A man is not doing much until the cause he works for posseses all there is of him.
John Wanamaker
At most points during the past five years, Mr. Wanamaker would have said to me, “You are not doing much, Sully.” And his assessment would have been accurate.
I had worked as a criminal defense attorney for about five years when I realized that a career in the hustle & grind of trial work was not for me. But I had no idea what I wanted. So, I searched for jobs (Indeed™, I did) and interviewed at civil firms (Hello, Rand Spear) without direction. A couple of years later, I was employed as a law clerk for a judge when I discovered my desire to pursue a career focused on writing.
But clerking for the judge was not intellectually challenging or stimulating. The job was not difficult – arrive by 9:30 a.m., bounce by 3:30 p.m., and collect a biweekly paycheck. With no possibility of a salary increase or more responsibilities, my motivation and excitement for the job flatlined.
My work life changed when my peer and friend, David Simon, invited me to start a legal ghostwriting business. A few months later, in January 2020, merely weeks before the pandemic shut down the world, Sullivan|Simon opened its virtual doors. And for the first time, since I lifeguarded on the beach during college summers, I liked my job.
Ghostwriting is challenging and interesting work. It differs from all my previous legal jobs because I can work from home or rock a hoodie and beanie when I go to the office. But for Sullivan|Simon’s first year-and-a-half of existence, something was missing.
While sufficient to complete the assignments on time, my effort was half-assed. I worked enough for the business to remain viable. I lacked passion as well as purpose and resisted devoting the time necessary for our business to flourish, not simply thrive. However, the situation is different because I found my cause for work.
The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
In August 2021, I met a fantastic woman via the matchmaking haven Tinder. Since we met [online], the relationship has weathered storms associated with long-distance dating and a 20+ year age difference. We now live together, and I have never been happier.
My girlfriend and I visited California for the December holidays to see her family. One day, while she went to a movie with her mom and sister, I walked along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. The air temperature was in the upper 50s, and there were no clouds in the sky on this December day as I soaked in the majestic sights from the cliffs atop the Pacific Ocean.
I strolled along the sidewalk and passed million-dollar homes with magnificent views, thinking, “I want to will own one of these houses.” And so I texted David:
I finally recognized my cause for work – living how I never previously dared to dream about. And I am excited to apply the enthusiasm, effort, and persistence to achieve my goals.
