“Oh no! I didn’t get that job or opportunity.” Okay, but did you just quit after rejection? Did you just give up? Giving up is not an option for me. I hate capitalism. I would love to be in my “soft girl era,” but I grew up watching my mom hustle. She took us to work when she couldn’t find a sitter. I remember being old enough to cook dinner while she was at work.

So, I learned from her. I don’t feed hustle culture. I work three jobs that I like doing. I’ve been laid off twice. Being laid off after college was the best thing to happen to me because I know how to pivot. I don’t let jobs define me. I’ve been chasing adventures ever since. Some of those adventures included successes and some included failures. All of these things happened outside of my comfort zone. I don’t need to be comfortable because I’m not learning anything there.

Now, I’ve promised myself to work and like the job(s) I’m doing, give myself grace, but also remember to not chase more money than I need.

Chasing money only leaves you with money. If I cannot look myself in the mirror at the end of the day and not like the person I see, it’s not worth it. If I ask you your goal and you say, “money,” I’m looking at you weird. Money is a resource, not a goal. Your passion could be to have a successful XYZ business, and money is a measurement, but it shouldn’t be a passion.

My favorite thing is to watch people talk about their passions. Money should not be a passion unless you somehow work at the treasury office. I worked in wealth management, and at the end of the day, I had a paycheck that was nice, but money doesn’t motivate me. I’m not showing up for a job at 35 for money. I’m showing up because I like it.

Please fail at something and continue failing at something. Not trying new things because you’re afraid of failing isn’t a part of the recipe for success. It’s stunting your growth. – Justdae