There’s a saying that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. At Apple, I learned that’s a total crock. You’ll work harder than you ever thought possible, but the tools will feel light in your hands. As you go out into the world, don’t waste time on problems that have been solved. Don’t get hung up on what other people say is practical. Instead, steer your ship into the choppy seas. Look for the rough spots, the problems that seem too big, the complexities that other people are content to work around. It’s in those places that you will find your purpose. It’s there that you can make your greatest contribution. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of being too cautious. Don’t assume that by staying put, the ground won’t move beneath your feet. The status quo simply won’t last. So get to work on building something better.
~Tim Cook
I love a good commencement speech, and every year I read the “best of”, because I am not graduating, nor do I like attending them (although I really should, given that whole “faculty role” thing…). But I love reading the excerpts of wisdom from others’ speeches, gleaning bits of insight that I can take into my own life.
…don’t be too cautious
This one resonated with me this morning. I’ve been feeling really down in the dumps about my opportunities for funding. It’s not that I am not applying – it’s all I’ve been doing. But rather, it’s that I can’t seem to make the case for why what I want to study is important.
This quote reminds me that just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. There’s a reason I am passionate about my science, about my work. There’s a reason that I keep on keepin’ on, even when the going gets rough and I just want to step off the path.
Remembering my “why”. Recognizing that not everyone is into this particular area of inquiry, but that it’s needed. That maybe I am the person to move it forward, at least in part.
I definitely need a day off soon… and am hoping to get that this weekend. The plans, of course, include a trip to a bookstore that looks just fabulous on paper / the web / the Facebook. I am hoping it lives up to the write ups and the reviews. It’s only an hour away – and oh, wouldn’t it be lovely to find a source of inspiration as well as maybe a book or two (or three…or more…)
Anyway – back to the quote. Today, I am going to remind myself that my purpose is in the complexities, the rough spots, the choppy seas. Success is not immediate. I have to put the work in. But there are reasons (oh, so many reasons) I am doing what I’m doing, and now is not the time to give up.
Onward.