One of the best gifts I’ve given myself in my adult life is to do what I love, and love what I do. I’m not exaggerating when I say it has completely changed my life, in so many positive ways.
It’s especially vital for creative types, and those drawn to spiritual matters – yeah, I’m talking to you! It’s time to destroy the stereotype of the Starving Artist (I have a whole rant on that topic, which I’ll save for another post) once and for all. Now is the perfect time to expand into doing what you love as a full-on career path.
I’m not saying to quit your day job tomorrow. It’s taken me about a decade to fully transition into a place where I’m making a living doing what I love – and I’m still building pieces of it!
Here are three key ways to build your dream career.
- DO what you love. You might need to find out what that is first, or maybe you already know. But no matter what it is, build time into your life to actually DO it. Even if you’re currently in a soul-sucking 9-to-5 job, or you have little kids, or you care for elderly parents – maybe it’s all of the above! No matter what your current life looks like, you can take an hour during the week to do something that lights you up. Build a habit. The more you do it, the more it will expand into the rest of your life.
- LOVE what you do. Even the aforementioned soul-sucking day job? Yes! Even that. Change your attitude. Up your game. Switch jobs, if it’s possible. Look at it as a temporary gig, a “bridge job” to what you’d rather be doing. Learn to love the perennial housework – when I decided to let go of resentment about household chores, I discovered that doing dishes or folding laundry is the perfect time to daydream new book ideas! The more joy you allow into your daily experience, the more opportunities will appear before you. It’s a matter of tuning in to outside-the-box ideas that were there all along – you just couldn’t see them through your fog of grumpiness and boredom.
- Get some SUPPORT. I struggled along, trying to DIY my business for several years. Then I hired a biz coach – one who I resonated with. She has tattoos and rescues pit bulls, and is delightfully witchy. I adore her. Find someone cool who knows a ton about what you’re trying to do and hire them. Use that old reliable bridge job to fund the building of something better. Leveraging your success by hiring someone amazing will save you a lot of struggle, confusion, and frustration.
In order to thrive, you need – and deserve – to do what you love. We’ve been collectively sold a whole crappy philosophy about work being a drag and creativity not being profitable. There’s no need to suffer.
Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Take that first step on the path to doing what you love, and learn to love everything you do along the way.
(Is writing one of your secret loves? Want some support in making it part of your everyday life? Join my e-newsletter list at the website).
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