One school of thought is that we should definitely be doing work that we love—our work should be creative and inspirational and a representation of who we are and what we enjoy. That’s one way of looking at things. Another way is that work is work—it doesn’t necessarily have to be something we love passionately and that is why we have hobbies. The question for many people trying to figure out if they should start a home business is whether or not they should turn their hobby into their job?
The joy of a hobby can sometimes be that it is something we do for the sheer pleasure of it. This is the same reason some people prefer to do volunteer work for causes they are passionate about instead of working in the field. There are those who believe that as soon as you start getting paid for your hobby or turn your passion into a job—it ceases to be a respite and a personal joy and becomes a job and the joy disappears.
However, others maintain that if you are truly doing work that is something you love, it won’t feel like work and it definitely won’t feel like a job. Time will pass quickly and you’ll actually put more energy and effort if you are doing work you love. The thought also being that you will stay interested and won’t burn out if you are working at a hobby you actually enjoy.
I think it would be interesting to hear from people who have successfully started home businesses utilizing their passionate interests and hobbies and how that has gone for you. Is it a pleasure and joy? Or does the hobby lose some its magic when it becomes a business? Can a person even make the transition and treat a hobby like a business?
See Also: Finding Joy in Your Home-Based Business