Things I Know... Know Thyself

If your heart isn't in it, don't do it. It's not a 100% rule. We've all pursued ventures that our heart wasn't in but still succeeded. The point is, you can actually be happy if your heart is in it.
Without heart- you won't work the long hours and put in the sweat equity.
This is a principle I learned time and time again. Sometimes I was still foolish enough to disobey this precept.
I get paid pretty decently in the day jobs I've worked for the last six years. But I've hated them all with passion. And it only takes, maybe three months for that full blown hate to blossom. I sit at work and daydream/reminisce about writing. About all things writing. So-

Here's a story: A salesman tries to sale something to you (ME). Not a product, but an opportunity. What's a common technique for salesman to pitch opportunities? They ask you about your dreams. Then they get you to expound on said dream.

Dreaming is like Magic. You fall into that comforting trance of make believe that doesn't come as naturally as it did when you were a child. But with that simple command "Imagine" the salesman can whisk you away to a far away land of your own specific design. Your personal bliss. Your mental sanctuary. Once you get attached and emotional on that dream, once he gets you to visualize the existence, then he attaches his product to your dream. His job is to "make you believe" his product is a viable way to reach your dream.

"If I sale enough of these vending machines to corporations, I'll have the money to sit back on an island and write the Great American Novel."

"Hey, our fearless leader has a Yellow Viper, if I follow his lead I can have a Yellow Viper too. I'm joining this obvious pyramid scheme."

"Well, this plan wasn't that sound to me initially, but I would like to quit my job. Wow, the more I hate my job, the saner his plan sounds. Because I love imagining walking away from that evil hell hole that mocks employment."

"Hmm, my friends are all involved- and I don't want to be left out. Sure I'm not feeling this strategy, but I don't want to drive this Ford Escort when they're pushing around the mayonnaise colored Mercedes Benz. I too want a Miracle Whip! I'm jumping on the bandwagon."

THE MORALE OF THIS STORY: Pursue your dream directly. Don't waste time taking indirect routes when you know where your heart lies.

The greatest warrior is the one who conquers himself.

-Samurai saying