On Priorities

For several years, I labored under the impression that a man's priorities were the things with which he expected to distinguish himself. Put another way, I thought a man was someone who poured himself against his obstacles, until either the obstacles were gone or there was nothing left of the man.

To me, that meant that every waking moment of my life needed to be spent furthering the career I wanted to lead. For years, I've taken opportunities to further my various projects at the expense of my happiness, my health, and a balanced life. I spent years sacrificing my well-being to my work in the hope that it would make me more successful, and earn me the life I want to live.

In turn, those projects haven't gone as far as I would like.

Now, as I begin to use those projects as contribute to my own well-being, things are starting to move. My income is growing, my work is moving forward with greater ease, and I'm living a happier life to boot.

What I've learned is that a man's priorities should reflect a larger role in the world than simply a profession. For me, that role is as a storyteller, a pioneer, and at least esoterically, as a father to those I love. My creative work clearly helps me satisfy my purpose, but it doesn't complete it. By challenging myself with better relationships, better lifestyle choices, and better living, I become more fit to embody the things that are important to me. Is it any wonder that my work is improving?

When I saw people taking care of themselves, I used to judge them harshly for de-prioritizing their careers to allow for less important things. I called it weak. Today, I'm seeing that it's more a matter of treating the other aspects of my life as respectfully and generously as I treat my work. That way, my life can support itself.

I'm blogging about this here because when people ask me how it was I broke into film, this may well be the lesson that comes to mind first. Seems a simple lesson, but it's also been one of the hardest for me to learn.

Now, I'm finally getting it.