Balancing dreams, reality, and economy: Jobs and work

My friend Joey was laid off from b5 recently and has landed at what might seem like an unlikely place—Microsoft: Company Man (or: The New Job). Before people start checking for flying pigs or Satanic snowball fights, look at his rational. His new job lets him:

1. Do great work.
2. Have that work spread far and wide.
3. Earn a fair reward for my effort.

Yeah I don’t think that’s too much to ask or flawed, in fact I’m pretty much at the same point in my life.

Last week I wrote more about my search for what’s next for me and in the comments you’ll note that my friend Alex offered me some pro-bono executive coaching. You’ll also note that I am not the young fool I once was and took him right up on it.

We had our first chat earlier this week—missed your call today Alex, but I’ve almost finished the portfolio—and we came to the conclusion that I’ve known what I really want to do for a long time, I just needed the guts to say it out loud. Ready for it?

I want to be a full-time tech writer and professional photographer.

Yeah, yeah blinding flash of the obvious I know.

What I mean by a full-time writer is writing books and articles for publications for money, not professional blogging per se (if I large site wanted me as a regular paid contributor and would pay well per article of course I’d consider it). As a pro photographer, well you guys know that already.

In the meantime, being the type of person who likes to eat and live with a roof over his head, I am looking for a good place to land. Like Joey I’d like stability, fair pay, something to believe in, and something that leverages my skills. Oh and benefits would be cool too .

I’m taking some steps to step fully into the professional writer role that I dream of being and always looking for opportunities to expand my photography portfolio.

In these rather dim economic times am I nuts? Yeah I don’t think so. People will still need things, people still need to do things, people still need and want to know things. Businesses that tap into that, well they might have some lean times, but they’ll make it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check my gear for an event tonight. Just dying to get some good pics today.