How many of us dream of getting paid for something we love to do?
Lets take a look at Alissa Everett’s adventure. Ever since she was a kid, she wanted to be a National Geographic, photographer. Like many, she grew numb in her ‘cubicle’ job working 100 hours a week, and applied to business school “because that’s what everyone else was doing,” she said. After looking at what it would cost to study something she wasn’t even passionate about, she decided to toss her acceptance letters and save her money. Instead, she took time off to think, and do what she loved: snapping photos while backpacking in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma.
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was a turning point for Everrett. She decided “to go where the news was happening,” hoping that this would help her get her photos published. She happened to be in the right place at the right time and showed her photos to an NBC producer who ran them on Dateline. Everrett has continued her photography career with her own twist: a desire to capture the more mundane human dramas such as a rape victim refugee starting a sewing business in the Congo. “I’m drawn to under-the-radar stories that have passion, hope, and optimism,” she says, and her goal is to tell the stories of people who can’t. (You can read her full story on page 36, of the August 2011 issue of The Oprah Magazine, by Bill Fink.)
Although I haven’t met Alissa Everett in person, I’ve met several people who succeeded in turning their passion into a career like Pamela Slim, EscapeFromCubicleNation.com , a seasoned business coach, author and professional speaker who helps frustrated employees in corporate jobs break out of their business. Karen Walrond, a former engineer who is now an author and a photographer and wrote, The Beauty of Different, “a book that will convince you that the thing that makes you different might just be your superpower.”
So how do you know if you have enough passion to turn it into a business? Is there a business you’ve been dying to start for years? One way to find out is to ask yourself this question: Can I do this for 15 hours a day, seven days a week? If your answer is “Yes,” you know that you have found a passion that you could possibly turn into a business. According to personal finance expert, Suze Orman, it takes this level of commitment, energy and perseverance to get a business up and running.
Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher developed the concept of Mondo Beyondo dreams. I heard them speak at the World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon in June 2011. They asked people, “What are you dreaming for yourself?” and started this series of Mondo Beyondo classes which you can sign up for on their website.
Here’s what I learned from their presentation.
- Trust: Whatever you dare say out loud.
- Courage: Take tiny brave steps.
- Vulnerability: Is that wobbly space, you’re not sure it will act out.
- Intuition: Listen to your heart
- Flexibility/Openness: Look at life in a new way
So as I continue forging ahead on my path of writing, blogging, learning and becoming a motivational speaker, hopefully with the necessary ingredients stated by Suze Orman’s of 15 hours a day/7 days a week, well almost, I ask you to please share what you or someone you know is doing to become the person you’ve always wanted to be. If you’ve already turned your passion into a career, we’d love to hear what you do.
I totally agree that your passion is what will drive you. If you are doing something that you are not passionate about, then you’re miserable!
Where I might diverge just a bit is linking your passion with others. If your passion is snail vomit (I don’t know if snails even do that) then finding others who have the same passion might be tough. Now granted, the internet helps find all sorts of people in all sorts of niches. If there is a snail vomit niche, the internet will find it!
My point is make sure the passion you decide to make your career, your way in the world, is something that others want! Most of us have more than one passion so if the one you decide on isn’t something others want, pick another of your passions, or tweak it until you make it something others do want.
Snail vomit jewelry anyone?
Steve recently posted..Is There Life After Work?
Steve,
Never heard of a passion for snail vomit, but I’m sure there are those who like “escargots” and put salt on them to make them “vomit” before serving them with garlic and butter. Thanks for joining in the conversation. Now you have me all curious about snails.
I hope you reach whatever goals you have set for yourself.
I am a retired Stay-At-Home Mom, and we also had a farm. So I am enjoying my retirement. I am fulfilling my dream, to have as much time to read books as I like. Raising a family and farming, didn’t leave me much time for my love of reading. I am now loving my retirement.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Gigi Ann recently posted.."Theme Thursday"
Hi Gigi Ann
I know you enjoy reading and keeping up several blogs. You deserve to do what you enjoy during retirement.
Thanks for this inspirational post!
I love writing and am lucky in that I also write for a living – both as a job and as a hobby for various publishers and companies!
Now, if only I could turn my passion for photography into a living too…
Lady Fi recently posted..Moody icons
Ladyfi,
I thought of you as I was writing about Alissa Everett and her wanting to become a National Geographic photographer.
I love the ‘tiny brave steps’ advice. That’s what I’m doing at the moment. I am determined to become a full-time author and freelance writer by the time I’m 50, which is a year away, so I’d better get cracking! Thanks for yet another inspiring blog. I would love to hear you speak – you’d be very, very motivational.
Stephanie recently posted..Some Nuggets – 40K Submissions and Best-Selling Ebook Genres
Hi Stephanie,
I’m sure you will become a full-time author. I know you have a sample of your children’s book, are you also writing for adults? I just received the book you recommended by Jason Matthews and look forward to reading it. Thanks.
Deciding to head off with the back pack was the real turning point I think. How many of us do “the right thing” and head off to study what’s sensible rather than following our passions. I know I did. I also think your 15 hour, 7 day a week question is fabulous – that’s the reality – nothing comes easy, not even if it’s your passion and that’s when most drop away. Great and “gutsy” post!
Cheryl recently posted..Yet another problem child – Merrilyn Part 13
Cheryl, I think you bring up a great point. Many believe that being passionate is enough, but don’t realize the hours spent to reach the passion turning into a career. The good news is 15 hours a day goes by much faster when you’re excited about what you’re doing. Thanks for your comment.
Very interesting to see as how you found a a job that you love!
Sailor recently posted..American Cruise Lines Sails Glacier Bay in the Summer of 2012
Thanks Sailor. Are you passionate about your job traveling and working with cruise ships?
Just a quick note about Disneyland Paris… I’ve never been to the one in California, but have been to the one in Orlando. It’s not as big as that one and doesn’t have as many rides, but it’s pretty good. The longest queue was about an hour – but these days you have Fastpass tickets: you put the ticket in a machine and get a time. You come back at the stated time and can then go into a shorter queue which means that you go straight to the ride… As for food, well – I find so much of the American food too sweet – even the breads and pizzas, so the food was better (but not that good), in my opinion. But very very expensive.
Lady Fi recently posted..Meadow sweet
Ladyfi,
Thanks for the update. I wondered about the food at the Paris Disneyland as the French wouldn’t like the sweet stuff as much. There is a ton of sugar in everything here compared to France and Denmark. That I know.
Wow, that’s a huge commitment, Sonia. I’m inspired by your passion and dedication. I’m in a different phase in my life now. My passion is slowing down, being quiet, and limiting my work hours. I know it takes a lot to succeed and I wish you all the best.
Sandra / Always Well Within recently posted..What Makes You Feel Better?
Hi Sandra,
From what I read about highly motivated people, those who turn their passion into a career put in many hours and don’t feel like it’s a job as they enjoy what they’re doing. I know you out passion into your work and writing too. It shows.
beautiful post sonia — and i really like the new look of your blog!
Amanda,
Thanks, I’m so happy that Alissa Everett sent me a Tweet today about featuring her. Are you busy writing again?
This is not an easy job at all!!