I think the message of doing what you love can be misinterpreted.

Doing what you love generally means you are doing something that you are good at--which increases your chances of becoming a pro at whatever "it" is and earning more money.

I know of plenty of people who got rich doing something they didn't enjoy (I guess corporate law comes to mind)--and decided to make a career overhaul.

Where this gets misinterpreted, imo, is that doing what you love still takes planning, self-marketing, strategizing. Just doing it doesn't mean that all the necessary components magically fall into place.

Let me just say this about myself: I have got to be one of the biggest business dingbats on the planet. (although when I learn, I reallllly learn). I go into things impulsively and I get knocked down by 10-foot waves and dragged down by undertows.

I keep on because I love writing, and I love writing copy. And I happen to know that I am going to get the business side of things right one of these days.

If I had to suffer these same mistakes as a lawyer, or accountant, or programmer I would've taken a one way rocket ride to Neptune by now.

Bingo. Good post Suzanne. You're exactly right. Our love and passion for something keeps us going when things can get difficult. Especially when the money isn't coming in as fast as we'd like. I agree 100%!

I agree with both of you more than my copywriting skills allow me to articulate. That sounds right.

Ben, you've lost me again with your long, rambling, incoherent post full of obscure references and promotional links.

Yes, Suzanne. You've got to figure out a way so your "love" can make you money. I can't remember what CD set I was listening to, but the author was describing this process. The best moneymaking adventures are ones that combine something you love to do with serving a hungry market so it's profitable for you.

One of the things I do on the side is teach kids how to shoot a basketball. Growing up I spent a lot of time playing basketball and shooting baskets in the gym, so over the years I became quite good at it. Then a couple of years ago, I found out that someone was making a good living teaching kids how to pitch a baseball. I instantly took his idea, adapted it to my love of basketball, and began teaching basketball shooting lessons. I found out that parents and kids are hungry for this. So yes, Michel, I found a way to monetize it. I can't believe I didn't figure it out before I actually did, when I read about the baseball pitching teacher.

Then I found out other coaches and some parents would like to know how to do it, so I put together a manual for them. So now I can make money by teaching kids how to play, and I make money by showing other coaches how to open up there own lessons business.



Yeah, it took some work to set up, but it was fun doing it.

Bill

Bill


That is a fantastic example of figuring out how to make money by doing what you love!

But Suzanne figuring out how to make money doesn't necessarily mean that money will be made OR that the time spent for the return generated wouldn't be higher doing something else.

I think what Bill has done is tremendous-- I really do. I just don't think doing what we love is going to get us the most bang for our buck. Obviously everyone has to pick and choose how big a priority money is and then try building a business around the size of your income desires.

If you want to make the most money in the most minimal amount of time you look for that elusive "starving crowd" and then create/find products or services that satisfies those desires. Most often what "we love to do" isn't targeted to that starving audience. But usually an audience that's just looking to snack.

Great example.

It was Wayne Dyer who told the story of how one guy hates his job. But when Wayne asked him what he loves to do, he replied that he LOVES working in his orchard. He feels a sense of passion and completeness when doing so. But he never quit his job simply because, "How would he monetize working in a personal orchard?" For one, nobody wants apples at the local farmer's market: so he couldn't sell them.

Then one day, he had an epiphany. He found out that some booths at the local farmer's market were selling homemade apple pies and apple sauce. He introduced himself to them, told them about his orchard and love of apples, and become their new supplier.

Bottom line, he found a way to monetize doing something he loved. It wasn't an overnight process, but he got there.

The Confucian saying goes, "Do what you love and the money will follow."

I prefer Peter McWilliams' version, in his book Life 101, who said: "Do what you love and the necessary resources will follow."

And "resources" can be ideas, partners, joint ventures, markets, new twists, investors, etc.

You've hit the nail on the head here. Most of us really do have to choose between living a purposeful life and making some money or doing the 9-5 and attaining wealth.

Personally, I choose passion over profit. If both can be attained then that's nirvana.

It's actually not as rare these days ... especially since the internet. Many people are making a living using their computer - a dream no one would have even thought of 30 years ago.

I agree with you. But my point was (at least in part) that if you are going to make money at what you love, you need to come up with a workable strategy to get it.


Ok...well, that's people who want the most money in the least amount of time.

I don't think there is a right or wrong way here. Seems like we are talking about two kinds of folks: those who want to earn a lot and work minimally in order to do what they love on the side.

And those who want to find a way to make a decent (or perhaps excellent) living doing what they love.

Just two different ways of spending time and energy.