How many of us truly love what we do? As little as 20% of workers feel passionate about their jobs, with 1 in 3 of us feeling that we can’t progress any further in our current career. If you were asked to rank the things you enjoyed doing, would your job even rank in the top 10? Lots of us find happiness outside of the 9-5, with hobbies, family time or socializing with friends being the reason we get up in the morning. But what if you actually loved what you do? Here are five ways to make money doing what you love.
Gain Qualifications In Your Favorite Hobby
If you’re considering a career change more focused on your favorite hobbies, getting qualified is an excellent place to start. If you love going to the gym and participating in a spin class, why not consider a cycling instructor certification? If you want to pursue something you love, gaining greater confidence and knowledge of the subject is an excellent place to start.
Start A Side Hustle
If you’re already qualified in what you love, or think you know enough to get started, why not start a side hustle? Pop-up shops are popular on sites like Etsy or Instagram, and require no fees to set-up in most cases. You might make jewelry and want to extend to selling it online beyond your usual circle of friends and family. Or if you write your friends and family resumes, why not offer your services on a freelance site like UpWork.
Look At Companies That Already Do What You Love
If you feel your career isn’t going anywhere, you might need to work for a company that has at least some focus on something you enjoy. Look at companies that do what you like to do. You might find a company that has clients more focused in that particular area, or one that regularly contributes to a particular charity or a cause.
Make Change Where You Are
If your job is becoming monotonous, try making changes where you are. If you love five-a-side football, see if anyone wants to start a workplace team. Sign up for a cause you love and ask workmates to donate. If you’re just looking for a little more variety in your life, start making changes within the company or routine you currently have.
Find Colleagues With Similar Hobbies
You might be at work with them, but that doesn’t mean you always have to talk about work. Networking is an essential part of progression, and it’s far easier to do if you share common hobbies with your colleagues. Float the conversation at lunch, and see if anyone shares your particular love for gaming, football or dance. Find a hit? Then try chatting to them about it in future.
Conclusion
The phrase ‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life’ could well be true, and it’s up to us to take the chance and live it. There are many different ways to make money doing what you love, from finding people that share common ground at work, to actually going out there and starting to work in that area. Aligning your career with your passions are a sure-fire way to develop your career and your personal happiness.