One thing that I keep repeating is how easy it is to lose focus and end up in the wrong direction. But people don’t realize that when money is short, faster it is to lose your path. Especially in New York City, where it is so easy to get side jobs and make quick money. Being a warrior who is not afraid of work is a good thing, but also makes it really easy to not stay on your path.
Speaking for myself, I am this kind of warrior. I am quite proud of myself for that but, for the past few weeks, I realized that going for side jobs to make extra money can take your focus away from your goals. Working hard is important, but never forgetting your dreams is even more important. And you should never settle for less than that, even if you are doing your friend a favor.
I will admit, making extra money is great, but you have to know when to say no and preserve your mental health. A couple of weeks ago a good friend of mine asked for help hostessing at one of his restaurants. As the good friend I am, I obviously said yes. After all, I would be there only one/two days a week. Let me tell you, two weeks into the job and I wanted to hang myself from my balcony…
I decided to stay persistent because it was one day a week and I was helping a friend. Want to know the result of my stubbornness? My friend and I got into a fight during a Saturday brunch because I wanted to stay and enjoy the day with my friends instead of going to a hostess job where I would be standing for 7 hours even though I didn’t even need the job.
Of course, after that, I decided to not work for him anymore, but being in this situation made me realize that side jobs and quick money can make you lose your focus faster than you can imagine. And the worse, you won’t see it coming.
I came to NYC to pursue my dream in the fashion industry. After busting my ass working hard for years, I finally am in a position where I have a stable job and I get to chill and hang out with my friends on the weekends. Being on a side job and making extra money was good, but it didn’t buy my happiness nor the comfort of knowing that I am here working on my long-term career, instead of working just to make money. That is why helping my friend on the weekends was something that I wanted to do, but wasn’t happy doing it.
We all have choices, and I had to make mine! So I decided to focus on my career, enjoy my free weekends (which I worked damn hard for) and save my mental/body health (emphasis on the body health, because let’s not forget that I still have a knee injury).
In 2023 I hope you remember this: make a choice, stay focused on your long-term goals and choose your mental health. Petty cash should not draw your attention.
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