But Paul Graham never recommends mindlessly working on things that don't interest you for the sake of some imagined tomorrow.
He even recommends not to do it:
"...if you think there's something admirable about working too hard, get that idea out of your head. You're not merely getting worse results, but getting them because you're showing off — if not to other people, then to yourself."
That's a strawman version of what Paul is suggesting.
" Are you really interested in x, or do you want to work on it because you'll make a lot of money, or because other people will be impressed with you, or because your parents want you to?"
"The best test of whether it's worthwhile to work on something is whether you find it interesting"
"Working hard is not just a dial you turn up to 11. It's a complicated, dynamic system that has to be tuned just right at each point. You have to understand the shape of real work, see clearly what kind you're best suited for, aim as close to the true core of it as you can, accurately judge at each moment both what you're capable of and how you're doing, and put in as many hours each day as you can without harming the quality of the result. This network is too complicated to trick. But if you're consistently honest and clear-sighted, it will automatically assume an optimal shape, and you'll be productive in a way few people are."
"It's good to go on vacation occasionally, but when I go on vacation, I like to learn new things. I wouldn't like just sitting on a beach."
Listen to PG kids. Not some misinterpretation of what he's saying.
But I hope you can find the peace you're searching for. I really do.
I understand the agony of not being able to get what you want.