Money is considered to be one of the most crucial aspects of our daily lives, but often we share a love-hate relationship with it. It is common to find people struggling to make ends meet, trying to earn enough to fulfil their basic necessities, while at the same time dream of achieving their passion and desired career. However, the harsh truth is that passions and hobbies need stable finances to thrive. Therefore, instead of loving your passion before earning a living, our ideology could reverse the order by making money before loving it.
In this article, we will explore the concept of making money before following your passion, the pros and cons of this approach, and how to implement it to achieve financial stability in life.
Pros of Making Money Before Loving What You Do:
Start with a budget
Creating a budget is the first step to financial stability. Without one, it’s easy to lose track of your spending and end up in debt. Start by tracking your expenses for a month and categorizing them into essentials (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.) and non-essentials (dining out, entertainment, etc.). Then, determine how much you spend on each category and adjust accordingly. Set realistic goals and stick to them.
Opportunity to Explore Various Options:
When you make money before you love something, it allows you to explore various career options and industries you may not have considered before. By working in different environments and learning new skills, you may come across a position or role that resonates more with your interests and passion, which you can then pursue wholeheartedly, thanks to your stable financial status.
Financial Independence is Liberating:
Having a stable income before pursuing your passion will help you to achieve financial independence. Financial independence provides freedom from debt, responsibility to family and friend. Not needing to depend on someone else’s finances will allow you to move towards your new career or passion with less fear, anxiety or decreased stress.
Earn additional income
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, consider finding ways to earn additional income. This could be anything from picking up a side job or freelance work to renting out a spare room on Airbnb. Be creative and think outside the box. Every bit helps.
Start Unrelated Business Ventures:
By making money before loving what you do, you can build up a savings kitty required to start any business. You can make use of the savings to start an unrelated business that is closer to your passion and drive it forward. Knowing that you have a safety net can give you the confidence to start your own business and apply all your acquired skills and knowledge the right way.
Building a Strong CV:
Working various positions can help build a strong curriculum vitae, making it easier for you to be selected for your dream job in the future. As the saying goes, “the more you work, the easier it becomes to work in a field that you love” the same principle applies here where you can build your expertise in various areas that will help you build a stronger and better portfolio.
Invest wisely
One of the most effective ways to secure your financial future is through investing. Whether it’s in stocks, real estate, or a retirement fund, investing your money can pay big dividends down the line. Just make sure to do your research and seek advice from financial professionals before diving in.
Cons of Making Money Before Loving What You Do:
Job Satisfaction:
One of the major disadvantages of making money before loving what you do is the potential dissatisfaction of one’s job. Often, being in a job that pays well may not necessarily align with your innate interests and skills. This could lead to feelings of stagnation, boredom at work, leaving you feeling stuck in your position with no obvious way to pivot towards your desired career.
Regrettable Milestones:
It is not fun to regret milestones as a result of taking the detour option. Working in a financially stable but unfulfilling job could lead to one missing out on certain milestones like being around loved ones, weddings, important celebrations, personal milestones.
Challenging to Make the Switch:
Transitioning from a well-paying and stable job to a job/career you love can be challenging. Not only do you have to manage the change in your finances, but you may have to start from scratch, in terms of re-learning and re-acquiring new skills.
Losing motivation:
When the novelty of doing something for money wear off, you may start to feel disillusioned and demotivated, leaving you feeling empty and unfulfilled in the job. This disappearance of initial motivation can lead you to fall further into a rut, possibly leading to depression.
Tips for Achieving Financial Stability:
1. Manage your budget wisely, restricting unnecessary expenses and exploring new ways to save money.
2. Start learning and acquiring new skills that are in demand in the present job market and geared towards your potential field of work.
3. Start with small businesses that could help you earn extra cash. Focusing on selling products and services that align with your interests can provide additional revenue streams.
4. Utilize the networking potentials of social media and connect with knowledgeable people in your desired field, build connections that can be beneficial in the long run.
5. Invest in your long-term goals, developing a plan and executing it effectively.
6. Always prepare for contingencies by creating an emergency fund that can act as a safety net when needed.
Conclusion:
Making money before you love what you do is an approach that comes with its set of pros and cons. In the end, the decision to take this path or not depends on the individual and their unique circumstances. There is no one-stop solution to achieving financial stability; however, following the tips outlined above can hopefully steer you in the right direction. Here’s hoping that whatever path we choose brings in happiness, contentment, and financial security in the end.