The art of making a living

As I and many of my close associates are artists who are forced by the ways of the world to do something else to pay the bills, we often find ourselves frustrated and much put-upon by the world of business, which we don't understand because we are gentle, artistic souls which believe in our heart of hearts that the world should always be beautiful and fair, which it isn't.

So, occasionally we call upon each other for reminders that it is, indeed, the world that is crazy and not us.

Here, a humble missive on some rules of the business world from a friend who never fails to give us succor in our darkest hours (it was written to Jet Screamer, scant moments ago, but I've stolen it for public dissemination. Only slightly edited, to protect the identity of its creator):

1. Never stop looking for jobs until you have signed a hiring letter.

2. Promotions and management are frequently completely unfair.

3. You may be doing the same work (or more) of equal or greater complication as your supervisor, but you will get paid 1/2 as much to do it because of your job title. And, forget about getting promoted about people doing less than you do. Politics rules - as do arbitrary management decisions.

4. Never believe you are getting a job promotion until you see the new paycheck.

5. Education only matters to a point. There are geniuses out there in the workforce with an Associate's Degree and morons with doctorates. Often, having a degree your boss doesn't have makes you seem like a threat to him/her. What matters is your experience, your job title, and how much you were being paid at your last job. Oh, and how you look and who you know. Stupid, but true.

6. Getting adequate appreciation for your work in an office is pretty much as difficult as getting appreciation as a musician. People suck in an office as much as in a concert hall. The difference is, you still get a steady paycheck without the appreciation in an office.

7. Your boss is the most typical of morons out there in the workforce.

8. But, most importantly, if you are looking for validation in your job (of yourself, of your work), you will usually be disappointed. The only way to feel validated in your job is to love what you are doing at your job and expect nothing but your paycheck in return. If you have a time where you get that extra encouragement and appreciation - APPRECIATE IT! It won't last forever.

9. Nobody will think to miss you until you're gone. And they'll be shocked when you give notice. They haven't thought of leaving their little world. Why should you?

Sucks dude. It's just so typical.