How to Make a Living Doing What You Love
Are you one of those who feels like quitting your job every Sunday afternoon and start every Monday dreaming of how you can make it through to Friday? Many of us think that our lives would just be amazing if, by some miracle we could win the lottery and then do what we really want without giving a second thought to the money we lack. The caveat is that we usually think that without even buying the lottery ticket, or really believing we could make money doing what we actually enjoy.
What if you really could make a living doing what you love? Here are 5 steps that will assist you in being contented in what you do, and those worry lines on your forehead will soon diminish.
Start examining the details you enjoy about your everyday life.
Do you like the pace of your job? Do you like interacting with coworkers or clients? Is there a project you are excited about? Look at what these things have in common. Is there a way you feel that is similar in all of these areas? Is there something special about each that makes you smile? Start looking for other things that have a similar effect for you. You don’t need to find similar activities, rather look at what they cause in you, even if they don’t have anything in common. What can you add to your life that will make you have more fun and more money?
Do something that makes you come alive.
When you are doing something that makes you come alive and you enjoy it at your core, you forget about time and worries. When you are in this place ask yourself: How can I produce more of this? And, if you are stopping yourself because you feel shy, or not capable enough, what if you just indulge yourself and you go for it? You can try it somewhere nobody knows you, or with really close people that have your back. When you go for it, you might surprise yourself, or at the very least you’ll get that “rock star” feeling of just accomplishing it.
Look at what comes naturally.
What comes easily to you? What is something you assume everybody else can do because it’s so natural for you, that you assume it’s natural for everyone. Something you can spend hours doing. Something that is so pleasurable for you that you would do it for free, or even pay to do it. This very thing might be your special talent that could make you lots of money. You’re probably discounting it because it is so easy and fun for you. Have you decided that you cannot get paid for doing that because it would be a sin to get paid for having so much fun? What if you could start doing it for profit? Start doing some research on how you could transition this from a lifestyle activity to a paid side gig or permanent position. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Look at what you think you don’t like
Consider what you don’t like doing, which could be the very thing that gets in the way of you doing what you really like. Is it really you who doesn’t enjoy it, or were you taught that it was not enjoyable? How do you know the difference? Ask yourself: If I hadn’t decided that this is terrible or boring, how could I have fun with this? Is it really me who doesn’t like this or is it just a learned aversion?
Even if it’s a menial task in your life – if there is something you really don’t like doing, ask: What can I change here that will make it enjoyable? For example, if you hate doing the dishes, why not try doing them while listening to your favorite songs? Think of the difference of doing your laundry while telling jokes with your significant other or while on the phone laughing with a friend versus being all alone in the basement. When you turn up your joy, your activities become much more enjoyable.
Ask for the money.
One of the major reasons we don’t make a living doing what we enjoy is because we don’t charge for it. You can practice standing in front of the mirror, open your hand and say, “can I have the money please?” And if there is any feeling of inadequacy, of “how will I charge for it,” just do a quick search, or look to people who are charging for similar things. How can you get started? Look at the quantity that you would like to charge and be realistic, do you really think people will pay you that? There is magic number where you feel comfortable charging that amount and excited to get it. Start asking for the money, even if you start small. It’s not about how slowly or quickly you get there, rather getting there at your pace.
You can do it!
I challenge you to try the above steps for one month. Start a diary where you can write (or record, or video) the changes you start to see and the things you think throughout your progress. Notate them as soon as you notice them. Start being grateful for everything that you notice, both the positive and the negative. Read what you have written every week and ask yourself: Is this true? Has this changed for me? What else is possible on this issue that I have not considered yet?
When you ask these questions, you give yourself the task to start searching (just like when somebody tells you to look for yellow cars and suddenly it looks like every yellow car in the city is out driving). This will give you the space to start being aware of what is actually available for you, of what you really are capable of, and you might start to actually have fun while doing it.
This guest post was authored by Elena Blanco
With over 20 years of experience in executive roles within world class corporations, Elena Blanco is a skilled communicator and negotiator. She has created and lead high-performing teams and successful business strategies both in the public and private sectors.
Elena is an entrepreneur, with an international practice where she coaches others on how to change their lives for the better. She is a Being You facilitator, a special program of Access Consciousness, and a business coach with an MSc. in Economics. Her unique combination of corporate experience, coaching and entrepreneurship, along with her passion for creating a greater world, gives her the capabilities to empower others to create more in their lives and businesses.
