Monday, September 26, 2011

Passion is so in fashion

"Do what you love and the money will follow," said by someone(s) successful.

When you're unemployed, it's hard to figure out which way to turn. I found myself going in several directions...job apps, book writing, social media consulting. It's the "I'll throw everything against the wall to see what sticks" approach. I know from speaking with my fellow ex-employed that I'm not alone. One friend (I'll call him "D") was applying to jobs, created a plan for a new business and pitched local businesses to get consultant gigs. We'd commiserate about our collective exhaustion but figured there wasn't any other way.

How about instead of putting a lot of effort into many areas you focus on one: what you love.

I've been reading Gary Vaynerchuk's book "Crush It!" where he stresses focusing on what you're most passionate about. If you love what you're doing, it will come through...people will be turned on, word will spread, business will grow. If you love bread, create a blog, do some podcasts, become an authority and the result could be opening your own eshop or writing books or having your own internet show. However it results, you've made yourself the bread guru. (And it doesn't have to be bread...it could be robots, shoes, funemployment or wine (like Gary)).

Following your passion means being yourself, not what everyone wants you to be. I think this is something that I've struggled with. "D" struggled with it too. If you're considered successful in one vein and then it's ripped away from you, do you say what everyone wants to hear? Do you dare to embrace your passion if it wasn't what you were doing before layoff? People wanted to hear that my life was over after my layoff. Well, I wrote an entire book challenging that notion. Some people weren't happy about either development (writing and funemployment). D faced criticism when speaking about his business idea. Eventually, neither of us could be inauthentic about our experiences (believe me, it took some time to get there!)

If you're applying to jobs and getting frustrated, think about what you love to do. Figure out a way to share it with your unique personality. Try blogging, podcasting, vlogging. The worst that can happen is no one follows you. The best thing that can happen is that it takes off and you end up with a whole new career.

Dedicated readers: Get 15% off my eBook "FUNemployed: Finding the Upside in the Downturn" with coupon code GC49Y at Smashwords through 9/30. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/57522

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