Are you tired of showing up for work
day after day just because you’re supposed to? You go not because you want to,
but because you have to in order to put food on your table and keep a roof over
your head. You’ve clearly lost that loving feeling for your job and now you
don’t know what to do about it.
If this sounds like you, you’re not
alone. A study from the Deloitte University Press
reported that up to 87.7 percent of America’s workforce is not able to
contribute to their full potential because they don’t have passion for their
work. Furthermore, less than 12.3 percent of America’s workforce possesses the
attributes of worker passion.
If you fall into these demographics,
maybe it’s time to find out what you’re really passionate about and turn that
into your life’s career. Here are six steps to help.
1. Discover your passion.
Your passion should be the thing you
enjoy and for which you are naturally wired to excel. There is a huge
difference between a hobby and a passion, and it is crucial that you
differentiate between the two before quitting your day job. For instance, just
because you enjoy painting does not necessarily mean you should make it your
profession. You might be better at graphic design, which uses some of the same
artistic talents as painting. Keep an open mind and explore all of your
options.
2. Determine
the demand.
After you have discovered your
passion, determine the level of demand for your skills and choose a field. It’s
risky to plunge into a career with a very low demand, or one with a large
number of competitors even though you love it. However, the number of
competitors should not be the deal breaker. If you are confident in your
skills, it is very possible to establish yourself and compete quite
comfortably, as long as you have a strong marketing strategy.
3. Do your research.
Conduct a detailed search on what it
would take to launch your career in this field. You may need to acquire
specific machinery or equipment, or earn a certification, degree, or special
training. You may even need to hire employees or solicit funding. To save
headaches later, find out all you can now.
Interview people who have or are in a
similar business to the one you’re considering. Learn what they did to succeed
and follow their path, especially if you choose to work in a niche market.
4. Make a
plan.
Make a detailed plan of the steps you
need to take to make your passion a realistic career opportunity. Include what
you need to do and how much you need to spend before you launch into your new
venture. If possible, always have a back-up plan in case Plan A doesn’t work
out.
5. Become qualified.
To be taken seriously, you must first
become a professional. Having a special skill may not be enough to deem you an
expert, so acquire the training necessary to become marketable. Take a night,
weekend or online class while you’re in your current job, or a sabbatical to
attend an intensive training or internship. As the saying goes, “The more you
learn, the more you will earn.”
6. Be
flexible.
Your road is not always going to be
smooth, so plan for hiccups and make adjustments along the way. Be open to
advice and criticism; other people’s insights may open your eyes to something
new. No one can succeed alone. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself
with talented individuals or to form an advisory board to
help you make the right decisions.
Turning your passion into a career
requires motivation. Be proactive and take a step every day that gets you
nearer your goal. The fruits of your labor will eventually pay off and you’ll
be well on your way to doing what you love.
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