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It’s the ultimate dream: getting paid to do what you love. But what does it take to transform your hobby or passion into a full-time occupation?
First of all, enthusiasm alone is not enough to sustain a business; hard work, perseverance and ongoing development are required if you want to see any long-term success. Then there is also always the risk that turning your passion into a paid gig could potentially ruin your love for it.
While turning your passion into your career could be the best decision you ever make, here are some things to consider before taking the leap.
Do Your Research
Not every passion or hobby has the potential to generate a profit, so one of the first things you need to determine is level of demand for the particular skill or type of work that you are considering,
If possible, speak to people already working in the field to gain an understanding of what the every-day work is like, what level of ability is required and how they got up and running. Get an idea of how competitive the industry might be and what it would take to launch a career in the field. You might require equipment, training or certification before you start, and large upfront costs may mean you need to seek funding or financial backing.
Remember, professional careers don’t exist for everything; be realistic about your level of skill and your hobby’s business potential. If turning your passion into a full-time job isn’t practical, you may be able to find a fulfilling opportunity in a closely related area so be sure to keep an open mind.
It May Take Time
Giving up your day job to pursue your dream job doesn’t happen overnight; it can take months or even years of planning, practice and training to become adequately experienced and prepared to take on a new career.
Thinking carefully about how you intend to make this transition and taking the time to thoroughly plan will minimise both personal and financial stress and help give your new venture the best possible start.
There are likely to be setbacks and obstacles during your journey; try to learn from your mistakes and don’t get discouraged. Remaining flexible and adjusting your plans accordingly will enable you to transform apparent hurdles into valuable lessons.
Get Qualified
In many cases, possessing a natural aptitude or ability might not be enough to pursue a career and formal training or education may be required. Further study will not only fill any gaps in your skill set, but it will also signal to future employers and clients that you’re serious about making a career change.
The type of training needed will largely be determined by the field you are looking to enter, so be sure to investigate your options. For instance, if your passion is fitness, you might be able to work for yourself as a personal trainer, but the cost of purchasing liability insurance will cost significantly more, instantly eating into your profit margin.
Undertaking relevant education (like this personal training course in Melbourne) would not only give you a head start in the industry and improve your chances of employment, but it may also open your eyes to other opportunities you hadn’t thought about, like progressing into other areas like sports management or personal branding.
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to make a career out of your passion, but by doing your research and taking time to gain the required skills, experience and qualifications, you’ll give yourself a helping hand getting you one step closer to turning your dream into a reality.
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