Over the years I have been to a lot of conferences – either as an attendee or as a speaker. At most events, the formal education portions ends by 7pm, usually quite a bit earlier. A banquet or gathering in the bar typically follows.
I recently attended a magic convention with 700 magicians. Unlike most events, formal classes went late into the evening. I was in one workshop that went to 1am. My brain was full and I was tired. When I left the conference room I was ready for sleep and I assumed everyone else was too. Wow, was I wrong! When I walked into the hotel lobby, it was packed with people practicing their magic and performing for others.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
This got me thinking. Some people can’t wait to leave work. If you ask an accountant to do your taxes one night while sitting around having drinks, they would look at you like you had two heads. There is a dividing line between what is work and what isn’t.
Magicians are different. The line is blurry.
While sitting at the airport in Las Vegas waiting for my plane, I spotted Jeff McBride, recently named one of the top 10 magicians of our time. He sat down with me and taught me a few new tricks. He could have easily taken the time to do something else. But I could tell that helping others with magic gave him immense pleasure.
The magicians I know never stop working. Or maybe they never started working. It is their passion. Their life.
To be clear, I am not saying “follow your passion and the money will follow.” I don’t believe that to be true. What you offer has to be valued by others in a way that you can make a living. Having said that, I believe that the more you enjoy your profession, the more time, money, and energy you will put into it.
True success = something you love + something you are good at + something others value.
What about you? Is there a clear line between work and the rest of your life? Or is the dividing line blurry? Do you look forward to the end of work? Or do you spring into action, eager to play?
Does work feel like work? If so, it may be time to make some magic happen in your life.