Yep! It is time for the “James Dalman Mojo” to return. Let me explain.
I have always wanted to be famous like many artists or designers and I’ve always wanted to be wildly successful at business. I have wanted it so much that there have been times where I’ve let the popularity contest mentality win over what really gets me amped up, even if it goes against traditional thought or wisdom. This happened when I was in my late teens.
My goal then was to create and develop my own line of kick ass t-shirts and become a master at airbrushing and illustration. I absolutely loved doing these things and would loose all track off time when I was in the zone. Somewhere along the line I was convinced to follow the cash and I got into computers and graphic design. Now I am totally thankful for the opportunity to have learned this trade and have made a nice living doing this, but it has lacked some of the vibrant passion that I once tasted.
I’ve waffled back and forth over the last eight years trying to find my groove and have been swayed by what the “business experts” say or where I’ve felt where the money would be. The thing I have noticed though is that the more I chase money or acceptance, the more it moves away from me. Let me put it another way: influential people such as Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Mark Driscoll, and even Jesse James of West Coast Choppers didn’t set out to be famous or wealthy — they followed what they were passionate about and believed in. It was never about the fame or fortune. This is where I have screwed up.
As my grey hair starts to move in and I realize that every day really is a gift from God, I long for those days where the passionate fire burns constantly.
My new work at iThemes Media has given me some of that back. It’s been one heck of a ride and I totally dig being a part of our team. It’s absolutely awesome! There is, however, some unfinished projects and ideas that I put on a shelf in order to become the “branding and marketing expert” people want to follow. My buddy has been telling me for three years now that I’ve sold my soul for something that doesn’t mesh with my creativity and dreams. He is absolutely right!
I don’t want to be known for one thing and give my life to win a popularity contest. This really isn’t me. I don’t want to hold back because somebody might not like what I say or do and therefore ruin my chance to stand at a plush podium and speak to a large crowd. I’m tired of striving to be something that other people want more than me. I want to draw, write, design, paint, tattoo, speak about the things that get me out of bed in the morning…stuff that I have suppressed for so long now.
So [no offense] I am giving the finger to the old ideology of what I thought I desired and am now focusing on the things that really are desired. It may be hard to understand for you because it definitely hasn’t been easy for me but I think as the days go by and I’m able to start fresh, it will show here on my website and blog.
This is what happens when you sit idle and have time to think!
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Follow your passion! This is really exciting, I can not wait to see where this leads you. I was just listening to a talk at TED about happiness he described working in a way that everything else disappears, just like you talked about…I know we haven’t talked lately as we’ve both been crazy busy, but I’m praying for you with much expectation and anticipation.
And you really should now having this playing in a loop in the background: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sJPUTTfNbg
Michael,
Thanks for your support and feedback. You know we’ve talked about some of this in the past and it just seems like it’s time to get some of that passion back – for the arts and mentoring – that I have been missing. Lets catch up this week!
That’s a fresh loop!