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Can You Actually Make Money Doing What You Love?

- April 6, 2011 | by April -

{Personal Image}

Just a quick warning: This is a rant and it does include foul language.

Something has me fired up.

For the past few weeks I’ve seen blog posts and articles popping up about how you can’t possibly make money doing what you love to do. That it’s absurd and silly to try to build a career around your passions. And that people who tell other people that they can make a living doing what they love are phonies, living in a dream world, and don’t know what they’re talking about.

Well, that’s a big stinking pile of shit.

I could use this entire blog post to list people who do what they love to do, but I won’t.

I do what I love. It took me years of trying different things to figure out what it is that I truly love doing day in and day out, but I found it. And, I make a living from it.

Do I love it every single minute of every single day? No. Is every day a fairy tale? No. There are things about running my business that I don’t love. My palms sweat and my heart drops every time I have technical issues. My head aches when I think about sorting receipts. I don’t love it all—but I would consider myself someone who gets to do what she loves to do.

Sometimes, I feel guilty, because my work makes me so truly happy that it often doesn’t even feel like my concept of “work.” I could spend an entire weekend working and be happy.

You don’t have to have an “unconventional” job to do what you love.

My husband loves what he does—and he’s a lawyer. When he first told me that he wanted to go to law school, I wondered if he’d ever be happy with his work, because I’d heard all of these horror stories about lawyers working 80 hour weeks and hating their lives.

But, he was meant to be a lawyer, because he’s incredibly competitive and feeds off of intellectual arguments. If you saw him in action, you’d know that it was meant to be. My friends and coworkers used to always be surprised when they first met my husband, because they have this douchey, uptight stereotype of lawyers {because, let’s face it—some of them are} and he’s nothing like the stereotypical lawyer.

My husband loves what he does, because he was super picky when it came to deciding where to work. He spent hundreds of hours in his last year of law school researching different firms, applying to different firms, and interviewing. He picked a firm that is family-friendly and encourages him to use his strengths.

If you have a “conventional” job, you need the right environment. That might mean working in the wrong environment until you can find the right one.

You have to be careful in choosing your passion.

One of the arguments from people who say you can’t do what you love is that you might end up not liking it if you have to do it all the time.

I agree.

You have to understand what building your life around your passion would look like. If you absolutely love to crochet baby blankets and you want to build a business around it, you better love it enough to do it for hours on a daily basis. Of course, you can always incorporate other forms of revenue. You could teach crocheting classes and sell patterns. But, you’d be doing a lot of crocheting.

But, when and if you find “it”—the thing that lights you up inside every single day, you’ll want to spend long hours doing it. In fact, you might have a hard time stopping at the end of the day. Will you love every single day? Probably not. There will be days when you want to take the day off—and that’s okay.

It takes time.

Building your career around your passions takes time and a lot of hard work. I would never tell somebody that you don’t have to work hard in order to make this happen. Maybe that’s why some people settle for a job that doesn’t require more than 8 hours a day.

Every once in a while, I have a “grass is greener” moment and I think it would be nice to have a 9-5 job that is over when the clock hits 5pm. I’ve already tried that and it didn’t make me feel good. I was bored and unsatisfied. I would never go back.

I know people who have 9-5 jobs and really enjoy them. They know what they love to do, and they’ve found a conventional job that allows them to do it. It’s all about figuring out what you want to do, and then figuring out how to make it work.

What the hell?

How in the hell does somebody get off telling someone else that she should waste a third of her life working at a job that she doesn’t enjoy?

Before you say that some people have to work jobs that they don’t enjoy to make money, I know. I’ve been there. If I need to take a job I don’t like to put food on the table, I’ll do it in a second. I worked my way through college and grad school, and so did my husband. We’ve built everything from the ground up. We didn’t just start out without money—we started out in debt. So, I get it.

But, the entire time I was working a job that I didn’t enjoy, I was also figuring out how to find one that I did enjoy.

Because, it’s a third of my freaking life. I’m not gonna waste it.

I’m going to do big things. I’m going to follow my dreams. I’m going to take risks and live a full life. And, I really and truly hope that you do, too, because the world needs people who live their dreams.

And, if you’re one of those people who doesn’t believe you can do what you love to do, you probably should go to one of those other cynical websites—because that’s what I do. I help people turn their creative dreams into reality.

Rant over.

57 Comments · Filed Under: Success

Comments

  1. Jess says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Hurrah!!!! That is all 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jillian says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:50 am

    I really liked and appreciated this post. I chucked my career as an engineer because it didn’t allow me to be creative in the way I needed to be and went back to school for interior design. If I take the typical route of interior design, I’ll make nowhere near what I used to and with none of the benefits. However, this worst case scenario of doing what I love for a living is so much better than being stuck in a cubicle all day and pretending to care about things I knew made no difference to anyone, particularly me. In my best case scenario, one day I’ll one my own firm with a retail store and make enough money to live comfortably. Either way it will be a ton of work and a long time till retirement, but I’ll be enjoying myself.

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 11:48 am

      Thanks for sharing Jillian. I was in the same place as you–stick with a stable career that pays pretty well and has benefits or follow this other path that seemed to be calling me. And, I don’t know about you, but it was a scary decision for me at the time. It took me a while to get up the courage to even say it’s what I wanted. Now, I can’t imagine not doing this.

      I wish you all the best in reaching your dreams!

      Reply
  3. Alison says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Brilliant April!!!

    I agree with every single point.

    A third of your life is a hell of a long time to spend doing something you hate.

    I know it takes time to build up a new business doing something you enjoy. I’m not there yet but I’m working really hard at it and I’m not going to give up until I succeed either! And I’m loving every minute of it, so far!

    Ali x

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 11:50 am

      Thanks Alison! It’s people like you who continue to inspire me on a regular basis. I’m so glad you’re pursuing your dreams.

      Reply
  4. Erika says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Amen. I think people confuse what you do with self-worth and get pigeon-holed. Instead of thinking that there are people that can make a living out of what they love they get bogged down by broken scripts or stereotypes.

    When people follow their purpose and do what they are meant to then it tends to be something that they can do on a continual basis. Wayne Dyer says that he does not write, he IS a writer. It is what he wants to be doing with his time and what he thinks about daily.

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 11:51 am

      I love this, “he does not write, he IS a writer.” Thanks for sharing that Erika!

      Reply
  5. Olesya Richards says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:15 am

    This is so true, April! Thanks for the great post! I’m so happy with what I do, even when it means that I have to work till midnight some days and it’s hard. I’ll never switch for a 9 to 5 day job, because the shoemaking is so much fun for me 🙂

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 11:52 am

      You know you’ve found something good when you can work till midnight and still enjoy it!

      Reply
  6. Melanie Hay says

    April 6, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Great post April!

    Really love the point that it’s not easy to make a living from what you love doing because it requires a tremendous amount of hard work, time, determination & strategic planning.

    But it is possible – you & many others are proof & inspire people like myself to keep moving forward with our dreams of achieving this one day.

    Keep ranting!

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 11:55 am

      Thanks Melanie! It’s definitely A LOT of hard work–I never want people to think that I believe you can build a successful business without making sacrifices and working hard. But, when you love what you do, that hard work is usually enjoyable.

      Reply
  7. Jordan Moore says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Great post April. It does take time and focus, but it is absolutely, 100% possible. So funny because we wrote about the same thing today on the blog. 🙂

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks Jordan. I checked out your post, and I think one of the points made in it pretty much says it all, “It depends on how bad you want it.”

      I completely agree. You’ve got to want it really bad–but I think that goes hand in hand with finding something that you love to do so much that you just couldn’t imagine not doing it.

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Nicely said! Sometimes you need a swear word or two and this topic definitely needed one. I read a really negative article recently about becoming an entrepreneur and it really got my back up too. I’m still working at an unsatisfying job, dreaming of the day I can quit and devote myself full-time to my business. You reminded me that with hard work and more faith in myself, that day will get closer and closer! Thanks so much – I needed that today!

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      Hey Erin. We might have read one of the same articles! I’m so glad that I could offer you some inspiration today 🙂 And, I wish you the best with your business!

      Reply
  9. Jill says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:26 am

    Thank you for sharing this information! You are such an inspiring person and I completely agree with you. Everyone deserves to be happy and with so much time spent working, it is important that we enjoy what we are doing.

    I especially loved this part – ” the world needs people who love their dreams”

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks for stopping by to comment Jill. I really appreciate your kind words.

      Reply
  10. Adriana says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Amen, April!

    You should rant more often!

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:09 pm

      Hahahaha…maybe I will!

      Reply
  11. Gwen says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Couldn’t agree with you more and I really appreciate that you included passions that most would consider non-creative, like your husband.

    My main passion has always been reading. Day/ night, sick/well, rich/lean times, you would always find me reading. Years ago I thought, gee wouldn’t it be nice to get paid to read? How do those fancy smancy book reviewers in the Times get their jobs?

    I started reviewing, created a portfolio and eventually got hired. (not by the Times obviously, that’s okay) Manna from heaven, I get paid to read! Now I am starting to edit books as well. Do I love every single day or book? No, but those icky days or horrible tasks allow me to grow as a person. That is still a bonus in my book.

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your story Gwen! It’s inspiring to hear how you turned your love for reading into a career.

      Reply
  12. Danielle says

    April 6, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Awesome post! Love your passion & honesty!

    Reply
    • April says

      April 6, 2011 at 12:22 pm

      Thanks Danielle!

      Reply
  13. Katie says

    April 6, 2011 at 11:44 am

    Bravo, well said! I really appreciate your encouragement, and commend you on your tasteful use of foul language.

    Reply
  14. Isidora says

    April 6, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    You know what, I like this post. It’s totally open and goes “in medias res”. I think you balanced well between your anger and a great passion for art. Definetly right time for such debate, I wish to see such texts and thoughts more often…

    Reply
  15. June says

    April 6, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I love this article! I cannot imagine working a job that I absolutley could not stand. I have a full time job that is challenging and has its days I ouwl rather being doing anything else, but over all, great place to work. I have a part time job that chops into my “funtime” But the job it self is so much fun and gives me such satifaction I cannot imagaine not doing it ( I teach childbirth education) and then there is my craft business. I have to remind myself its a business and am working toward more sustainability. Day at a time and baby steps. Once you put your mind to it and actually work at what you love, there is absolutely no reason you can’t succeed. Thanks for all of your encouragment!

    Reply
  16. Jamie says

    April 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Great post! Imagine a world where no one built a career out of something they love: No books to read, no Disneyland, no clothing fancier than a sack, no computers… the list goes on! But the reality is that even if you love what you do there are going to be days that you HATE what you’re doing and days that people are going to put you down for trying. You’re right about being careful in choosing how to pursue your passion as a business! I recently wrote a blog post about working for yourself and how others perceive creative careers. Check it out if you get a chance: http://www.bittybiz.com/2011/03/please-do-not-quit-your-day-job.html (Fair warning: It, too, contains a wee bit of foul language. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Miss Lumpy says

    April 6, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    This was exactly what I needed to read right now. I’m struggling with the first of what will have to be many degrees in subjects that I’m getting less and less confident in as my classes get harder, all to do the one thing that I really want to do. It’s good to hear that all of the work will be worth it in the end. Thank you for writing this!

    Reply
  18. Kristin says

    April 6, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Righteous Rant Girl, you tell them, uh I mean, you tell us!!!!

    (notebook out, furiously writing down affirmative pointers)

    Reply
  19. Gina says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    You go April!
    I’d say people that wrote those articles are not happy and don’t want anyone else to be happy either. Your strong voice was a breath of fresh air…I’ve worked jobs I hated too and it seems like that yucky feeling spills over into other areas of your life, which benefits no one….Thanks for your pep talk!

    Reply
  20. Cat says

    April 6, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    Wow. Not a rant — great post. I’ve been feeling the same way recently — for the first time feeling like I understand HOW to get where I want to go AND being in a position in which I can already be working toward it. Like, I’m still way in the early part of my career so I’m in the scary part, but I already get to wake up each day and DO this shit. It’s incredible. I would just keep working all day and all night and be pleased as punch.

    Reply
  21. sam says

    April 6, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    I was so depressed today, coming back from my 9 to 5 job (except that for me it’s 3 to 10 job!) and i had great doubt that i could one day become what I AM – a f***ing artist.
    Now that i’ve read your post i’m so relieved, and so motivated, and even if i have to fight against a lot of things – what they want me to be, what i’m not, what i’m no good at, that could depressed me, the only thing i’m not fighting against is myself, my only passion, my only belief. I won’t stop and that’s THANKS TO YOU. people see what they want to see.
    They -people, whoever they are, and we know who they are : lame nihilist defeated conformist frustrated people – may not agree with you and the job you are building, but you are helping a lot of people, and that’s a shame also to think that the readers of your blog are stupid or blindly believing everything you say, just because you say it. The readers, us, we believe it because we feel it. In every bones of our selves.
    So thank you again April, don’t stop, make things clear when needed, because there is a light that will never goes out.
    XX
    Sam

    Reply
  22. Sarah Stephen says

    April 7, 2011 at 12:07 am

    Oh my goodness, this post actually made me cry.

    I found someone randomly on an Etsy forum last night who admitted hiding from friends, the fact that they have a dream of their own business (which they have begun) because their friends have not been supportive of their choices and have actively discouraged them in their endeavours. I could not believe what I was reading and now here you are today with the very same thing.

    I don’t know what else to say except CONGRATULATIONS for not living their fear, for not accepting their fear as your own and for being part of a community in the world that is supportive of others’ dreams, honest, hardworking and creative. Miss April and everyone here, you make my heart a happy place.

    Anything is possible! xxx

    Reply
  23. Marta says

    April 7, 2011 at 6:26 am

    And because we are social beings we have the tendency to hear what other people say and without knowing we just stop dreaming and believing that is possible to live that dreams (but our instinct always now what’s best for us!).
    I’ve done this to myself and I have a Psychology degree!
    I can say that my most important decision was, from now on, to surround myself with people who “believe” and cheer me up, and your blog (and other blogs as well) were a big part of my transformation.
    I’m working every day (step by step) to move a little closer to my dreams.
    Thank you for your words and example of life, April!

    Reply
  24. amorfia says

    April 7, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Thank you for this great article. Everything you say is true. Though, my hobby is still only a hobby because the climate in the country isn’t in favor of small business, a lot of people told me that I waste my time making jewelry, that I should be more ambitious and find a better paid everyday job instead. Only few really understand that I’m happy with my current job because it allows me to spend time on my creative work, and that’s priceless for me, something no money can buy…

    Reply
  25. Sarah - Dodeline Design says

    April 7, 2011 at 7:54 am

    GREAT post. It’s very true. I do what I love, but doing what I love also entails things I don’t love. That’s okay though 🙂

    Reply
  26. Patty says

    April 7, 2011 at 11:02 am

    THANK YOU! I needed to hear this. I’m so tired of people telling me “well, can’t you just do your sewing as a hobby instead?” NO I can’t because as you said, this is a 1/3 of my life (another 1/3 you spend sleeping for God’s sake) and I’m not going to waste it with a job that saps me of my energy and dulls my brain cells on a daily basis. As you said doing what you love isn’t always glamorous, it’s not a Disney movie with birds tweeting outside your window every morning. But it IS rewarding, regardless, when at the end of the day you know you’re doing what you want to do, on your own terms. Woot woot!

    Reply
  27. Danielle says

    April 7, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    This really sums it up i think:
    “But, the entire time I was working a job that I didn’t enjoy, I was also figuring out how to find one that I did enjoy.”

    Everyone has pretty much had to work a job they didnt like at some point because there wasnt any other option.

    As much as i’d love to have a steady paycheck, i’d really rather just deal with the bumps in the road to do what i love!

    Great post, April!

    Reply
  28. brandi says

    April 7, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Love it April, keep going strong! I love what I do too.

    Reply
  29. Terri says

    April 7, 2011 at 9:39 pm

    Thanks, April! What a great article. I’ve already switched careers and gone back to school several times in search of that job that I really love. I’m getting closer, but not quite there yet. I know when I’m being creative, I can work for hours and have no idea that time has passed. But when I’m at work, I’m aware of every second passing as I put in my time. I’m still working on the making money part of the doing something creative, but I’m positive it will come. You and others who have replied to your post are great inspiration for those of us still trying to get there.

    Reply
  30. rachel says

    April 8, 2011 at 8:56 am

    Yes! Oh what a wonderful post…it was exactly what I needed to read today.
    Thankyou!
    (and to the other commenters…so much wisdom and encouragement here 🙂
    r xxx

    Reply
  31. Wendy says

    April 9, 2011 at 2:57 am

    Excellent – very well said. I left a secure job to work from home doing what I love and what you say is so accurate and honest. People were sad for me that I was giving up teaching (something I was good at) and thought it was a waste. Not a bit of it! I love it (but there are bits I don’t love) and am earning enough to pay my way (not as much – yet – as I did, but getting there!)

    Interestingly, my eccentric, stylish, gorgeous and witty daughter is at law school, and absolutely loves law. She’s hoping to become the first barrister who walks into a British court in shiny red high heels!!!

    Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Jaime says

    April 10, 2011 at 12:59 am

    Your “rant” pairs so well with questions that I have been obsessed with these past few years: what is it that I love to do? And out of the things I love to do, which things do I love as hobbies and which as work? And in what kind of environments do I want to work? What do I want to contribute to the world? (and all the other questions that surround these) The whole work/career thing can be so hard to figure out, but it is so important to figure out!

    Reply
  33. jessica swift says

    April 10, 2011 at 7:49 am

    Right ON! Yes, April. Love this post!

    Reply
  34. Candice says

    April 11, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Thank you for this post April! As someone with bigger dreams than my current job now, it’s always great to read (or hear) from people who have made their dreams come true and are doing what makes them happy (and making a living out of it!!)

    You (and your husband) are a great reminder that it is possible!

    Reply
  35. paula says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Hi there
    I have just come accross your blog, and I am so very glad I did. It is really interesting and reasuring for someone like me who is also following my passion in these very hard times!!!
    Your advice is great. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!!
    I would love you to have a look at my work @knitmystique.com!
    very best

    Reply
  36. Heather says

    April 15, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Go go go!!! I spent so many years of my life doing something that was NOT my passion that I got burned out and sick…and BOY is THAT expensive. Now I am creating a business for myself and am happier and healthier than ever. Passion rocks! … and with a lot of work, it will pay the bills.

    Reply
  37. kathy says

    April 20, 2011 at 4:56 am

    The fact is that if you want to work doing what you love then you need to have planned for it financially. Especially if it is something in the arts liek me , as earnings can be very unpredictable in the beginning. I planned for it, i had savings , and being single there was no *back up* in the form of a husband with a good solid job if things didnt work out for me.

    Reply
    • kathy says

      April 20, 2011 at 4:58 am

      meaning if you want to quit a *normal* job to pursue a dream

      Reply
  38. Candi says

    April 20, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    RIGHT ON!!!

    Reply
  39. Krista Goff says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:06 am

    Great post April. It is really interesting and reasuring for someone like me who is also following my passion in these very hard times!!!

    Reply
  40. Sara says

    January 25, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    While I disagree with those discouraging others from attempting to make money at what they love, there has to be a market for doing what you love. If no one wants your skills, services or products, you can’t make money at it. Reality needs to enter into your dreams at some point to make them come true.

    It’s unlikely that I will make enough money to pay my rent with my sweet liger sketches, as much as I may love to draw them.

    Reply
  41. f says

    August 3, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    unfortunately, the only thing I love doing is making music, so I can’t actually make money doing what I love. lol

    Reply

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