I Don't "Love" It.

There's hope yet for those less passionate.

Dirty Jobs. Remember that show? I know Discovery recently revived it, but I haven't seen the new ones, so to me, it still feels canceled. The format remains unchanged as host Mike Rowe treks across America meeting people from all walks of life who all have one thing in common: their work is filthy. Hence the name of the show. The premise focuses heavily on the necessary, indispensable nature of the work and the fact that despite its repugnance, these intrepid souls soldier on every day. They're the "someone" in "It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it".

But being a dyed-in-the-wool champion for the value of the trades, Rowe often dedicates a short soliloquy to spotlight an easily overlooked aspect of the happy lives these dirty jobbers cultivate. They do not love what they do. Or at least they didn't when they first embarked on their begrimed journey. These roadkill scoopers¹, pig farmers², worm grunters³, and diaper cleaners⁴ are not following their passions to fame and glory, but they're enjoying financial stability and a sincere sense of purpose nonetheless.

But I wonder if these people ever stare out the window while sipping their Sunday coffee daydreaming about passions left unchased.

Perhaps not, though. Perhaps they didn't have anything else they really loved. Or even liked. Maybe they're awash in the relief that they at least found even one thing they can do well. Or maybe, like me, they liked too many things without truly loving one.

It's hard to make steep progress when your interests vary wildly, a disease of which I've always been afflicted. I like all kinds of stuff, and I get very interested in certain hobbies. But I never get obsessed. And I have a nagging fear that obsession is necessary.

Because obsessions are like rockets. Purpose-built. They focus on one thing and even the slightest deviation causes what rocket scientists playfully refer to as "massive unplanned disassembly". Trying to make progress with many interests is like trying to climb a mountain where all trails lead halfway back down before ascending again.

Fortunately, it's not all for nothing since there's merit in the cross-discipline expansion of skills. New interests often have a habit of bolstering others. But while I'll admit that my plethora of interests couples well with my good enough philosophy when it comes to getting to the moon, being obsessive is the only way to fly.

And yet not everyone is built like the Saturn V. Though I believe people can change, those changes are usually limited to habits, choices, and lifestyle. So while part of me would love nothing more than to get insanely proficient at one thing and leave everything else behind, my nature pronounces that prospect DOA.

So I'm left to hang my hat on the romantic idea that tradeoffs remain undefeated, and the people I idolize for reaching the top of their particular mountain had to sacrifice everything else to get there. I saw a video recently that documented NHL stars hand-delivering tickets to the season ticket holders. One nice old lady baked cookies for Sidney Crosby. He was right in the middle of preseason training, so his nutrition regimen meant he had to politely decline. What a shame.

Me and those people on Dirty Jobs? We get to eat cookies.

---

Thanks for reading.

---

Question of the week:

Guys. I’ve been slacking. I usually read as much as I write, but this year I’ve been horrendous at keeping up with my reading. I got a handful of books for Christmas and haven’t started any, so my question is this: Which one do I start first? I’m not the type who can read multiple books at the same time so this decision could make or break my reading routine. It’s all up to you. No pressure.

Here’s the short list:

• The Fourth Turning by William Strauss & Neil Howe

• How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

• The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell (nice name)

• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Leave a comment. Get me back on track.

Have a great weekend.

-Tim

1. Season 1, Ep. 3

2. Season 1, Ep. 6

3. Season 5, Ep. 12

4. Season 4, Ep. 16