Thank you so much for commenting and my apologies for my delay in responding.

“I walked away from a well-paid, gold plated job to return to a sense of risk and creativity.”

This really made me think, Steve. What a brave and honourable thing to do. It feels like a move full of integrity and being true to yourself.

So many of us are locked into the jobs we do as though we had no choice. I once stayed in a job with an overbearing, bullying boss – to the detriment of my well-being and relationship with my partner – because I felt I had to pay the mortgage.

I left because it was either my man or my job, and I was certainly not going to be him

Risk and creativity associated with entrepreneurship has been the reward.

“so the work-rate becomes a product of my belief – that by working hard I CAN make this happen” – I recognise that sentiment! You are making it happen …

The need for self-expression (and I think recognition) is so deep in all of us.

Thanks again for such a thought-provoking response.

As usual, a well delivered, thought provoking post.

I think I currently fall into the ‘working silly hours’ category and this is entirely self-imposed. I suspect all of the reasons that you describe are in play for me and I would like to add a couple more…

I walked away from a well-paid, gold plated job to return to a sense of risk and creativity. I guess that I am working with a sense of belief; that the effort I put into my consulting practice will pay-off eventually.

But it is the nature of the pay-off that is most interesting. I’m not in this for money (though some would be nice…) rather to voice what I think I bring to the world. A form of self-expression, if you will…

And so the work-rate becomes a product of my belief – hat by working hard I CAN make this happen. Of course, I could also be completely delusional – but then most entrepreneurs and creatives are, aren’t they?