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Turn Your Passion Into a Job

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By sschilke


For many of us, our jobs are exactly that, a job. We don't love it, we don't hate it, we just do it. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a job that excites and envigorates you? It's an appealing thought, isn't it, to think that you could enjoy and feel challenged by what you do. If you are stuck in, or have lost your job, don't feel helpless... start dreaming, thinking and moving towards a job that fits your passions. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not a pie in the sky dreamer who advocates get rich quick schemes. Doing what truly inspires you and making a living at it takes time, perseverance and intelligence, but it is possible. Here are some practical tips and examples of jobs that demonstrate how you could turn your passion into a job.

Money Isn't The Only Factor

Chasing after money is not the same thing as chasing after your passion. You may make more money in a job that fits your passion, but you may not. The truth is, you must be prepared to trade off financial reward for fulfillment. That's not to say that you won't be more financially viable in your new occupation, but that there is a very real possibility that your standard of living will drop.

 


A Small Sampling of Non Traditional Jobs

Obesity Coach (Life Coach): The amount of young people who are obese is staggering. There will be a great need for people who combine an extensive knowledge of physical fitness and nutrition, with a love for kids.

Day Care Activities: Don't laugh. I have witnessed two enterprising people create financially successful programs for Day cares that provide well thought out, kid centric activities for kids ages 3-8. One instructor taught dance lessons and the other arranged for soccer activities for multiple Day cares in the region. The soccer enterprise, Soccer Shots, was actually turned into a franchise and is currently operating in fifteen different cities.

Brokers of Niche or Big Ticket Items: There are plenty of people who despise selling big ticket and niche items, especially cars. They will gladly pay a percentage of the sale for someone else to sell the it. All they want is fair compensation for the item. You may have specific knowledge gained from a hobby that makes you qualified to liquidate items for interested clients.

Sales Through Parties: I hesitate to even mention this, because I personally despise multi level marketing and direct sales, but even I have to admit, that for certain folks, this is a good fit. The Pampered Chef consultant who came to our house sincerely enjoyed demonstrating the product and mingling with the people. Most of the ladies present that night enjoyed the presentation and eventually bought something. It was low key, effective and dare I say profitable. If you are a people person, organized, willing to hustle and believe in your product, being a direct sales consultant can be a enjoyable way to make an income.

Entertaining Kids: In my town there is a man who performs regionally at local schools. He has written a number of different songs that children enjoy and has developed a show that can be integrated into different parts of the language arts curriculum. I used to think this guy was a cast off, a man on the edge of the wasteland of music. I was wrong. He loves what he does and he makes a good living do it. His fee per show is $400-600 and he performs 180 times a year (many times 2-3 performances a day), which leaves him a fair chunk of time for other endeavors. He is not alone. I have seen others do the exact same thing with Yo-Yo, power lifting and basketball trick shows.

 

Understand What Makes You Tick

In order to find the job of your dreams, the job that you can be passionate about, you must understand what makes 'You" tick. Spend time trying to understand what motivates you, what disgusts you, what you value, and what you are good at. In the athletic world, when training, there is a popular phrase, "Listen to your body". This phrase reminds athletes to listen for  sutle signs, to differentiate between soreness and injury. In a job search, you should do the same thing, you should "listen to your history". Remember what you excel at, what you enjoy, what motivates and inspires you. If you rush blindly into a job without considering your inner pulse, you are bound to be disappointed. Spend sometime reflecting on who you are before you jump into the next job.

You May Have to Work a Second Job

The reality of making ends meet is real and a constant pressure. Sometimes you can't find the right job because necessity demands that you make money. Don't let this stop you. In order to achieve your dreams, you may just have to work two jobs, one that makes the money and the other that eventually will develop into a full time income. The key words are patience and perseverance. Many niche jobs take time to fully mature, don't expect instant results.

You Probably Will Have to Make Your Own Opportunity

Do not expect jobs that align with your passion and interests to be readily available in the traditional marketplace. Many of these jobs happen because an opportunism, vision and flexibility. Make a commitment to observing and analyzing the environment in which you live. Are there areas of need that require a service that you are an expert or enjoy? Many times, to take advantage of these opportunities, you will have to find a way to offer your service/product and then make it happen. This means that you will be in business for yourself, a solo operator.

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AngryITChick  says:
10 months ago

He speaks the truth, I'm a Comic Book writer disguised as a Quality Assurance manager for an IT deparment.  It's not always about what you're doing but who you're doing it with.  I love the geeks at my job

BkCreative profile image

BkCreative  says:
10 months ago

Yes, it's time to do this. And I know some people who have left the grind and created their own businesses - they are so happy and earning money...this is inspiring me to write an article about people turning their passion into money making projects. Hmmm.

Thanks$$$$$ a lot

coffeesnob profile image

coffeesnob  says:
10 months ago

Good advice. Nothing like doing what you enjoy and getting paid for it.

foxility profile image

foxility  says:
10 months ago

It's important to love your job. I know people that hate their job and are miserable people... it's really sad.

sschilke profile image

sschilke  says:
10 months ago

AngryITchick,

I agree, working with good people makes things much easier.

BK Creative,

Not sure if it's sarcasm or not, but best of luck.

cofeesnob,

Thanks for dropping by.

Foxility,

I think I work with some of those people.

Thanks,

Sschilke

TheRealTruth profile image

TheRealTruth  says:
10 months ago

I feel what youre sayin man. I'd have to say that HubPages is a step in that direction for me at least.

ReuVera profile image

ReuVera  says:
10 months ago

"Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby!" --Higgins, Act I (Pygmalion, Bernard Shaw)

fatuisred profile image

fatuisred  says:
9 months ago

Thank you!

your are right on key, I love to take picture, I find hubpage and now eveytime i do a hub I add my pictures... I am new to the hubpage i do love it... I love reading some of the hub... I think that I am not a persons who like to write, i think the more I do it the more I like it... It's something about the hubpages that keeps you coming back for more!!

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