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If you are right now in a situation where you’re thinking about approaching a different career, I’m here to tell you that maybe you don’t have to change your job. Or, at least, try a few extra things before you decide to change your job for good.
When you decide to change your job, you do it because it probably doesn’t provide you enough money or pleasure. And while distancing yourself away from poverty and boredom is ideal, there are good things that you’re going to give up on too.
Do you need money that badly?
What do you do at your current job is that boring?
When money is tight and you need it as soon as possible, I understand that whatever your current job gives you, making more money will always be a priority.
I have a friend who’s a dancing instructor. He’s a great person and he’s really passionate about teaching others how to dance. But he’s always been struggling with finding the right client for his dancing courses. It made him stuck in a place where he’s earning a small amount of money and has to work with people who are not interested in becoming good dancers, but just relaxing through dancing.
He’s been thinking about learning Python (a programming language) so he can earn more money and not think about the financial side of his dancing school. But every time I look at him, I see his passion for dancing and his desire to teach others.
If you are like my friend and you’re really passionate about what you do but you struggle to monetize it, keep struggling.
Step by step, you’ll get closer and closer to what you want.
I believe in you! You should believe in yourself too.
Take advantage of your current skills
My friend has been dancing for 12 years and he’s been teaching others how to dance for 7 years.
That’s mindblowing! So many years and amazing skills developed along the way.
If you make the decision to change your job for good and you stop whatever you’re currently doing, you’re going to give up on your skills.
That’s what I told my friend a few days ago and it’s what I’m telling you.
You’re giving up on something that is part of you. You’re giving up on something that’s part of your identity. That has to be so painful and if you’re doing it for money, I’m sorry that you got to this situation.
But I’m here to help you.
Imagine yourself 3 years from now.
Imagine that you have to present two different versions of yourself.
1st version: Hey! I’m Joe, I’ve been dancing since 2011 and in the past 10 years I’ve been teaching others how to dance.
2nd version: Hey! I’m Joe, in the past 3 years I’ve been learning Python and built a platform to help dancers network.
If you’re really passionate about what you do, you’ll never give up on the things you love doing.
While my friend is thinking about Python, he’s thinking about Python in relation to dancing. He’s thinking about using Python to build something for the dancing community, so he can eventually go back to dancing.
Don’t change your job – instead, look for what’s missing
Whatever you do, if you’re passionate about it, do your best to keep it in your life.
Instead, if you struggle with your current job, I’ll help you reframe money and pleasure with a simple formula.
Money mindset
If what you do right now is not returning the amount of money you desire, it means you have to change something.
- What you do + SOMETHING = where the money is
What is that something that you have to change in your approach so you can make more money?
In my friend’s situation, dancing with a partner is almost always about leading and following. Looking closely at his situation, I suggested to him that maybe he could prepare some workshops for businesses and teach leadership through dancing.
Pleasure mindset
If what you do right now is not returning the amount of pleasure you desire, it means you have to change something.
The formula looks the same.
- What you do + SOMETHING = how you feel
What is that something that you have to change in your approach so you can feel better about what you do?
Luckily, my friend feels great when he’s dancing and teaching dance. But, at the same time, he would get more pleasure out of teaching if would have more people who are interested in becoming better dancers.
With love and optimism,
David