I've been reading Seth Godin's new book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? Actually I purchased the audio version of the book (which Seth Godin reads himself) and have been listening every day for the last couple of weeks. In Linchpin, Seth argues on behalf of the artist in each of us. He asks the reader to figure out the "art" that he or she loves to create. Seth reminds us that most of us have been caught up in factory mode - becoming replaceable cogs in someone else's machine. The linchpin person, however, is not replaceable. The linchpin is not a cog, but because of her unique contribution - her "art" - she never has to worry about being tossed aside.
The challenge, of course, is to find a way to make a living doing the very thing you love to do. But frankly, most of us never make it that far, because we never even begin asking the question about what we really love to do in the first place. We're pushed to "find a job" when we get out of school. In my case, my entire education was career oriented. I pursued a business degree and learned how to sell. When I graduated from Akron University in 1979, I was very fortunate to begin working as an Account Executive for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith. At the time I was the youngest person ever hired for that position.
And I did excel. It was a good paying career. But it wasn't my art. That's not to say that it might not have been the perfect art studio for others, but it really wasn't mine. It was, however, a fantastic way to make a great living. It wasn't until 25 years later, when I became a pastor at a local church, that I discovered my art. I love teaching Biblical truths. I love studying, organizing, and shaping a new message into existence. And I love seeing other people turn on to these truths. I love watching people who get it, sometimes for the very first time.
I think I'm excelling, though it's not yet a good paying career. But it is my art. And I love it. And, slowly but surely, we're figuring out a way to make a living at it.
My question for you this morning is this: What's your art? What do you love to do? Are you doing it? Or are you settling for only the paycheck. It doesn't have to be an either-or proposition. But it will require more work, more risk, and much more patience to find a way to possess both the art and the paycheck. Admittedly, I'm still on the side of not having fully achieved both yet. But for me, it's worth the attempt!
