CONSTANT CONUNDRUM
The definition of “conundrum” is a confusing question or problem. A conundrum is exactly what I have been facing over the last few months.
And what is the question? Should I push aside trying to get back into video production and just go out there and take any job? The pay I have received for the jobs I have obtained has not paid much. In fact, each job has only amounted to grocery and gas money.
I have now landed a job with the website, Very Local.com as a freelance writer for the moment. The idea that has been floated by my boss is that this is a job that will become permanent. But you know the old saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
I have also landed video work with local businesses doing their training videos and advertisements for websites. The future in that area doesn’t appear promising. Websites like Promo deliver the same thing at half the cost.
I write and produce a podcast for bUneke.org called UnScripted, but I am doing that for free. Should I continue to do it? Podcasts definitely have what appears to be a bright future, with now over a million podcasts being produced. Is there enough potential to continue having faith that UnScripted will bring about a career and better pay?
I want more, and I know if given a chance, I can do more. Still, having left the industry for as many years as I had due to family commitments, I face the inevitable “getting your foot in the door” obstacle, which requires hustle and perseverance. It also involves lots of catching up, which I work on every day.
As defined, “perseverance” means pursuing something difficult without immediate success or result. This requires a lot of faith, and faith doesn’t pay the bills.
But technically, my drive to be a writer and video producer has paid off in that I have had jobs in both mediums. There has been progress, but not as fast or financially beneficial as I have wanted.
So the conundrum is, do I continue to pursue what I want out of a career-making close to nothing, or do I take a job with an assured paycheck that I am miserable with?
Do both. That’s a great idea in theory. But these jobs alone require time or times throughout the day that I wouldn’t have if I took a regular job.
The following two assignments from Very Local are assignments that require research and travel. Both of these are long hours and research. The work required isn’t something I can do “burning the midnight oil.” The people I have to talk with and the information they provide are not 24/7.
The companies or business people I have to meet and work with to make videos take time. Shoot days are “days.” How do I explain or expect a 9–5 to give me the time to work on those days? And then, there is post-production editing and addressing of notes by the client. There is also my availability for the client to contend with.
In my free moments of not working, I am working. I have purchased a drone, and I consider a drone an essential tool for better looking and produced videos in today’s video world. I practice with that drone almost every day. This accomplishes two things. It builds my skill not only with the drone but also with my camera work.
Maybe I haven’t thought of all my options.
Maybe you, the reader, would have ideas on how to solve the conundrum I face.
I welcome any and all suggestions.
I also wholeheartedly welcome any video production CEO to give me a chance.
Until I settle on an answer, the mantra is to always be working, climbing the goal ladder one rung at a time. If the climb continues, you will get to the top. But what that “top” is, I have no idea.
