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# Learn, Earn, or Have Fun: My Two-of-Three Rule for Taking Work
- URL: https://robweidner.com/earn-learn-have-fun/
- Published: 2026-10-16T12:49:38.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-16T12:49:38.000Z
- Description: The unemotional rule I use to pick projects: it has to hit two of three.
- Author: Rob Weidner, PMP
- Tags: Founder, Film

I came across a 2021 tweet from [Garry Tan](https://www.ycombinator.com/people/garry-tan?ref=robweidner.com) of [Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/?ref=robweidner.com) about career advice: learn or earn. “Either is fine. Both is best.”

> My best career advice:  
>  
> At every job you should either learn or earn. Either is fine. Both is best. But if it's neither, quit.
> 
> — Garry Tan (@garrytan) [April 1, 2021](https://x.com/garrytan/status/1377661970178973696?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=robweidner.com)

I disagree with the “either is fine” part. One on its own isn't enough for me. And there's a third box missing: having fun. Reading it reminded me of the framework I still use to choose projects.

Early in my career I trained under a cinematographer who had one unemotional rule for taking a job: earn, learn, or have fun. It has to hit at least two out of three.

- Great pay that teaches me nothing and drains me? **No**.
- A chance to learn something new, but no decent pay and no enjoyment? **No**.
- A fun gig that pays nothing and teaches nothing? **No**.

One box isn't enough. Two boxes? Go for it. All three? You've hit a home run.

I used it to pick film jobs, and it works just as well outside the industry. I still run every project through it. It takes the feelings out of a yes, so I can say it fast and mean it.