Turning your passion into a career
Many people get tired showing up for work every day just because they are supposed to.
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They go not because they want to, but because they need to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head.
Most people have lost that loving feeling they had for their job and don’t know what to do.
Here are some steps to help you find out what you are really passionate about and turn that into your life’s career.
Discover your passion
Your passion should be the thing you enjoy and for which you are naturally wired to excel.
There is a huge difference between a hobby and a passion, and it is crucial that you differentiate between the two before quitting your day job.
For instance, just because you enjoy painting does not necessarily mean you should make it your profession.
You might be better at graphic design, which uses some of the same artistic talents as painting. Keep an open mind and explore all of your options.
Determine the demand
After you have discovered your passion, determine the level of demand for your skills and choose a field. Its risky to plunge into a career with a very low demand or one with a large number of competitors even though you love it.
However, the number of competitors should not be the deal breaker.
If you are confident in your skills, it is very possible to establish yourself and compete quite comfortably as long as you have a strong marketing strategy.
Research
Conduct a detailed search on what it would take to launch your career in this field.
You may need to acquire specific machinery or equipment, or earn a certification, degree or special training. You may even need to hire employees or solicit funding. To save headaches later, find out all you can now.
Interview people who have or are in a similar business to the one you are considering and learn what they did to succeed and follow their path, especially if you choose to work in a niche market.
Make a plan
Make a detailed plan of the steps you need to take to make your passion a realistic career opportunity. Include what you need to do and how much you need to spend before you launch into your new venture.
If possible, always have a back-up plan in case Plan A doesn’t work out.
Become qualified
To be taken seriously, you must first become a professional. Having a special skill may not be enough to deem you an expert so acquire the training necessary to become marketable.
Take a night, weekend or online class while you are in your current job, or a sabbatical to attend an intensive training or internship.
As the saying goes, “The more you learn, the more you will earn.”
Be flexible
Your road is not always going to be smooth, so plan for hiccups and make adjustments along the way. Be open to advice and criticism; other people’s insights may open your eyes to something new.
No one can succeed alone. That is why it is important to surround yourself with talented individuals or to form an advisory board to help you make the right decisions.
Turning your passion into a career requires motivation so be proactive and take a step every day that gets you nearer to your goal.