Getting back to work after a long break is
really not for you? All the degrees, certificates and accolades won at work do
not motivate you enough to undertake the corporate journey once again? But you
are still itching to do some remunerative activity? No problem! Open up your
horizons. Yes you have worked hard and you were rewarded but circumstances are
such that they do not permit you to continue on the same professional path. So
what? Look at your hobbies. They will provide you with what you are looking
for.
There are few lucky ones who really enjoy what
they do despite repetitive nature of work. One of the times it happens is when
you turn your hobby into a profession. My mum has always been good with kids: non-interfering,
patient, youthful in thoughts and friendly approach. Hence she is a teacher since
the past 40 years and counting! Whereas me, I gave up teaching in the first 10
years of pursuing it as a profession. I am just not made for it. I lack the necessary
patience and after a time it starts getting boring for me. So the big
difference here is the hobby! My mum loves teaching and hence she looks at work
with pleasure but I could only do it as it brought in the mullah for me. I am
glad I got out of it as now I am in a much better position professionally.
Here are some tips on
how you can develop your hobby into a profession
1. Advertise
Oh yes! Market your hobby. Let
people around you know that you are willing to replicate what you are good at
for a price. If you love cooking, you can start a tiffin business. If you are
good with scissors and sewing machine, you can become a designer. If you are
good with animals, start pet services. But without letting others know about
your talent, it won’t pay you. Forget the adage, ‘Oh it is just a hobby!’
2. Let your inner circle sample your offer
Let your close friends and family
sample your talent – either by designing a lovely lehenga for your cousin or by
baking a lovely cake for your niece’s birthday or by choreographing your own
little kathak masterpiece at a family function. Showcase your talents and
people will automatically approach you for more.
3. Give it a professional touch
Scale up and go pro. Print business
cards, set up a basic website, mark your presence on social media. Give your
hobby a professional makeover and voilà you feel back in business. The
difference is that you’ll be in a much happier space.
4. Do not be afraid to explore
Well what about someone who doesn’t
have a hobby or was not able to pursue it? No problem. Develop one. You have a
creative bend? Take up a course in graphic designing. You are good with
numbers? Pursue a short-term course in finance. You love dressing others? Learn
hairstyling and dressing up with make-up course and see where that takes you!
But make sure you are good at what you do.
5. Believe in yourself
Yes. I put this last but it is far
from the least. If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you. Yes there
may be struggles. It’s not all cakewalk. But so far as your belief in yourself
is unwavering, success has to kiss your feet. Go girl go!
Snehal Agrawal Sharma
Flexi-Work Options for Women
