Wow. Has it really been since January 7 since I last posted? I’ve been a bad blogger.
In the last three months, I’ve discovered a few things about myself:
- I like using pencils.
- I like talking about pencils.
- I like writing about pencils.
- I don’t really like selling pencils.
- ↑ That last one’s the important part if you want to work at a pencil company
Don’t get me wrong. CalCedar is a great place to work. WoodChuck and my colleagues are motivated, friendly, and — best yet — love pencils. And while I’ve been happy living my passion these past few months, it tuns out that when I’m thinking about pencils for 40 hours a week, even I get a little burnt out. Plus, I really missed my local nonprofit community.
That’s why effective Friday, I’ll be ending my job as Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for Pencils.com. I will still maintain a relationship on a very part-time basis, managing their social media and developing relationships with bloggers. That’s what I find most fulfilling and what I think I’m best at. Meanwhile, I’ll be starting a full-time gig at a brand-new local arts and culture nonprofit. That’s my professional passion.
I’m lucky enough to be able to pursue my passions in life, which is rare. And I’m lucky that my friends and colleagues at CalCedar still want me to be part of their amazing dotcom venture. All around, I’m a lucky person.
Thanks for bearing with me! Hopefully this will mean that you’ll be seeing more from me on this blog. I have a few reviews coming up, and some news items.
What’s going on in your neck of the woods?
Woodclinched 
Sounds like you made a smart decision – tough making it but definitely good that you were able to figure it out what you like/didn’t like. And now I hope to see you more active with your Woodclinched site! 🙂
Glad we get to keep you. Non profit geeks unite!
Your bullet point list is really funny.
Good luck for your new gig!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts – best of luck for the future! Of course I am looking forward to reading your blog 🙂
I have another thought: Did the specific features of compulsory and voluntary exercise play a part too? If I had to make a living with pencils they would be considerably less enjoyable for me.
Gunther, good question! I think that might be the case. There are definitely different kinds of passions, and while I have a passion for nonprofit work in my professional life, I don’t really want to talk about nonprofits a lot in my off-time. Conversely, I love to talk about pencils, but if I was obligated to think about them for 40 hours a week, my interest would start to wane. I think that’s why this blog was so lacking for three months — when pencils became an obligation, I lost the fun.
Luckily, I think I recognized that before I became disinterested permanently, and my situation is better now to remedy that.
Andy, thank you for your detailed reply. I am glad to hear that you have recognized that important aspect in good time. – It looks like being happy with something requires the liberty to be without it now an then 😉