You may have heard the saying, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have” (anyone know where that originated?) – that is, if want a promotion or advancement within your current job, groom yourself to look like a person who’s already there and, theoretically, you’ll be one step closer to convincing others (and yourself, for that matter) that you’re suitable for the desired position.
While I’m not looking for a promotion within my current paying job, I do have dreams of supplementing my income through writing, blogging, and/or some combination of the two… yet to date I haven’t seen so much as a penny resulting from these nebulous dreams. As a matter of fact, I have actually spent hundreds of dollars (literally) on what to this point has proven to be, for the most part, nothing more than a hobby.
A fun, rewarding, social, expensive hobby.
But if writing the way I’m doing it now is a “job” I have, and earning any sort of an income from my writing is a job I want, then it’s time for me to take steps to groom myself for that position.
Time to start dressing for success.
So, in the spirit of this advice (because one of the joys of working from home is that you don’t actually need to physically dress for success!), I marked the first day of my new four-day work week by heading to our local small business centre where I was able to gather reams of information and practical advice on starting a business.
Why on earth would I do that, you ask?
Because when that oh-so-joyous day arrives (and it will) whereby I do make that first penny from my writing, I want to be ready.
- Ready with a business name, bank and PayPal accounts, and knowledge of tax implications and responsibilities.
- Ready with a business plan and a set of goals to help me bring in that next penny, and the next, and the next.
- Ready with a solid foundation that allows me to focus on doing what I love – writing.
Goal-setting, Step One – check.
Good for you on your goal setting. And with your writing skills, you should be making some money with your talents. Hope you can turn your hobby into income. Meanwhile, you’re like 99% of the other artists out there who have to work to support their passion. I’ll keep my ear to the ground, and if I hear of a paying gig, I’ll let you know.
Thank you, Kay – I really appreciate that! I’m VERY thankful to have the job I have – it provides me with a decent income and yet still allows me plenty of time for other things (like writing!) – I just want to make the most of the situation I’m in and do my very best to achieve some of my dreams now that I have this opportunity.