I believe that there is an implied occupational hazard when working in finance or economics.
Financial advisors or economists know that there is a conscious need to constantly seek out areas where the returns are the highest – often in terms of material goods, possession, or profits to be made.
There is also the constant end-of-period analysis and comparison – this month’s figures against last month’s; this quarter’s return on investment versus the last’s; or simply, the company’s performance against the competitors’.
In the book The War of Art that I’d told you about previously, the author Steven Pressfield explains that there are two ways that anyone with a creative calling can define himself – either hierarchically or territorially.
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While these may seem like large management concepts, what Pressfield means can be summarized simply.
When we choose to define ourselves hierarchically, we value ourselves based on the perceptions of others, and evaluate our happiness based on our pecking order (whether it be in the society, the office, our high school or even at home).
The person who operates in this manner makes decisions based on their impact on others, and how his decisions can gain him more acceptance or admiration from his peers, subordinates or superiors.
This results in a vicious cycle, because his fulfillment is external, and when external circumstances and opinions change, so does his value of himself. This is fatal, and anyone with a calling should try to steer clear of this.
What Pressfield advocates, is for us to define ourselves and operate territorially, which means for us to work in the fields of our destiny and calling.
The person who acts territorially will work on his craft regardless of approval from others, and knows that whatever effort he puts in will be given back in full.
An artist (or writer, or actress or dancer) is most fulfilled doing his or her own thing – whether it is out pitching in the baseball field, or swimming laps in the community pool, or writing drafts after drafts of a book that is ready to be written.
The artist who defines himself territorially feels most comfortable in her own territory, and when he focuses on what he is meant to do, his worth depends on no one else.
As I told you earlier, my education in finance and economics results in the occupational hazard which leads me to constantly compare myself with my peers, those under me, and those above me.
This is hierarchial definition, and I want to push myself to start operating territorially.
I know that this gift of writing that I have is to be used for good – for the positive influence of those who read what I write. Not for the numbers of page views or ad impressions or Pinterest shares or Facebook likes.
I know that when I put on paper the thoughts that are brewing inside and are demanding to be written, I will be fulfilled and satisfied.
If you’re someone who does creative work, try operating territorially for a change.
Let’s fight the war of art together.
On a brighter and lighter note, it’s finally Spring here in Argentina!
To celebrate one of my favorite seasons, here’s a recipe for colorful stir-fried egg vegetable noodles.
Fresh, vibrant vegetable noodles that are a pleasure for the eyes and great for the tastebuds, this is one dish that you can whip up in practically no time!
All you need is 30 minutes, a julienne peeler to shred the veggies into thin noodles, some eggs, and you’ve got a delicious and healthy meal!
Bon Appetit!
P.S., if you’ve never used a julienne peeler before, I strongly advice you to invest in this one – I bought it a year ago and it’s probably one of the kitchen tools that I use most, definitely worth every single penny!
Stir-fried Egg Vegetable Noodles
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Fresh, vibrant vegetable noodles that are a pleasure for the eyes and great for the tastebuds, this is one dish that you can whip up in practically no time!
Ingredients
- 4 large carrots, sliced into thin noodles with a julienne peeler
- 3 large zucchinis, sliced into thin noodles with a julienne peeler
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- Salt to taste
- Siracha, optional
Instructions
- Being by slicing the carrots and zucchinis into thin noodles, using a julienne peeler
- Beat the eggs, and in a large pan or wok, make an omelet, flipping over once the top is cooked
- When omelet is cooked, remove from pan/wok and slice into thin strips
- In the same pan/wok, heat up a little oil, and stir-fry the vegetable noodles for about 10 minutes
- Once softened, pour soy sauce over the vegetable noodles and mix well
- Divide noodles into four equal portions, garnish with sliced egg, and serve with siracha
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Grain-free
Great post! It’s so hard to not compare one’s selves to those around us, and those we’re ‘competing’ with. Isn’t that rampant in the food blog world when we’re supposed to be a community? This is a lovely dish! I make something similar with broccoli and an omelet sliced into strips, but I love the vegetable noodle idea. I’ll have to dust off my julienne peeler and have this for dinner one day soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Katie! Nice to meet you! Yes, it’s true, it’s so incredibly easy to always compete and compare – I supposed that’s human nature to some extent and to a greater extent the fact that society has conditioned us to always try to be better than those around. It takes a huge amount of effort for me not to compare (whether it be food blogging or at work), but I have to learn to operate territorially instead of hierachially. Thanks for stopping by dear! Hope you come back another time! 🙂