Happy 2022 family!
Are you getting started on those New Year resolutions? After thoughtful reflection, I wanted to share this lovely guest post by Chelsea Lamb to help you truly pursuing your passions this year.
In 2017, a Gallup poll found that over 85% of Americans were unhappy with their job. It’s not uncommon, then, for the average American to give up something they love so they can attain a better living for themselves and their families. But in the year 2021, all that may change as a shift in business practices gives us more spare time, greater flexibility and therefore new opportunities to pursue a fulfilling line of work. If you’re willing to put in the extra hours and change up your routine, then it might be possible to pay the bills doing what you love with these tips:
Time Management
If you’re serious about pursuing a passion professionally, your first step should be a change to your time management habits. With the advent of remote working, many of us have recouped time that would ordinarily be spent commuting. To make good use of these extra hours, you’ll want to hold yourself accountable with a useful app. Most of the available time management software are desktop and phone compatible, meaning you can calculate your efficiency, schedule shifts, and cut down on procrastination even when you’re on the move.
Pursuing a dream whilst working a steady job can be tough but plenty have done it before – award-winning director James Cameron used to work as a truck driver, writing his scripts during pit stops and Beyoncé once worked on a salon floor singing to customers. Multi-tasking is a learned skill and whether you’re an aspiring artist, film director, or musician, learning to work whilst you work is necessary if you want to pursue your passion and keep on top of the rent.
Upskilling
If you’re transitioning to a new career path, it’s normally a good idea to start with a qualification. Fortunately, with the availability of educational content and online courses, acquiring one is more straightforward than ever. Online learning platforms like Udemy or EdEx provide a fully virtual experience so that, regardless of where in the country you’re based, you can access their resources and learn new, practical skills or pick up niché credentials to help you apply for new roles.
Alternatively, you might be interested in taking up a full degree course. Believe it or not, these can also be accessed and earned virtually, from a remote location. Some students are currently studying for a Bachelor’s in addition to working a full-time job (although this is an incredibly time-intensive lifestyle). Remember to take extra care when signing up for long-term online courses as the lack of physical accountability has given rise to some scam imitators.
Founding a Business
If you’re confident in your idea, your ability, and your knowledge of a chosen field then you might consider starting a business of your own. This is by no means a small undertaking and, on average, the costs for establishing a company are around the $30,000 mark. You’ll also likely be sacrificing time spent working with a stable income and some of the key benefits that come as a full-time employee. Make sure you’ve asked yourself the important questions before embarking. Are you willing to work harder than currently? Do you have the personal funds to risk? And, crucially, how will a drastic change in profession affect your closest relationships?
If you’re interested in forming a business, it’s a good idea to start thinking about the form it will take. For example, a limited liability company (LLC) will reduce your personal liability, grant tax advantages, while helping you to establish early credibility. Although it’s possible to do this on your own, a service like ZenBusiness can help you save on lawyer fees and make formation easier by helping you to navigate any state regulations.
The good thing about a passion is it will usually speak for itself. Our strongest ambitions are often accompanied by a little voice that’s impossible to ignore. All you need is the willingness to listen and the work ethic to turn a dream into reality.
Until next time,
Lauryn