I think we have all heard at some point Confucius’ advice quoted in various forms: “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”. As ancient as this advice is, it is perfectly true in all eras of human life and work. The happiest, most creative and successful people are those who do something they love for a living.
If we think of the greatest visionaries that pushed the advancement of human civilization, arts, science and technology, they basically followed their dreams and hobbies and turned them into a serious pursuit. And they never stopped or got bored, because they were actually enjoying themselves doing that job.
So, if you have a hobby that is not just fun, but can also become a job for you, why shouldn’t you turn it into a home business? Are you good at photography? Do you enjoy making vlogs? Are you good at creating digital art? All these, and many others, are hobbies which you could turn into a freelance profession. But can you do this in a sustainable manner over time? These four tips will help you do that:
1. Educate Yourself to Work under a Deadline
It sounds less fun and exciting when you have to finish processing a batch of photos or designing a website banner by a certain date. However, a little self-discipline will help you focus on what you are doing. A big help in this direction is to eliminate distractions from your home office. You should remove the TV set and DVD player to start with. It is OK to keep a rack of music CDs to keep you entertained while you work, but take out the video games and put them in another room.
Start by setting a realistic deadline for a hobby project and tell yourself that you must finish it by that deadline. After you have finished, evaluate your state of spirit: was it still fun and exciting doing the work in these conditions? Do you feel proud of yourself for achieving the goal you set? Use these positive emotions as motivators for the future.
2. Find the Right Price
As a hobby, your efforts are priceless because they bring you enjoyment. As a business, they must have a fair and competitive price. But what is the price? Can you compare yourself to a professional in the field and charge the same price? Or should you start from a beginner level?
You have to be very honest with yourself, add up your expenses and set a realistic profit margin. Yes, we are all proud of our talent and dedication, but the free market is full of other talented and dedicated professionals like you. Put yourself in the client’s shoes: would you pay the price you want to charge for that product or service?
3. First You Try, Then You Trust
It’s an old saying, but it is fully applicable here too. Do not quit your full-time job and launch yourself in troubled waters. Start marketing your hobby during your spare time and on weekends and see how it goes. In the worst case scenario, you will keep it as a hobby. In a not-so-rosy scenario, you make some money; not enough to become your main source of income, but enough to keep it as a side source of money. And if you really become successful, then you can consider turning your hobby into a full time home-based business.
4. Commitment of Pastime?
This is an important question to ask yourself before making the final decision. Even if your business model is sustainable, do you really enjoy doing this because it comes from an inner drive? Or is it just a way to spend your time, decompress and get rid of the stress from your 9 to 5 job? If it is not something you would enjoy doing no matter what, then it is more a pastime than a commitment, and you may possibly stop seeing it as a hobby when it becomes work.
It is not a simple decision, turning your hobby into a career. The riskiest situation is when you stop enjoying doing it as work and then your business fails. However, with dedication and enthusiasm, you can do something you love and never work a single day in your life again.