Is it Still Possible To Make Money Doing What You Love?

35 replies
I often cringe when I hear people who want to make money on or off-line ask this million dollar question " what's the best opportunities to make money with? That's the wrong question in my opinion. The question should be "what do I like to do?"

Just looking for the so-called best money making opportunity is part of the problem many people have - as they bounce from one money making opportunity to the other.

Asking the wrong questions is what turns many unsuspecting people into money making opportunity junkies. They continue looking for the so-called "best money making opportunity" month after month or even year after year.

To me the difference between a money maker and a money making opportunity junkie is this. One has found a way to make money doing what they love. And the other waste time and money looking for the perfect way to make money. That's a huge difference many people stumble over.

I've often heard this mantra from the lips of Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and even Steve Jobs. "The secret of my success is I love what I do." Most people attribute their success to intelligence, talent and genius. But they'd be the first to admit many people in their industry is smarter and more talented than they are. But their secret is they love what they do so much they simply out-work and out produce the competition.

But unfortunately most get money quick books and programs that come across my desk seldom emphasize this point. Raise your hand if the last money making program you purchased mentioned doing what you love as a secret of success? Probably not.

Now if you like selling buggy whips or 8 track tape players you may have a problem. But if you can combine what you love doing with a current market demand you have the best of both worlds.

My question are you doing what you love doing? In other words if you could afford to do it for free would you still be doing it? That's the million dollar question. Agree or disagree I welcome your thoughts.
#love #make #money
  • Profile picture of the author vbond
    The market doesn't care if you are doing what you love. The market needs solutions to problems/issues/pains/concerns, etc. In a way it's an unselfish act as you are looking to solve somebody else's problem(s).
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    • Profile picture of the author Mark Pescetti
      Originally Posted by vbond View Post

      The market doesn't care if you are doing what you love. The market needs solutions to problems/issues/pains/concerns, etc. In a way it's an unselfish act as you are looking to solve somebody else's problem(s).
      Bullsh!t... (sorry, I'm sure you're an awesome person, but thinking like this really triggers me!)

      Passion makes all the difference in the world.

      I'd rather be helped by someone who loves what they do, even if it's just a passionate barista at Peets Coffee... than a miserable, but talented person.

      Unfortunately, most people don't think they have the option of doing what they love...

      ...or even have a clue about what that would be!

      That being said..

      Do you really believe Steve Jobs would have made such an indelible impact - if creating technological innovations wasn't his life purpose and passion?

      NO!!!

      Doing what you love make all the difference in the world!

      Mark Pescetti
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    Most probably, but I think the best way to make money is to do or to sell what is already selling, If you love what you do but the market ignore it ends up nothing.
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    • Profile picture of the author iamcarlie
      Originally Posted by jushuaburnham View Post

      Most probably, but I think the best way to make money is to do or to sell what is already selling, If you love what you do but the market ignore it ends up nothing.
      I totally agree with this. Doing what you love may not be applicable in the situation you are into. It still depends on the circumstances. What we need to learn is to love what we do. Success will follow.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Tikos
    its possible, as long as its practical. not every love is practical as a business, not every business is something you love. its all about finding the perfect match
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  • Profile picture of the author HaydenR
    Well it depends on many factors.. if your lucky enough to love something that is also easily marketable then yeah definitely.. but if your passion is reading philosophy or sleeping then I'm afraid you aren't going to earn much..
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  • Profile picture of the author jtunkelo
    It's a combination of appeals really:

    - what you personally like to do and put your attention on

    - what the given market really wants and is ready to put their money on

    - what you seriously like to GIVE to other people, or what people seek you out for

    The last point tends to get ignored, and yet it tends to be where the traction really happens...
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  • Profile picture of the author raitman
    How does one isolate what they REALLY love to do and then turn a hobby into a profession. "The labor of love"

    The more the passion you have, the more motivated you will be to success. Success translates into making money if creative and marketed accordingly.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lee M
      Originally Posted by raitman View Post

      How does one isolate what they REALLY love to do and then turn a hobby into a profession. "The labor of love"
      I think Mark Cuban on his BlogMaverick blog ... just posted something regarding this topic. Basically, he is saying ... don't follow your passions ... instead ask yourself where do you spend your time? THAT is your passion.

      Very insightful I think!
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  • Profile picture of the author haroldsmith
    totally agree with you Tony Tikos
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  • Profile picture of the author lotusdragon
    ❧ If you are doing what you love, your natural niche, you have the time and energy to keep at it and inspire others. You are the one controlling what you do and what goes out on the web. You can contribute something worthwhile to the world.You have something unique to attract people to. You can build a brand based around you that people love, trust and respect and so give loyalty to because they can read your sincerity. You can position yourself on forums you actually have an interest in and attract like minded visitors you can have a good rapor with which gives an interactive evolving dynamic to a blog and added interest for readers.

    If you just want to run an ugly bargain basement eshop on auto, controlled by a manipulated market and you do not care about it, it will just become part of the same ol' same ol' cr*p that's out there cluttering the web, no loyalty beyond whether you are the cheapest supplier with the easiest site to use. It used to be called selling out as you are being controlled by the money and the market manipulators. Do we really need another one of these.
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    Loving making an abundant living whilst helping make a difference in our wonderful world
    Considering your customer as friend or family engenders trust and loyalty
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Sure, I train people how to become competent, respected salespeople.

    I've learned how to do it through info products, and I'm expanding on that market.

    My background originally was in operations/factory management...I managed a lot of people when I was in my 20s...and I hated it.

    The way to do what you love and make good money is:

    a) find a niche to serve with your expertise

    b) build a personal brand around that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thrazgard
    You can make money doing something you love, but you can also make nothing. I will never make any money doing what I love the most in this world, and I accept that.

    That's why I am building my financial freedom online. It will allow me to pursue my love without worrying about debt or bills. Or worse, being locked down in a job 40-60 hours every week, working on achieving someone else's goals.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Roarke
    Here is another strategy -

    Oftentimes people end up loving something they don't do and then doing something they don't love. You'll hear the complaint "I wish I could do something I love."

    Here is what I have always preferred - Love what I do.
    If I am doing it. I love it. In that order.

    Another way of putting this: If I choose to do it, I choose to love doing it.

    Simultaneously, I also work on more and more projects and ambitions that are closer to other things I love doing.

    This has worked out great for me (Especially in the tough times. And especially in the good times too).

    Everything I do and have in my life, I love (although some people might look at it and think I'm crazy). And it looks like it's getting better all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author getty
    To have earnt the proper qualifications and requirements and become employable in every scale of the targeted industry, it's possible to do what you've longed to do and make a decent amount of money. Experience shows credibility too, and some who might have not come from an educational institution but have had practical experience could compete against the particular.

    The question: would I do what I love doing for free is quite rhetorical, I love doing the particular and any element that I get in return will be the payment, in this case it would be at the least: satisfaction. The conclusion is that nothing is free and every intentions are done for some selfish purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author thereikid
    I believe its the only way to live. I don't care what people say if you don't like doing something you will never do it to your highest and best potential. Often people don't know what they they love so they think you have to do things a certain way. I never do anything I don't want to do no matter what and that has opened many doors for me and now I love everything and everybody life is grand, fun, simple and easy many people think life should be a struggle and you should work hard but really if you love something you will be "working" all the time. I am at the point were I have to force myself to go to sleep and I love sleep!
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    • Profile picture of the author lotusdragon
      Originally Posted by thereikid View Post

      I believe its the only way to live. I don't care what people say if you don't like doing something you will never do it to your highest and best potential. if you love something you will be "working" all the time.
      your whole post expresses the wisdom well
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      Loving making an abundant living whilst helping make a difference in our wonderful world
      Considering your customer as friend or family engenders trust and loyalty
      If you feel the same and are into such as Green Lifestyles, Alternative Health and Self Dev
      or exploration of more client centred business models it would be lovely to connect
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    Yes. I won't give up. I won't give up until my passions allow me to have the option of retiring early if I want.
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  • Profile picture of the author marialeiter
    When what you are doing makes you earn good, I believe you will eventually love it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Usmile
    In answer to your question. Yes, fortunately I am doing what I love and I'm very thankful about it. I am a big fan of social media and I'm very glad to land in this field.
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  • Profile picture of the author CBusiness
    Definitely agree and i tell people all the time.. Do what you love , find a way to make money with that passion.

    Society sucks the dreams / passion out of us at a young age by telling youth what we can't do.. .and should do....

    My magic way of tapping people's true passion is simple.. ask them 'what did you want to do as a kid?'

    There lies your truest passion, untainted imo
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  • Profile picture of the author gentryliving
    Of course it is possible! It is easy for you to do what you want because you don't have to think what and where to start to succeed.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by gentryliving View Post

      Of course it is possible! It is easy for you to do what you want because you don't have to think what and where to start to succeed.
      It's easy for you to do what you want, but is easy to do it and make money. Most people are making money doing what they don't particularly like (a job or worse yet a government job).
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  • Profile picture of the author Henri Lind
    Internet marketing is what i love to do. Im happy!
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  • Profile picture of the author hireava
    I believe that it is still possible to make money with doing what you love. It's like your having fun while working. You're not even stressed out about making money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stoney
    My first question would be, "Why do you love it?" If you love it because it is lucrative, you're in a vicious cycle. If you love it because it's what you were made to do, you may be on to something. I love to teach. I love to make people laugh. I decided to try my hand at comedy workshops. I've had mild success, but I'm considering doing them for free because I love it. If I end up getting paid for it, that would be even better.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Stoney View Post

      My first question would be, "Why do you love it?" If you love it because it is lucrative, you're in a vicious cycle. If you love it because it's what you were made to do, you may be on to something. I love to teach. I love to make people laugh. I decided to try my hand at comedy workshops. I've had mild success, but I'm considering doing them for free because I love it. If I end up getting paid for it, that would be even better.
      Getting paid to make people laugh. That has to be one of the most rewarding careers and ironically, probably the toughest too.

      It's the kind of activity you have to enjoy to do. Getting up in front of a crowd of strangers that's coldly staring at you and mentally saying, "O.K make me laugh". Woh, talking about pressure.
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonChoi
    Interesting insights!

    I've come across evidence suggesting that people who seek after riches end up depressed, whereas those who are happier will make more money. See it for yourself:

    "There is increasing evidence, however, that the pursuit of affluence has damaging psychological effects, including severe depression and anxiety. In a series of case studies dating to 1993, Ryan and Kasser examined the effects of pursuing money and material goods. Focusing excessively on obtaining wealth was found to create a lower sense of well-being and self-esteem. Everyone who sought affluence as a goal had a lower score for happiness.

    Source: Do happier people make more money? - DailyFinance
    And I do believe Albert Schweitzer was right on when he said:

    "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."
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  • Profile picture of the author leorocking25
    I think it's not possible to make money to doing what you love but it's possible try to love what you doing for make money.
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  • Profile picture of the author emrom
    Come on, Can I really make money from "what I like to do".
    I like to sleep in....can't
    I like to eat....can't and keep this figure!
    I love to visit my family....can't.
    I love to have SEX with my husband.....and only him!!!!

    So when I can make money from that....then you are right....Making money from
    doing what you love....is the best.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by emrom View Post

      Come on, Can I really make money from "what I like to do".
      I like to sleep in....can't
      I like to eat....can't and keep this figure!
      I love to visit my family....can't.
      I love to have SEX with my husband.....and only him!!!!

      So when I can make money from that....then you are right....Making money from
      doing what you love....is the best.
      Here's Your answer based on what you just gave me ...

      I like to sleep in....can't:
      So, create a book or make a video on how to sleep peacefully, for the millions who can't each night or how to get along on less sleep.

      I like to eat....can't and keep this figure!
      So, create a healthy recipe or cookbook.

      I love to visit my family....can't.
      So, create a book or video on how to get along or grow closer with family members for the millions of people who live in dysfunctional families.

      I love to have SEX with my husband.....and only him!!!!
      Create a book or video on how to turn your husband on for the millions of women who can't.

      Just a thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author kenyon99
    In my opinion it's not a matter of can you, but rather that's the only way to do it.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by kenyon99 View Post

      In my opinion it's not a matter of can you, but rather that's the only way to do it.
      Not sure if the only way to make money is love what you're doing. I made money almost half my life at jobs I didn't particularly like. That's probably most people's story.

      It's still takes a special mindset to think you should make money loving what you do.

      Most people still have the idea you have to work hard at something you don't particularly love then you get to have the weekends, 30 day vacations and retirement to enjoy yourself. Sad but true.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    I guess people jump from one opportunity to the other because they have no passion in whatever they are doing. What they want is money.

    Apparently all successful people love what they do. And if one wants success, then it is wise to model successful individuals.
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by Mary Wilhite View Post

      I guess people jump from one opportunity to the other because they have no passion in whatever they are doing. What they want is money.

      Apparently all successful people love what they do. And if one wants success, then it is wise to model successful individuals.
      It takes most people a little time to find their niche. Jumping from one opportunity to the next is how most of us find our niche. The problem happens when people are doing it because they lack commitment.
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