Love Story
I want to make money doing what I'm passionate about.
Q: I've heard people say,
"Do what you love." That can be discouraging if you
don't know what you'd love to do. How does someone like me
proceed?
A: We understand there's more
to the choices people make than doing what they love. In fact, a
recent study by Roper Starch Worldwide found that 29 percent of
American adults choose work that pays well even if they hate the
work. Personally, we learned from interviewing hundreds of people
while writing Finding Your Perfect Work (Tarcher/Putnam)
that many don't choose a business based on work they love.
We've determined four productive "paths" people take:
building on a passion; following a sense of mission, which often
grows out of a desire to right a wrong; drawing on a talent; and
capitalizing on an asset, such as equipment or contacts.
We strongly advise against doing something you dislike. While
some may be able to sustain a job they dislike due to the structure
an employer provides, entrepreneurs lacking passion typically lack
motivation. Also, those who force themselves to do something
chronically unrewarding may become ill. Thus, you should score your
business idea at least 7 on a "likability" scale from 1
to 10.
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If you still can't think of potential businesses, perhaps
you haven't dug deep enough. We love the story of a woman in
Los Angeles who likes watching TV and going to parties. She
stitched together a business matching celebrities with charitable
events and causes. Now she watches TV to see who's
"in" and then attends the parties she's helped line
up celebrities for. You, too, may find a combination of things you
like, if not love, and turn it into a profitable livelihood.
Small-business experts Paul and Sarah Edwards' latest
book is Home-Based Business for Dummies (IDG Books
Worldwide), co-authored with Peter Economy. If you have a question
regarding a start-up business issue, contact them at www.paulandsarah.com or send it in care of
Entrepreneur