Making the Journey from Avocation to Vocation

What do you enjoy doing? Is it making arts and crafts, tutoring kids, creating fashion designs, dancing or programming computers?

I’m convinced whatever you enjoy as a hobby or passion can be turned into your career. Some people want to keep their hobbies just that, keeping their passion separate from the way they earn a living. Others search for something more in terms of a career yet something enjoyable. So why not turn one of your passions into the way you earn a living? Most people have more than one passion, so pick one that provides the easiest transition from your avocation to your vocation. If you put in enough time and energy, you can take any idea and figure out a way to add value in order to earn income. I did that with my business by offering four major components: leadership training, coaching, consulting and working with teams. All of those things I previously performed voluntarily at non-profits, for friends and colleagues, as side projects at my main job and were things I enjoyed doing in my spare time. I was passionate about helping people improve their skills in the workplace, so I decided to pursue that full-time, turning it into a small business versus a corporate job. I had an option to do both, but with a small business I had more creative license to carry it out the way I thought would add the most value to myself and others. Since I like helping people improve their lives, it made sense that I named my company Improve^® Consulting and Training Group.

People say I work a lot. But the interesting thing is when I volunteered the same number of hours to do this work in addition to my main job responsibilities, no one said anything. It is interesting how people might put you into their box as they may be ready to leave their job at 4 o’clock because they did not select an occupation they enjoy. It is sometimes difficult for individuals to imagine how someone could get lost in what they are doing because they enjoy it that much. For some who are at work so many hours, it strongly matters what they do while they are there.

So whether it is volunteer work you enjoy, a hobby or passion, there are a few things you can do to get started turning them into part-time or full-time jobs, businesses or careers:

1. Research areas of interest and explore if there are others doing similar things and receiving compensation. Discover the variety of ways people are taking the same idea and providing value for payment.
2. Narrow down your list to one or two things you believe you would enjoy and also have the skills to do. Research these areas to find out if there are requirements needed should you charge fees that go beyond what is required as an avocation.
3. Decide how you want to use your interest. Is it a job at another company? Is it a small business? Or is it a part-time job?
4. Build your plan. If it is for a small business, you will need a client engagement plan speaking to the offer and payment responsibilities. If it is a career at a company, research companies for job openings or network with people you know at those companies to provide suggestions for opportunities.
5. Spend some time on your plan and narrow down the core area where you will focus your energy. Some days you may work quite a few hours, while other days you may work a few minutes. When you are turning your avocation or passion into a vocation, it does require hard work, mental energy and a strong intentional focus.

If you follow these steps, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in a few months. You will also be pleased to achieve a “win-win situation” as the very thing you enjoy is also what financially rewards you.

Even though there is a high-level of work involved when you are receiving financial compensation, so much of your day is surrounded by what you love; making it much more enjoyable. I rarely say I’m going to work. I think of it as going to fulfill my passion every day and since making the switch; I actually look forward to Mondays.