Work can be play and play can be work. Do what you love and make it pay for you. Earn money and enjoy yourself every day. I hope you’re nodding your head as you’re reading this, because this scenario could be yours!

By Josh Rayan

How about making money from your pastimes, leisure activities and hobbies? How about developing your passion to write and growing it into a successful career? Or cultivating your cooking skills towards becoming a chef? Maybe it’s time to dust out that old camera of yours (maybe get a digicam instead!) and turn photography into your calling.

So what if parents, older folks and the world say that work is about work and not about fun and games? The world is changing, so change with it.

Fair enough that back in the old days, employment was harder to come by. But fast forward to our time and the world is as different as your dad’s bell bottoms compared to your low cut, baggy jeans. The world’s fast realising that employment should be essential and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, most people pursue a career for the wrong reasons – peer pressure, lured by money, prestige and power, misbelieving that one should do it because it’s their duty or blindly following the crowd i.e. “let’s do IT because, there is demand for it!”

I thought Public Relations (PR) was for me. I loved the idea of wearing nice clothes, working in a big office and getting involved in the corporate high-life. But in reality, I was deluding myself as I didn’t really like the job. Finally, after 5 years, I realised my interest lay in writing so I moved to journalism. I’m happier now.

You can actually turn your childhood passion into a successful career. Here are people who have successfully made the shift from pastime to profession, whether fulltime or part-time.

Does the name Michael Dell ring a bell? Dell used to assemble computers in his campus room during his university days. It was a side income gig but soon he was putting PCs together for his college mates. Today, Dell leads a global, world leading computer manufacturing company.

Back in the early 1970’s, two Hewlett-Packard employees tapped their natural liking towards computers to bring the power of computing into common folk’s homes. The result – the first personal computer was born – The Apple, which spawned the generation of PCs we now see. Thank you, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Even everyday people are drawing on their hobbies to work for them. Marina Tan, 29, a leading HR consultant was a leading corporate organisational development and human capital specialist. But she gave it all up to follow her true pastimes – singing part-time and working with kids.

“I reached a crossroads and decided that while a corporate career was nice, it didn’t make me really happy. I felt that at this point, I wanted to do something that I really loved. I could always sing so I went for it”, she explained enthusiastically.

Carrying on, Marina explained how she joined Six2Eight, an acapella group. “I was nervous. So I sang when I could and retained my HR job,” she smiled. “But the more I sang the more I realised that this was for me. Singing opened my eyes to how happy you can be when you enjoy what you do. That’s when I made a big change – leaving my job to focus more on singing and to pursue my other passion – working
with kids,” she laughed heartily.

Ho Tse Ken, 23, had a side interest in modelling. So he started doing runways and print ads to gain some experience, have fun and earn extra cash. Today, Ken is a much sought after talent and is currently Ford’s (Malaysia) Male Model of the year and was voted Bachelor with The Most Fizz at 2004’s Malaysia CLEO Bachelor of the year.

“I just walked into it as a part time thing and it became the start of my modelling career,” said Ken, who’s still surprised at how his career had developed. “But I love it,” he said smiling.

Damelia Ajla, 29, was an account executive in a Malaysian advertising agency. She resigned to follow through on her love for futsal. “I’m passionate about sports, especially futsal and after clocking crazy hours for the ad agency, I had enough. I wanted to throw my rat race career for one that was closer to heart,” she explained. Combining her love for sports and corporate experience, Damelia’s currently putting together a charity futsal tournament. “I want to make a difference through sports, particularly in women’s futsal,” she said earnestly.

Gerald Ramesh, 32, is a flight simulator technical specialist in Malaysia Airlines. When he’s not with his ‘first love’ – planes, Gerald’s busy with his ‘side affair’ – entertainment performances! “My passion would be planes. I love anything to do with flying and with aeronautics,” Gerald explained.

“I got into entertainment shows as I enjoyed playacting and performing. So, I decided to venture into it and it’s
been pretty okay. My life is great, two hobbies – planes and performing and I get to do both,” he beamed.

PROS & CONS
Well, it’s kind of obvious. It makes them happy. Your job becomes something pleasurable and not a pain. These people enjoy what they’re doing. Also, as they’re naturally talented or are passionate about their activities, they often go the extra mile and deliver a good job. Their customers are happy and it becomes a money-making activity.

Still, there’s a reality check, people.

Your talents must be marketable. If you can fling rubber bands over great distances, well congrats, but that’s no money making machine. If people don’t want it, you can’t make it into a career. Risk vs. reward, consider what are the pros and cons of using your skills. It’s great if you’re a soccer player, but you better have a Plan B if you get injured and it’s game over for you. Another factor, remember that one person’s hobby may pay peanuts; the other, loads. Be realistic; go in with your eyes open, so you don’t run out crying complaining about foul play.

And expect people to not understand your alternative career. Especially if you give up a promising, stable, career for some funny business like becoming a clown or becoming a musician. You shouldn’t let this bother you, but be prepared for the fallout.

Now that you have the pros and cons, read on to know how to turn your hobby into a career.

HOW HOBBIES CAN BECOME A CAREER

THE PREREQUISITES:

Get pen and paper and make a list of what you are superb at. Next to each talent, write down each ideas’ commercial value and to whom you can offer the value to. Next, ask your friends and family to identify any of your hidden talents. They may have noticed things about you which you didn’t.

Think American Idol. Try singing contests, acting auditions, modelling stints, dance competitions … anything to discover how you measure up against others and to unearth hidden talents. Go for a course or take lessons to improve your talent. Study journalism if you’re into writing; join a newspaper for a stringing stint. Take vocal or dance lessons to develop your singing range. Find a mentor who can teach you more. There are ways for you to get better. If you don’t cut it, you at least gained the experience and know what areas you should improve on. In our book, that cuts you in as very cool!
Once you’re done with the list, holler out to people to let them know what you have to offer. Put ads in the papers, put up flyers, spread the news via word-of-mouth, do some networking … make some noise about what you’ve got.

Last but not least, be patient. Don’t quit your day job immediately. Do something on the side, during your free time, or on weekends. Once your gig takes off, then you can soar. Be smart for a better start.

HOLLER TO HOBBY HOPEFULS

Remember when you were truly happiest? Well, those fun times don’t have to stop just because you’re older and are working now. We work to live, not live to work. Fun can be your factor to start the day, enjoyment can be your reward and the whole package can earn you money. With that thought, you may want to consider, turning your hobby passion into your career. Good luck, we’ll be cheering you on!