Do what you love...

I'll bet you know the rest. "...and the money will follow."

Last week, so many people quoted this line to me as the reasoning behind their business choices that I simply couldn’t believe it. I was shocked.

I understand that people say this because they want to do something they’re passionate about, and I get that. And sure, there are some things you will love and do that will make you money.

But if there’s no market for the thing you love, how can you possibly make money?

I believe this statement needs to be modified to: “Do what you love (as long as there’s a market for it)… and the money will follow (as long as you work hard and keep your pipeline full)."

Am I wrong?

Comments

[TurtleBlueBird]

Are you wrong?

Hell, no - you're absolutely right!

(There was a story somewhere recently about a man who loved antiques, so he opened an antiques store. But then he couldn't bear to part with any of the antiques he acquired! So he changed his business to a refinishing store - people expect their refinished items back! And he could use the profits to happily buy the antiques he loved.)

Another way to put "Do what you love ..." might be to avoid doing what you hate, but keep an open mind about what else might be a nice money-maker. I n-e-v-e-r would have chosen my bread & butter (for the past 20 years!) client industry - I kind of fell into it and, man, was I lucky I did!

The thing I'm most passionate about ... that I could never make one dime at. (And I've spent years wondering if I could and considering options before I realized that it was okay to have a beloved, non-money-making hobby!)

Excellent, excellent question!

[Lynne]

Sometimes needing money out of the thing you love makes you hate the thing you love. There's nothing wrong with loving your non-money-making hobbies, and focusing your moneymaking on lucrative things that you may only "like" and are good at.

[Charlene]

I think it's a matter of defining 'love'. It's like a real relationship, if you get into it because you 'love' only one aspect of something, it soon turns sour. On the other hand, if you truly love something, you learn to adapt to things that occur as a result of your choices.

I for one did not start illustrating because I wanted to draw children's art. But that's a good deal of what I do now, and I like it, although it is not my first choice subject matter.

[Heather at Third Eye Studio]

I loved this quote! I put it on my facebook profile. I am a realist...I believe in the law of attraction...but your quote also says if you don't take the opportunities that are offered to you, you are just being dumb...I love what I do, but work pretty hard to keep getting jobs and if I stopped that I wouldnt be able to pay my bills...

[Tara Fort]

I love what I do, and am working hard at making money from it. However, when times are slow, I often wonder if I really DO love what I do! I'm still trying to find that balance.

[Yari]

I agree with Charlene, it's like a real relationship. You can't just like one aspect and expect the rest to disappear or magically resolve itself. Any good relationship takes hard work, but if the love is there, then it's worth the rocky ride.

Also agree with Lynne, depending too heavily on making what you love be what brings you all the money you want, can make you hate it after a while.

There's a happy medium out there, the trick is finding it. I'm still working on it myself, but learning a lot in the process.

Great question Ilise!