Summary

A young civil engineer left the construction industry to pursue a full-time writing career, discovering unexpected lessons and a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.

Abstract

The author, a 26-year-old civil engineer, made a bold decision to leave the construction industry to focus on writing, a choice that defies societal expectations in their country. Despite the prestige associated with traditional professions like engineering, medicine, or law, the author found greater happiness in writing. In the three months since the transition, the author has learned that freedom is truly free, allowing for personal creativity and the pursuit of one's own ideas without the constraints of a conventional job. The world has responded positively to the author's new career path, with former clients and contacts offering writing tasks and agreeable rewards. The author has also found that mistakes in writing are less consequential than in construction, where they can be costly or even deadly. The process of making money has become less physically demanding and more idea-driven. While the financial returns from writing are not yet equal to those from construction, the author is content with the progress and optimistic about the future. The experience has led to the realization that construction is still loved, but not as a full-time profession.

Opinions

The author believes that the freedom to pursue writing has led to a more fulfilling life, free from the constraints of a traditional job.
There is an opinion that society's emphasis on prestigious professions is misguided and that personal happiness should be a priority.
The author expresses that the world acknowledges and supports genuine efforts and career shifts, as evidenced by the influx of writing opportunities from past contacts.
Mistakes in writing are seen as part of the learning process and less severe compared to the potential consequences in construction.
The author suggests that making a living through writing is less physically taxing and more about generating valuable ideas.
There is a reflection on the nature of construction work, which the author still appreciates but no longer wishes to pursue full-time.
The author encourages others who might be considering a similar leap of faith to pursue their "fickle dream," indicating a belief in the value of following one's passions despite uncertainty.

I Left Construction To Focus on Writing

Since then, I have learned more than I bargained for

I didn’t just leave construction. I left it at a young age and without a master plan.

I only just turned 26 on the 12th of June, and in my country, it takes a lot of gut to think you want to be anything else other than an Engineer, a Doctor, or a Lawyer.

Even if we have produced lots of writing wonders in the world like Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, and Ayodeji Awosika.

People still believe in prestige and hope for their kids to have a broader shoulder in society. Even if it means having a slim pocket and an awful hysteria for the future.

Anyway, I wasn’t having any of it, so I left despite their warnings.

I once told this same story on LinkedIn, and some of my friends thought I was just being overly dramatic because of the stress of construction. But no I wasn’t. I am a practicing Civil Engineer with solid experience in several types of construction.

But I simply felt happier when I write. Again, I know I am young, so why not try it out.

I did, and in the past three months, I have learned a little more than I thought I would.

Freedom is truly free

If you already know this, then you are lucky. I never knew freedom was this free. I never knew I could I just wake up whenever I want and do what I love doing.

It is as though I am leaving the dreams of my life.

I don’t wake up to jump on the bus for a 12-kilometer drive to work, and still get questioned for being late anymore.
I don’t have to follow another man’s (Architect) vision and stay on it for months till I perfect it anymore — I now create and groom my own ideas.

I only thought about this before full-time writing. I never knew this was how it felt.

The world resonates with your hustle

Since leaving construction, I have had certain unprovoked blessings from different clients.

Some from when I was still a full-time engineer constructing foundations, and fixing structural elements. Others from way back when I was still in engineering school.

These guys have suddenly started crawling in with different tasks and surprisingly agreeable rewards that I can’t resist.

To think this would have never happened if I was still a full-time engineer made me cringe. Because that means, mother nature knows the answer to our problems. But wouldn’t tell us, until we are strong enough to take a bold step.

Mistakes are good

No, they are not in construction.

You can not make them. Or else, you will be making your company lose a lot in profit, or worse, you might be literally killing hundreds of people unintentionally.

Meanwhile, since I started writing full-time, I found out that mistakes are allowed. You can write an article or blog post and make blunders that would cost you a lot. But you can always learn from them without doing too much damage.

You can always learn the ropes and work your way up. Even the Top Writers on this website advise that mistakes should be made for learning purposes. But when I was an Engineer, there was simply no room for it.

Making money is not that hard

You don’t have to walk as little as 100 meters before you can make money.

You don’t have to stress yourself too much for money. All you need is an idea that sells, and boom! You start earning.

I won’t say I have made enough from writing as I have from construction, but I am happy with the little that is coming in.

I know it would get better, and someday I might simply relax and see my book selling all around the world while I chill in the Bahamas with my family.

There is another hard truth I learned from writing for just three months: I still love construction and will go back to it, but not as a full-time Engineer.

Kudos to everyday job workers who quit their hustle to focus on a fickle dream. I wish you well in your bidding.

Thank you so much for reading my article today. My gratitude towards you knows no bound. I would be publishing another article very soon.

Click here to get an email whenever I publish an article.

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