Doing Something You Love

Over the past 4 years I've learned that if there is something that you are especially passionate about, pursue it.  In today's economy it's become increasingly difficult to find a job, especially one you love.  I want to single out a few practical things that have helped me position myself to turn what I love into a career.

1)  Discover What You Love To Do

For me finding my passion really gave me the insight necessary to realistically position myself to do something I love for a living.  I like reading, researching and fixing computers, phones, video game consoles, paintball guns and staying informed on the industries associated with these things.  It never occurred to me that I could actually make a living doing these things amidst applying for menial jobs here and there.  After this realization I asked myself, what do people who have similar interests do for a living?  Asking questions like this will help you determine how you can use your talents in a employed setting.

2) Plan Your Steps

I hate to make lists and write things down.  However, in order to turn abstract thoughts into tangible surreal opportunities it helps to have an outline you can look at.  It can be cumbersome, but you need a plan.  I started listing out all the information I could find.  To help with getting that information I would bounce ideas off of family, good friends, call companies and talk to HR, or chat with managers and co workers I already knew from other places.  I used LinkedIn a lot to network with various professionals (in addition to Twitter and Google+).  I found LinkedIn to be the most helpful for me.  If you have a LinkedIn and would like to network with me click here.  You can also go to career fairs, internships and community service projects.  These things will challenge you to become a more proficient networker while giving you valuable exposure to your field of interest.

After you have written all these things down refer back to your list periodically to see if anything changes as it will help you derive some clarity from all the research you've done.  Ask lots of questions:  "Do I still care?  Am I completing any tasks in a timely fashion?  What do I need to do next?  Is there a pattern of interest that has appeared?"  Over time this accumulated knowledge will help you to become an expert in your field too.  Take everything into account and keep your resume updated.  Believe me, a specialist who has a solid plan is the candidate hiring employers are going to prefer compared to someone whose efforts look one dimensional...or non existent!

3) Expect Hard Times

It's not easy to pursue something as elusive as a dream.  It's hard to stay motivated if nobody supports your dream.  It's hard to stay grateful about your 9 to 5 when you look left and right and it feels like everyone else is on cloud 9 to 5 doing what they love. On the other hand, maybe hard times look different for you.  You may not even have a 9 to 5.  Maybe you work the graveyard shift.  You may actually not even have a job.  Or it could be that you are a single parent raising kids with no help just doing what you can to get by.  Maybe you work part time somewhere and you just simply hate it.  The reality is,

It is hard

No matter what walk of life you are going through, there are healthy things to do to relieve stress or doubt when you feel discouraged.  I play paintball, hang out with my mentors, play video games, work out, hang out with family and a few good friends, I write, I try to stay away from people or things that indiscriminately discourage me from my life goals, I pray. Point is. There is always a way to manage the stress or doubt that comes your way while trying to navigate your circumstances. Giving up is not an option.  Focus on having a healthy coping mechanism for hard times. You never fully know what life will throw at you, but over time you learn to anticipate hardship and see it as a natural ingredient of maturity. When that breakthrough comes through all the hard work and long suffering will be an after thought.

At The End Of The Day...

If you know some pointers to help people reach their goals please share them, even better, go help those people if you personally know them.  I believe that knowing what my passion is gives me purpose and focus.  Having a written plan helps give me direction and accountability.  Life is hard guys, accepting that allows you not to be paralyzed by it.  Believe me I know.  Since finding what it is I excel at I have been able to help many people.  I have learned not to take for granted the things I know and start making confident strides in serving people with my skill set.  I have learned to be a self starter and motivate myself.

As a result of taking this advice to heart I started my own business as an electronics technician.   I networked with various I.T. professionals and other personnel, I got involved with industries by writing articles and chatting with influential minds in the market place all while striving to acquire certifications relevant to I.T. and software.  Not even three months into expanding my network and being active I receive a job offer from Apple Corporation and GameStop headquarters.  Now, as a newly hired employee with GameStop Corporation, I get to work at headquarters, doing what it is I love for a living with a company I also love.  This is no game.

At the end of the day, stay positive and keep at it.  If you felt this blog helped you, thanks so much for reading and sharing!  If you feel it made you rich feel free to send me a donation lol! :-)

Peace

-JA (Follow me on twitter! @Joe_Andrew)