Advice

Let Me Bore You: Geek Your Budget

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It's time to geek your budget.

Financial planning is always important (if recent events haven't made that abundantly clear).  That's why you have to make sure that you have budget set aside for the "importantly" geeky things that make you both a geek/fan, AND a progeek.

Consider:

  • Are you setting aside money for the technology you use – a new cell phone, computer, etc.?  You're going to use those in the job search, in running your own business, to keep in touch, etc.
  • Are you setting aside money for conventions and events that are important to you both as a fan and as a networking tool?
  • re you making sure you have your assorted enjoyable pointless spending worked into your budget – so it doesn't sneak up on you?

I actually set aside money once a week for such things, and keep track of it.  That way I'm always prepared for my pro-geek and general fan needs.

For a lot of us our fannishness, geekyness, etc. doesn't fall too far away from our personal and professional ambitions.  Go on and geek your budget ahead of time – you'll be glad.

– Steven Savage

A Challenge – Take Your Fandom/Geekery FARTHER

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You've probably had times people tell you to give up your fannish hobbies, your meekness, etc.  Grow up, they'll say.  Get a life,you'll be told.  This is immature, you'll be informed in a snooty manner.

Forget that.

The problem for many people is NOT that their fannish hobbies and geeky interests are immature, or time-wasting, or whatever.  The problem is people do NOT take them far enough.

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Escapism is Not Freedom

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I meet way too many people who confuse escapism with freedom.

This is a deadly confusion for one's career and one's life.

Escapism is when we run away, when we numb the pain, or when we avoid things.  Escapism is not always constructive.  At best it rests, recharges, and inspires us.  At worse it lets us ignore things until the pain goes away.  However, escapism is not actively engaging issues, solving problems, and improving things.

Freedom is when we have the ability – the skill, resources, and opportunity – to make a decision and follow through on what we want.  Freedom is the ability to choose and not have circumstances or others dictate your choice for you.  Freedom is the ability to take and face the consequences of choice.

These two are NOT the same.

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