I would choose fame over money any day.

This isn’t because I want to be a famous actress or singer or even the next Katie Couric, but I want to be well-known for what I do.

I figure that if you work as hard as you can at something you are passionate about, you can make a name for yourself.

Even if you are only “famous” in a specific field, you have accomplished a lot more than lucking upon a million dollars.

Of course, there are “lucky” ways to become famous as well. You can date a celebrity, star in a sex tape or choose reality television, but I’m not counting these types of cop-outs.

The type of fame that I’m talking about is respect. I want people to talk about me and what I do in an honoring way. I want to be known as great at my job.

In all honesty, most fame brings money.

Even the crappy I-had-eight-kids-and-exploited-them-for-TV type of notoriety brings in the cash.

That’s the one reason I don’t understand why people choose money when asked the ever-popular “fame or money” question. Money just buys things. Fame buys honor, admiration, status and intrigue.

Now, I’m not saying that becoming famous means everything to me or that its a goal that everyone should aspire to be.

Not at all.

I’m just under the impression that it’s a worthwhile thing to want. No one is going to criticize you for doing your best and becoming top in your field, but lots of people secretly turn their noses up at the nouveau-riche.

I’m not criticizing money. In fact, I’m insanely jealous of people that can afford weekend trips to Paris and Balenciaga bags. My parents have always said that I need to find a well-paying job because I like the finer things in life.

Obviously, I went into journalism.

For the two of you who don’t know this, journalism is not a high-paying career choice. You really need to love it to choose it. There are many paths of journalism, some I love and some I despise.

That is why I don’t plan on covering local spot news the rest of my life. I plan on writing for the entertainment industry, and I plan on doing so well that people know my name.

I don’t think this “wanting to be known” thing is a generational issue, either. I have many friends who are content to be who they are, do what they want and remain out of the spotlight.

My reasons are slightly more complex than an average person’s thought process.

I like to set goals for myself, so that I work harder and harder. I like to push myself to the limit in about everything I do.

By choosing fame over money, I don’t just work until I can afford an exotic cruise or a nicer apartment, I work longer and harder. Becoming famous for being an amazing writer is one thing, but keeping your name in the spotlight requires relentless hard work.

I don’t like stopping, and I don’t plan on it. I think this is something everyone can aspire to – hard work that never ends, regardless of fame or money.

But like I said, I’d choose fame over money any day.

However, if someone does decide to pay me tons of money to do my job, you won’t hear my complaining. You’ll just hear the “ca-ching” of the register at Apple ringing up their latest overpriced gadgets that I just can’t seem to get enough of.