Comments on: Why You Shouldn’t Turn Your Hobby Into A Job

By: Tina Su - Think Simple Now

Tina Su - Think Simple Now — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:44:07 +0000

Let’s not forget the importance of having hobbies and an environment that nurtures creativity and passion. I plan on taking my hobby into a full time job.. and I look forward to it.

Thanks for the thought T.

By: T

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:11:23 +0000

Walking Tower – an elegant solution worth of Solomon, man.

JRM – that’s what I think.

Music Snob and Mack Tight – I think both of you are right. I agree with Music Snob in that if you are not really, really gung ho about the hobby, making it into a full-time gig could ruin it for you. But I think Mack Tight is right in that if you really do enjoy it all the way you’ll be a lot less stressed. In any case, it has to at least be better than doing something you hate.

But you know what I think a key missing ingredient of the conversation is? Whether or not you control how you do the hobby. Like if you do your hobby in an environment with lots of pressure and responsibility but an external locus of control (meaning outside forces like bosses, clients, nature and other things control your life more than you do) I can see the hobby becoming joyless now. But if you do it in a supportive fun work environment (like those Google employees that insanely their workplace) or better yet with an internal locus of control like as an entrepreneur in charge of the whole shebang (Steve Jobs, Bill Gates), I think the hobby can remain fun.

High responsibility with low control is a big reason why many jobs are miserable, like law for example, where judges, juries and clients all seem to have more control than you do, yet the responsibilies you have can be crushing.

By: Mack Tight

Mack Tight — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:20:01 +0000

If you can make a living off something you enjoy (such as a hobby) your life will be much easier, less stressful and you will be better at it. Mack Tight's last blog post..Does Tony Romo have ?the sickness? over Jessica Simpson?

By: Music Snob

Music Snob — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:53:32 +0000

I totally agree! If you make your hobby your job then it becomes more of something you have to do rather than something you like to do. I say keep ‘em separate unless you are 110% sure that you love your hobby so much that it won’t be a burden even if you did it 24/7.

By: J R M

J R M — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:23:06 +0000

Depressing! I guess I have so many hobbies that turning just 1 of them into a job would mean more time for the other hobbies. And I already drink too much – that’s not a hobby, it’s an augmentative activity to alllll the other hobbies. jrm

J R M’s last blog post..Not sure if it was a good idea or a bad one

By: the walking tower

the walking tower — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:53:57 +0000

if your hobby is drinking, try to open a bar so that you can drink and work/manage at the same time. right? the walking tower's last blog post..VIP in an Online Casino

By: T

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:42:21 +0000

Drinking should never just be a hobby. Ideally it should fall under “side gig.”

By: Michelle Ann

Michelle Ann — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:32:10 +0000

What if your hobby is drinking? Michelle Ann's last blog post..Happy New Year??????