I took a trip to Italy last month and this trip has fundamentally changed the way I view how this world works because of the people that I have met and the experiences that I’ve had.
What are you relying on right now?
When I was in Italy, I met Simone, an Italian singer. He teaches linguistics at university; meanwhile, he has a band, so he sings at an upscale bar every Saturday night. He says he makes more money from singing than from teaching in the higher education industry.
“I’ve been teaching linguistics at university for more than ten years, so it’s become very easy for me,” says Simone, “Having two careers is not hard; in fact, it’s so rewarding because these are two totally different industries – they complement each other in my life and help me feel balanced.”
Simone thinks outside the box. He doesn’t rely on his degrees.
Personally, I have two degrees, and I used them for 16 years, which isn’t a short period of time. When I decided to pursue entrepreneurship in 2021, I stopped using my degrees because I couldn’t rely on them anymore. Indeed, degrees are designed for employees, not for entrepreneurs.
Some people question why I don’t use my degrees anymore, but only I know I’ve made the right decision: My career that is relevant to my degrees doesn’t need to last forever in order to be meaningful. As a matter of fact, life is short, so I can do something else when the time is right.
Simone’s decisions have further confirmed that my choice is correct. Meanwhile, now I’ve understood that anyone that is interested in entrepreneurship or creative/artistic industries probably shouldn’t rely on their degree.
A trip to Italy is the best R & R.
Because I’m self-employed, I usually work at least 47 hours a week. That means I need rest and relaxation regularly. Therefore, I went on a trip to Italy for some wonderful R & R.
There are three things that I focus on when I’m on holiday:
- Good food – I try delicious cuisines everywhere I go.
- Lots of sleep – I stay at 5-star hotels because I’ve worked hard & I deserve the most comfortable environment for high-quality sleep.
- New experiences – I love meeting new people and experiencing new things that expand my outlook.
By the way, I noticed that Italians are much more relaxed than most people from English-speaking countries. They are more fun, romantic and interesting. They can have very engaging conversations effortlessly. Their good sense of humor has rubbed off on me.
“Now I have realized that a fun-loving attitude is quite productive because it makes me feel happier and better in general. As a result, I approach my work and life with a more positive mindset.”
