I start every project as a god job: an opportunity to make smart work, reach an audience, inspire, enlighten, educate, influence, entertain—the works. But as altruistic as my own goals may be, occasionally my client does not have the same vision. They would rather opt for a more obvious, club-upside-the-head approach and cut out that “art” crap. Maybe they don’t trust their audience’s intelligence, or they find safety in mediocrity and don’t want to stand out. Whatever their reasons, as their hire, I’m in their world and I acquiesce.
No risk, no glory.
What may have started as a god job slowly twists into a money job, so I cut bait, get paid, take my name off it, and get poised and ready for the next opportunity.
There are some jobs you do for god and some you do for money—and it’s important to know the difference. When a decent job turns into a godless job, then get ’er done, get paid, and move on. Don’t show it to anyone, and don’t look back. You can choose to fight with the philistines, or you can accept the world the way it is and be happy.
*My lowercase “g” means no disrespect to any god, goddess, deity, or religion.