When is it okay NOT to do what you love?

Q: When is it okay NOT to do what you love?

A: When it will help you do what you love.

But here’s the exception:

We want to use Ockham’s Razor.

(Philosophy review: Ockham’s Razor is a principle that advocates choosing the simplest explanation that does the job)

So if I employ the Chain of Inspiration (see yesterday’s post) to connect what I’m doing today (which might be a PITA) to the life I want to live, that’s great.

It’s way better than just complaining about my task list.

But it’s Even Better if I can come up with a shorter Chain of Inspiration.

Here are two personal examples from my own journey with marketing.

Chain of Inspiration #1: Making a Facebook Funnel.

Why am I recording a “sensational” 30 second video ad?

… Because I need it for my Facebook Ad Funnel. [ Inspiration: 0, Resistance: 10 ]

Why the hell am I making a Facebook Ad Funnel when I hate everything about making a Facebook Ad Funnel and making a Facebook Ad Funnel is #sonotme?

… Because I want more people to know about my work. [ Inspiration: 1, Resistance: 9 ]

Why?

… Because I think the future of human happiness lies in rescuing the idea of Purpose [ Inspiration: 6, Resistance: 4 ]

And

… Because I like to throw parties, and people need to know about the parties if they’re going to attend [ Inspiration: 9, Resistance: 1 ]

Parties are what inspire me. And there’s a lot of uncomfortable (read: resistance!) steps between now and then

Chain of Inspiration #2: Writing a weekly newsletter

Why am I spending 3 hours every Monday morning writing?

… Because I want more people to know about my work. [ Inspiration: 1, Resistance: 9 ]

And

… Because I love writing [ Inspiration: 10, Resistance: 0 ]

And

… Because I love the feedback I get from each letter [ Inspiration: 10, Resistance: 0 ]

And

… Because I see these words as an authentic arrow of myself into people’s hearts. [ Inspiration: 10, Resistance: 0 ]

See the difference?

I could keep going and get to the same Ultimate Why as Chain #1, but I don’t need to. My cup is full from the first Why.