Money Should Never Motivate You
Jun 05 2008 
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One of my friends posed a question today: Does money motivate you to blog?
Everyone’s different. Some people have to pay the bills. I don’t really have that kind of financial responsibility. I’m single, with no kids, and I don’t spend money getting my hair and nails done every two weeks. So money isn’t really a big concern of mines right now. I now work with two great companies: Guidewire Group and ReadWriteWeb. While it’s nice to be paid, money wasn’t first and foremost in making my decision to join with these companies.
Why I Work for ReadWriteWeb
I was once told that one of the things that makes me so attractive as a blogger is that I don’t blog for money. I’m one of the few people who doesn’t. This allows me to have a certain amount of freedom that I wouldn’t otherwise have. My friend noted that I’m getting paid now. That’s not how I look at it. I didn’t come on looking for a way to make more money. I joined with ReadWriteWeb for the experience. Marshall Kirkpatrick and Sarah Perez are two of my idols in blogging. They have great voices, great opinions, and the best jokes ever! I wanted to be in that type of environment. I wanted to surround myself with such great minds in hopes that it would magically rub off. I wanted to learn and grow as a blogger and I felt that ReadWriteWeb was the perfect network for those goals. It’s not nor has it ever been about money.
Why I Work for Guidewire
With Guidewire, I explore a different side of technology outside of blogging. I get to see the business side of technology. I talk with CEOs and explore technologies that I may never use but are nonetheless fascinating. I really get to see the wave of the future working with Guidewire. With Guidewire I get to expand my knowledge, connections, career, and myself. It was never about the money. If I were unhappy with any of these companies I would quit. Point, blank, period.
Passion Should Motivate You
Passion is what motivates me. I have a burning desire to learn. All knowledge is worth having. I have a passion for technology and it’s important as a blogger to learn the ins and outs of the tech industry. I enjoy it and I revel in it. If money motivated me, I wouldn’t post the things I post nor say the things I say. I’d be more concerned about SEO, marketing, and writing more “professionally”. While I do try to improve on those things, I feel they’re more directly related to money and I’m not. If I wanted money, I’d go get a 9-5. Money has never mattered much to me. I’m more concerned about enjoying my life and what I do. When money motivates you, there are too many negative factors against you. You start to do things with no heart, no passion, and no personality. You’re only doing what’s necessary to make money. I see that as a problem and it won’t do you any good in the long run. You have to do things because you want to. Otherwise, you’ll be torn apart.
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Something looks different here….Well, love the post. Having the best of both worlds would be nice but success comes with what you are good at and what you like, the money comes later…
One of the commenters on FF said in response to this “spoken like a single person.” It's easy to have that mindset when you don't have the responsibility of a house or kids. My husband once said something similar (his was “I'll NEVER kowtow to The Man” and every so often, I tweak his nose a bit by repeating it. With age comes more responsibilities. My favorite job ever was barista in a cafe in an indie movie theater. I dream of going back to that job some day when the kids are out of school and I have fewer responsibilities. But most everyone ends up doing something they don't love at some point or another to make ends meet. If I didn't, well, I'm pretty sure my parents would have booted me out on my rear by now. ;)
That was me…
[quote] Written like a single person ;) That is where the use of 'never' comes into question, otherwise, great piece. [/quote]
I had jscript off and didn't even know there was a comment section here; I looked, but was an idiot.
It's awesome to be able to follow your passion without compromise. That's probably rare for most of us. It does seem that many of those who succeed big have sacrificed a lot of money to get there and the money finally comes. But, it doesn't always come just cause you are passionate and are doing things for the *right* reasons. Luck plays a part. But being someone who is willing to defer some $$$ gratification may give you more options early in your career. I do my web 2 stuff and blogging for fun hoping it may help a bit in developing my personal brand. That gives me a lot of latitude as a passionate amateur.
keep on writing. keep on living your life. you will evolve, life always does (unless your one of those Intelligent Design schmucks). one day you will find yourself needing money- hopefully for something more meaningful than hair and nails, but the way you have been going, i don't see that happening-the hair and nails fetish that is.
one day. you may have a family, but right now you don't. follow your dreams to where ever they may lead you. you never know, they may lead you to a family life where you have money in the bank, or they may not. i have no real regrets (okay a couple nagging regrets, like not scoring the final goal and winning the World Cup for my country and not getting an Oscar, but that can come later, right?) nd following my dreams has taken me around the world (literally) and the place i am in now, is not half bad~shrugs~
it can't be any worse for you.
peace
This is where I'm trying to be. I'm not single and I have 2 kids, but dammit I'm gonna make it work. I have gone too long just trying to pay the bills. It just doesn't make for a happy life for anyone involved.
Even if I had those obligations, I wouldn't work just for money. I'd still stay out of work and risk getting things turned off or bad credit just for happiness. It's worth it in the end to me. I'll live longer. My happiness will always come before money. (reposted on FriendFeed btw)
lol it's ok, but this is what I said to Cyndy and also reposted on FriendFeed for your convenience:
“Even if I had those obligations, I wouldn't work just for money. I'd still stay out of work and risk getting things turned off or bad credit just for happiness. It's worth it in the end to me. I'll live longer. My happiness will always come before money.”
I hadn't been working from January until now when I started this blog. As an intern, I'm making a very nice amount a month. It was hard as hell, but I know that I personally cannot stay at a job for too long and be unhappy. I need that sense of fulfillment in the end. Luck does play a part. I just happened to be lucky enough to find people like Louis Gray and Steven Hodson to help me get started. Now I have those two and mentors like Sarah, Marshall, Allen Stern, Phil Glockner, and many more to help me propel myself. Lucky? Definitely, but it's not the only factor for sure.
I hope not with great folks like you to bother lol. I hope my dreams can take me around the world too. I've already been up and down the east coast and now I'm headed out to Portland. Who knows where I'll be next? :)
It doesn't and I'm glad you haven't given up. I had to work at it for 3 months before getting to this point. It definitely takes dedication and perseverance, but I think it all pays off at some point. It's just a matter of when.
Corvida, I can't believe you're only 20. If this is what you're like at 20…you've got a lot to look forward to. :) Also, am I understanding this right–from one of your comments above, it sounded like you've only been doing SheGeeks for the last six or seven months?
I loved the visual diagram – success is indeed a sweet spot! This conversation applies to entrepreneurs as well. Bill & Dave didnt start in their garage thinking about money. They did it for their love of engineering and that eventually became HP. I don't think Sergey & Larry thought 'how can we make a multi-billion dollar company?'. They simply thought they could make search better. If you focus on the right things, the money will come. Even if its not millions, it'll be enough to keep you in the sweet spot of success! Keep doing what you're doing.
We have chatted about this before, of course.. I believe you are at a point in your life that you can pursue what you are passionate about. And that's a great feeling, and one you should never give up on.
However, I do think it gets harder as responsibilities and debts build up. There are those that are talented, creative, or lucky enough to be able to break out what we in America would call the 'dream' of a mortgage, two kids and two car notes, and be able to pursue what they want. Tim Ferriss of the 4-Hour Work Week immediately comes to mind, so does Andrew Hyde, who works incredibly hard and loves what he does.
Anyway, I honestly don't want to bring down your message here. I think the path you are trying to forge is noble and interesting, and you are off to a great start — I have no doubt that you will make it. Just be aware that you are on the road less traveled and there are choice you might make that could lead you to compromise your vision.
I am 49, with a kid @ college – another 3 years and I should be able to follow my passion…I hope :-) – show a middle finger to my boss- walk out of the door and decide whether its the sax I want to learn or a language or just write a free wheeling blog on nothing but something
Great minds think alike Corvida.
Couldn't agree more re. passion. See here:
http://datainsightsideas.com/post/35181811/refl...
I think what many people are overlooking is that the author is successful, because she followed her passions. Even if you have responsibilities (like me) you won't find real success until you follow your passions. You might find financial stability but you won't be happy. As a result, you and the people you love will suffer for it. I hold down a regular job (that I hate) but recently have really started doing what I love (writing) and I'm happier for it. It should be noted that I make a little money from it, and that gives me some extra satisfaction. You can be happier too, all you have to do is devote some time to your passions. Who knows, in time your passion may supplant your j.o.b., or it may just make you a little extra cash. Either way you will be happier, that in turn will make you a better person, friend, parent, or whatever label it is that ties you to your loved ones.
Women tend not to be afraid of talking about fear. Men tend to treat fear as though it is a sign of weakness. Stupidity is indeed fearlessness mistaken for valor. Who are you all, who are you that decide to prescribe your values to cultures that have long since condemned yout dishonest and objective ways?
Writing for major sites like ReadWriteWeb is always a great opportunity to get your name out.
You'll get to know a lot of people and make some valuable connections. The money will usually come afterwards.
It would be stupid to turn down an opportunity to write for a big site, just because it doesn't pay well.
Fear is not so much a sign of weakness as it is acknowledgment of threat.
Fear is not so much a sign of weakness as it is acknowledgment of threat.
Nice to meet you.
I write blog with my being assigned to money too.
Please link to my blog if you can do it.
I made link to you.
I think you have definitely got the right idea, hun. If you cant follow your dream now – when the heck can you?? Go for it..what on earth have you got to lose? Absolutely nothing and potentially everything to gain….I love this new online world of social media and friendship, even though I am a lot older than you, I still have the same 'thirst for knowledge' (as someone said about me recently) and genuine excitement about learning new things – in fact, sometimes I feel like a kid in a sweet shop..maybe because I am older and none of this technology existed when I was young? Who knows? Anyway…..all good stuff!!
Passion is what motivates me. I have a burning desire to learn. All knowledge is worth having. I have a passion for technology and it’s important as a blogger to learn the ins and outs of the tech industry. I enjoy it and I revel in it. If money motivated me, I wouldn’t post the things I post nor say the things I say. Karls Mortgage Calculator