How To Pursue Your Passion When You Work A 9-5

I once worked in a job that I absolutely hated. Every day when my alarm would go off, I would literally have to force myself to get out of bed. I would trudge in to work each morning and sit at my desk feeling completely miserable and unfulfilled. I knew that I was unhappy, and I knew that I wanted to work in a more creative field, but I had no idea how to get there. I decided that I needed a way out, and fast! Each evening when I would get home from work, I started researching different creative careers and how to get into them. There was so much information, that I would end up feeling confused and overwhelmed. If this is you, don’t worry you can make it out! Here are some tips that helped me to transition out of a job and into the career that I love.

Consider What You Do In Your Spare Time

What do you do when you’re not working? Maybe you love to cook, or really enjoy writing. Whatever it is, if you’re passionate about it, why not work towards doing it as a career? Start by making a detailed plan. Consider things like your target audience, what platform you would work on and how you would market yourself.

Connect With People

Another great way to get a feel of what you want to do is by going to events related to your field of interest. This should give you an opportunity to connect with like-minded people who can give you loads of tips and advice on how to get into your chosen field.

Focus On Passion, Not Money

We all need money to survive, however when you’re starting your own business, it shouldn’t be your only motivation. Like all things in life, starting a business can be hard, and when things get real, you’ll need something that can motivate and push you to move ahead. A great thing to do before starting anything is to write down a list positive reasons that you want to start your business. If you’re ever in a situation where you’re starting to lose faith in your business, this can serve as a reminder of your why.

Create A Plan

“A dream without a plan is just a wish” – Katherine Paterson

The quote above honestly reflects exactly what happens when you want to start a business but have no solid plan. A plan is one of the most important aspects of your business, and without it, you may find yourself confused and overwhelmed. Contrary to what you may think, your business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple one or two-page document is a great place to start. A good plan should include at the minimum, information about your vision, objectives, expenses plan, business strategy and actionable goals that you can work towards.

Put In The Work

Yes, you’re tired when you get in from work, and all you want to do is binge watch Netflix. It would probably be easier to give in to after work exhaustion, but taking action is what will help you bring your goals to fruition.

Working a 9-5 gives a sense of structure that is no longer there when you work for yourself, so it’s good practice to learn how to keep working even when things aren’t convenient. Set time aside each day, even if it’s just an hour, to work towards your goals. Be committed to what you want, and always be honest with yourself about what you want to achieve.

How do you manage entrepreneurship while working a 9-5? Comment below!