Being that I am a ‘woman of a certain age’ I know things, things I didn’t know when I was young. And so I am going to push my ideas on you, I mean SHARE my ideas, with you.
I want you to know how to do what you love!
I know I normally blog about design, but I hear a lot of readers say they wish they had my life, and so I have some ideas on how you can have the life of your dreams.
When my kids were little I had no experience or training in design, or photography. I had experience in writing, but only technical writing. Get my drift? If you were hiring someone for one of those jobs, I probably would have been the last one you would have considered because of my lack of experience. In fact since I was an engineer back in the day, people made a lot of assumptions about me, and I remember the creative types making fun of me, saying that I wasn’t creative like them. I started to defend myself, and tell them that they had it all wrong, but then I decided to let them think what they wanted. Inside I knew they were wrong about me. I didn’t need to prove it to them. I knew the truth and that was all that mattered to me.
Now for those of you that need your income, I am not suggesting you can quit your day job and make the same money doing what you love, far from it. I used to make a pretty good wage as an executive consultant. I do not make that much money as a blogger.
So if you need the income, don’t quit your job, at least not yet, any way. What you CAN do is find a way to do what you love, even if you don’t get paid doing it. And if you dearly love it, you won’t mind not getting paid to do it. My first year of blogging I made a big fat zero. The second year I made $100. Yup, blogging is probably the SLOWEST way to make money known to man or woman. But the reality is that I didn’t mind not making money, because I love what I do.
So if for example you love decorating, but have no experience, then offer to help a friend for free. Then ask the friend to write a review of you, or refer you as ‘payment’. Eventually word will get around. I loved photography and spent hours and hours honing my craft. Then a friend asked me to do portraits of her kids. I charged a modest amount. The next thing I knew, I had lots of business that was all word of mouth referrals which are the best kind.
Let’s say you love photographing interiors, but don’t have any clients. Offer to do some work for free. Then you can use those photos as part of your portfolio. Or what if you love to travel? How about offering to run a B&B while the owners take a vacation? Even if they don’t pay you, I bet you’ll get a free place to stay while you fill in. Maybe you love dogs but can’t afford a pet. You might be able to volunteer at an animal shelter.
There is usually a way to do what you love, if you don’t mind not getting paid. Transitioning to a paid gig on a full-time basis is a bit more tricky, but sometimes can be done, just not overnight.
I get paid to write, to photograph, and to design and decorate. All of this, would have seemed impossible 10 years ago. Many opportunities have come my way because one day, I woke up and decided to just do what I loved, even if no one else liked it, and even if nobody paid me. One day, I just took a risk and did it.
So what do YOU want to DO? What is your dream? Let’s see if there is a way for you to do it!!
Thank you Anita for the information and honesty!
Hi Loved your post.i worked at bookbinding from I was 16.i always loved interior design but lacked confidence,when I got married I decided if I could sew books surely I could make curtains.so after doing all my windows I gradually done small furnishings for friends.word of mouth got me more work & more confidence.i went to night school when I was 30plus to study interior design.so anything is possible always follow your dreams….
Thank you for your honesty. I’m still trying to figure out how to do what I love…you have given me confidence to pursue it. Thank you.
Once again you have inspired with your thoughts and creativity. This time with your writing.
Great advice Anita. I just started blogging and love decorating and painting and for me it is my hobby and therapy. I do have a full time job too, but the painting helps me with my job. It’s a win win for me at this point in my life and it’s fun!
Thank you for your post today…..I have several things I would love to do but I always think I’m not good enough, etc. Maybe now I’ll can put a few of my ideas into action.
I think this is great advise and you’re the proof.
I, too, work in a non creative field, finance. I would love to grow my blog and work as a photographer. People are amazed I have a creative side since I deal with numbers all day. I also throw an awesome party so I am interested in party planning as well.
I have been paid for photography jobs but it is not a sustainable income. So I do plan to keep my “day job” while I figure out my next step.
It’s nice to see that you made the transition successfully. I am inspired by you and your blog. This was a helpful post. Thanks!
Wonderful post!!!
I left my day job to be a full time mommy. While doing that I let my creative side run wild. I did a lot of ‘free’ jobs for friends and family to let work spread. I chose colours for new construction, painted murals in homes, chose colour palettes for interiors….
Then is started. I was working at my own pace and making a little money to contribute to the home. Then I switched to mainly canvasses. Bow, I am in my comfort spot. I f=do commissioned pieces, pieces for local shops, gifts…. I dove in and started doing what I luv.
Happy new week.
HUGS, Gee
I love this post, Anita! Thank you for giving so many people a “boost” with your words. It’s important for everyone to pursue their passions and to remember that life is a journey, not a destination.
I am a woman of a certain age…too. And I am giving what I love to do a try. I love homes and fixing them up…and I love to write. I pretend that my blog is my little magazine ….and I am the editor, copywriter, as well as janitor. Ha! I recently had a reader tell me how much she liked my blog because it was so serene. I was flattered…and so glad that she picked up on what I wanted….a place where one can stop by to relax a bit. I have been blogging just over a year…have not made a penny, but I sure would like to know how! Thanks for sharing.
Sheila from Mykentuckyliving.
LOL…this woman of a certain age has a hard time not pushing my ideas onto others for sure. 🙂
One of the things you do best is helping others. You are always willing to share words of wisdom and encouragement with your readers. It is no wonder we all love your blog and you. Thanks for sharing your life’s experiences and advice, even to the more mature ones in your following. Even an old dog might learn a trick or two!
You made My Day! I also am a Woman of a Certain Age and I love hearing that others have the same thoughts and Fears about following their Dreams like Me, and those who have ~ You Inspire Me..Thank-you for Sharing this and Love Your Blog ~ Cindy
Anita,
Thank you, dear friend for your encouraging words!
Many times. . .all one needs to hear is. . .believe in yourself!!!
I haven’t always been priviledged to “follow my heart”
until the past few years. I thank “Mr. Ed” everyday for his
encouragement and faith in me as a woman!!! I am continually blessed.
Change is constant. . .I embrace change!
May all your endeavors lead to success!!!
Fondly,
Pat
You have great words of wisdom my friend!!! And we should all listen! You have earned the right to be an expert on what you do now. It’s amazing! And you are so gracious doing it!
I am a woman of a certain age that is living my dream too! Who knew?
I admire on your courage
I also do what I love. I spend most of my income and energy on it. I work on a farm, run a rescue, and teach kids horseback riding/horse care. I have a lovely group of kids that come to the farm and I am excited to have a small part in their development. I also love to plan events (mostly horse shows), create jewelry (improving, but not outstanding yet), and knit/crochet (but have been to tired lately to finish many projects). There are times I have to step back and remind myself that I truly am doing what I am called to do and what I love the most, because I often get overwhelmed and exhausted. I think everyone should find what they love, and spend at least a little of each day doing it.
Thank you for the lovely advice 🙂
I love this kind of post. It affirms those of us who had a long-term dream that it can come true. I wanted to design and manufacture Swedish furniture and kept my day job to make it happen. How? By taking one baby step each day over many years. I also insisted I was going to do it before I died even when my husband was not supportive and thought I would cause him to pay off my debts. I take great pride and can sleep at night because I’ve done it without a loan and no debt ever so he wouldn’t worry about bailing me out. You have to be strong to forge your own path against the naysayers. I decided to take the risk and do it even if I failed. The surprise is that when it feels like what you are supposed to do in life things just fall in place and fall in your lap unexpectedly — gifts from heaven. If you are just starting on this path, don’t give up. Sometimes baby steps like painting your fingernails to feel good about yourself is enough to keep going. I wish everyone success in finding their bliss.
What a very encouraging post! Thank you. I am also a woman of a certain age with many jobs, moves and house behind me. I am also trying to remember blogging “success” is a long haul process. I am keeping at it. I am trying to be more consistent at blogging with all the writing and photography and making a house a home because I do love doing all these things.
Anita, Thanx so much for your advice. That’s exactly what I’m in the process of doing. It’s later in life for me but it’s never to late right?
An inspiring post which has given me a jolt into getting my priorities right and get back to something I love and have been putting aside for some time…my painting. I also want to hone my photography skills, I have the camera but not the knowledge.
I signed up to shootfly shoot as I think it was you that suggested this. I am learning a lot but still have a long way to go and upset that my home office photos were so very grainy, I am having to re-shoot them all but as I have little natural light in this room I cranked up the ISO but obviously too much.
I love your photography and your blog is so very inspiring. It is nice to hear when someone’s makes their dreams come true. Blogging is about the enjoyment, most definitely not financial gains. It is about the people you meet and the knowledge and images you can share with others.
Thank you for your blog
Lee 🙂
Thank you so much for this post and for your inspiration! If it were just me I would have jumped, leaped actually at transitioning over to doing what I love, but reality sets in and being a single mom, the frightening reality of those pesky bills keeps holding me back from lunging forward. In the past I would question myself, and have always taken the safe and easier route, but life isn’t about existing, it’s about living right? So instead, I am taking baby steps towards my goals of creating my income solely around what I love. These things are what make me happy and drive me even more in that direction. It really is true, live in the moment, do what you love, have faith and the rest will follow.
I love reading about others who found their path and made it work for them, so very inspiring! Thank you again for your encouragement!
Blessings to you,
Tammy
Please see the end of this post for the words that got cut off my first post. Hopefully Anita will just post this second version.
I have loved being a mama, now I am enjoying being a grand mama. I have a wild idea in my head to be a grand mama for hire. Posted my information on sittercity.com which a friend just told me about and like the way it works so far. There are pet sitting and special needs care jobs available there for those of you who are dreaming of doing that. I am a certified nurse aid, brain care rehabilitation tech, QMAP that has worked with children and adults with special needs. I have also created window displays, remodeled and decorated old houses, lived in a log cabin built by my husband & myself with the help of friends, created Simpich Online Secondary and gave EBay the idea to have a dream bid sort of auction like the Simpich Online Auction which I created in 1993 era which is now called Buy it Now. Along the way I have done bookkeeping and computer data entry for lawyers, real estate brokers and other professionals. I have great references from doctors and nurses and other professionals that I have known over the years. I am having fun thinking about what I love to do. I just took care of my Grandkid for six days and that is definitely on my love to do list. I climbed on Mt. Shasta to Thumb Rock which is above timberline and loved the view, spending time with my daughter and glasliding down the mountain. I love gardening, landscaping and photography. Also I love adding pictures to my pinterest board about The Bible in Pictures and hoping someone will think about the bible in a new way. I love being out of debt and having my needs met including health insurance needs for my husband and myself. Loved singing with family last night and singing for the Mt. Princeton Singing Cowboy Ranch years ago. I love the joy playing the gut bucket bass has brought to many people and I loved the email I got that said I was the best professional female gutbucket player that Gutbucket Jerry knew about a few years ago. I love assisting my husband to be the pastor of Hanover Community church. I am looking forward seeing how all the loves of my life come together in my next adventure singing down the trail of life.
Thanks for encouraging me to think about the things I love to do.
Love and prayers for anyone who might actually read this. May you know my Lord and may you follow my Lord Jesus to heaven taking steps “toward living life to the hilt” as Eugene Edwards says in the Message version of the Bible found on Biblegateway.com
Cora Simpich
Love this post as this is what I do for a living now, guide people (high school and college mostly) test drive careers before they spend years and money only to find out it’s not a passion. When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life!
I also love decorating and doing it cheap, so I have a blog about the process of my home on the lake and all the trimmings that go along with it! Yes I do what I teach others to do…follow their bliss.
Coach Karyn
This post could not have been more timely ! I am a workin momma of a three year old. Although I do like what I do as a teacher, I have recently realized that I have more I want to do. I have been struggling with choices to move forward and it’s so refreshing to hear honest advice about success (personal success not just monetary) and happiness. I am just starting to take baby steps to go back to school and
start thinking about how to pursue goals I thought I had put aside. Thank you for this lovely post! The other comments posted here are very encouraging as well. Good luck all!
This is a wonderful post. Thank you. Getting a masters degree and working for many years, it threw me for a loop to quit my career when my son was born. I spent YEARS trying to figure out the next step (and still be able to stay home with my son). Part-time work doing what I used to do, starting various other careers, and just struggling with not feeling like I’m making a difference in the world, even though income was unnecessary as my husband make a very good living. My son is 13 now. As an endurance athlete for the past 20 years, I now work part-time at a running store getting $8.00 an hour. In my spare time, I do everything that I love: crafts, DIY, painting furniture, decorating, cooking, and anything else that I can get my creative hands on. I know longer have that internal struggle inside feeling like I’m supposed to do something “more important”. I’m doing what I love and I don’t care what other people think-something I clearly came to realize in middle age.
Hello sweet and wise Anita….when I got to be a “woman of a certain age”…I realized that I no longer feared “failing”…in my younger years I felt that I had to be the best of the best at what I did and never went out of my “comfort zone” for fear of failing or being “judged” as less than credible…well, after reading a book that truly inspired me, I “threw caution to the wind” . . pursued my dream and went for it…and so glad that I did…I may not be the best of the best, but when I come to the end of my life, I can say, I gave it my all with no regrets!…I loved this post!…and true affirmation of what you do is not measured in dollars, but from the people that you touched and made their lives happier!..You threw that “caution to the wind” and have blown every one away with your talents!!!…
This is a great post, Anita. You have definitely inspired a lot of people here. I am currently living your advice and doing what I love while currently getting paid that big fat $0 🙂 Eventually, I hope to bring in some money, but if that never happens then I’m ok, too.