OCW, and win NaNo again!
What about you? What are your priorities? What is telling about the choices you make?
Elle
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