Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
I am the type of person that gets really exited when I learn something new. I am also the type of person to learn something new and then do it ad nauseam until I have successfully educated and annoyed everyone around me with it. Just ask my friends about the "I want to be a DJ" idea of 2004 or the "Law School" thing I was doing the summer after (maybe I watched Legally Blonde too many times, I don't want to talk about it). Right now it's either upcycling or furniture building, I haven't worked it out yet.
In between there's always a few other, longer ones like the "Japanese Toy Collection" that's been ongoing until my sisters came over to my house, went into my bathroom (that's where my collection was), and forcibly made me move them into a closet.
These could be classified as phases. Or obsessions if you want to use the less politically correct but possibly more appropriate term. Anyway, the thing that all of these "phases" have in common is that they are hobbies and it has taken me years to figure out the difference between a hobby and my "true callings."
Have you ever read the stories in newspapers and magazines where a woman who works in an accounting office suddenly quits to open a lobster farm in Maine? Or some version of it? That's the type of story that makes me start thinking "yeah, I should be a full time upcycler". Here are some ways to help you tell your hobbies from your passion.
1) Ask yourself honestly: Do I dislike my current job? This one is important because if the answer is yes then all you need is a career change. It's entirely possible that you can find a hobby that you like while you dislike your job and convince yourself that your hobby should be your new job.
2) Could you get sick of your hobby and still do it? This one is important too because every single career gets annoying or boring at some point. Even the lobster lady has to deal with cleaning lobster tanks every once in a while and that can't be a fun task. If you can't see yourself weathering the realistic downsides on a regular basis then keep it as a hobby.
3) Is it something you do to relax? Keep in mind that the minute you decide that your passion can be your career, you'll have to find something else to do to relax. People that own their dream cupcake shop don't go home and make cupcakes for fun.
4) What is it you like about your hobby? Finding the common denominator can help you determine if your hobby could be a career. For example, I like to make things and I have been a diehard magazine sifter since I was very young. Working in the social media field fits like a glove and speaks to the core reasons I like my hobbies (lucky for me since there's no real career path for "magazine browsers)
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
Comments
09.23.09
"forcibly made me move them into a closet" bahahaha
09.23.09
Japanese toy collection? That is too cool. Way. Too. Cool. Trust me. Ha! Seriously though, this is a great post. Just goes to show that genuine contentment isn't impossible at all when it comes to having a "job." You just have to be honest with yourself and not be afraid to follow your heart. Jeez, that sounded even cheesier than hanging up an Astro Boy shower curtain... But yes, great post Caitlin. :)
09.23.09
While freelancing, I got a job in my hobby and taught knitting (as well as working retail at the knitting store). I've got to say that after doing a few group classes, I began to realize that there is a common demoninator to teaching a group of adults anything from knitting to a language to how to poop in the woods. You're constantly on task, figuring out different ways to demonstrate a concept, have to carefully balance time with each student, and resist temptations to say, "I have no clue how or why you messed up this badly. You may be a lost cause."
But it was still knitting (and not pooping in the woods) so it was still fun and still a passion. However, I realized that I couldn't support myself teaching knitting and kept my day job.
09.23.09
Love it! Based on this, I would have to classify "bartender" as a hobby, and possibly guitar as well. Definitely would have to classify electronic gadgets as somewhat of a passion, if not obsession [according to some].
Is it a bit too much into to call a hobby if you have a rolling full rack half filled with routers and switches............??
09.23.09
I always say do what you love, what you're good at and find a way to get paid for it!
09.23.09
Very refreshing post. In my opinion the best take-away: "Is it something you do to relax? Keep in mind that the minute you decide that your passion can be your career, you'll have to find something else to do to relax." Great advice!
09.23.09
This is a really great post, and I'm glad I read it when I did. I'm definitely in the process of adding way too many interests, and not filtering out enough.
This is a nice, quick checklist to determine which might make the best careers. Thank you.
09.30.09
Great post, #2 is definitely true. Anyone can do something while it's fun, but the professional does even when he doesn't necessarily want to.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
|
|
|
