Turning Your Hobby Into a Career

A hobby is an activity that a person enjoys and pursues outside of his or her career for leisure time. It may be something that is relaxing such as watching movies or something that involves learning like taking a cooking class. It can also be an activity that earns money such as raising pets, painting or selling a craft item at a market. There are many ways that people turn their hobbies into careers, but this is a serious decision that should be considered carefully before making the leap. In addition, the IRS has rules about when a hobby becomes a business, and it is important to assess finances before making the switch.

Hobbies can be casual where they are infrequent or short-lived or project-based where a task is completed for a set period of time. Regardless of the level of commitment, it is important to choose a hobby that suits one’s personality characteristics and strengths. Several personality assessments exist that can help with this, including the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.

Whether it is crocheting a baby sweater for a friend’s new baby, skiing down the slopes or practicing pirouettes in ballet, having a hobby provides an outlet for stress and a way to feel good about yourself. Hobbies provide the opportunity to meet other people with similar interests and can even lead to a new career or job.

Pursuing a hobby that makes you happy can improve your work performance, according to licensed professional counselor Rebecca Weiler. She says that trying to find meaningful hobbies is one of the primary reasons her clients seek counseling.