I was reading Rework, (which is an awesome book & a very quick read), and I came across a list of eight questions aptly titled Reasons to Quit. They are essentially, just that; reasons to scrap whatever you are doing and do something else. These questions help quickly identify if you care, about what you are doing, and if what you are doing can make money.
There are times that our passions are truly just passions, and not intended to generate revenue. Rather than being frustrated by the lack of income, a shift in perspective can often give us the peace of mind we need to embrace our creativity for what it is, be it profitable or not. Maybe you need a day job. Maybe you can amend your passion in some way so you don’t need a day job. These questions help make it very clear the path upon which you tread.
Take them, print them, and answer them in relation to any situation you have your time committed to:
- Why are you doing this?
- What problem are you solving?
- Is this actually useful?
- Are you adding value?
- Will this change behavior?
- Is there an easier way?
- What could you be doing instead?
- Is it really worth it?
What’s cool about these questions is they work if you are a big company, or are a single person, yielding a photography business. Have a company project or a community initiative? Ask the questions. They even worked for my friend who was chasing after a PhD for all the wrong reasons, (he has since quit his doctoral program for a better business strategy). They focus your perspective, and help you see what you are investing time in, for what it really is.
Once you know what you are really committed to, it’s easy to decide how to proceed… If you decide to proceed at all.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a great post Amber! I’ll definitely have to save this and ask myself these exact questions for this art venture that I’m trying to do.
Haven’t read that one yet, but I’ve seen it. Sounds very similar to one of Seth Godin’s books I just finished, called ‘The Dip.’ I’d highly recommend The Dip to everyone. If you read nothing else this year, read that one. A couple of hours should do it. Must read!
I’m not ready for this much reality yet. I’ll try & take a stab at it next week! lol
Thanks for posting. There are often times where the math (concerning my passion) doesn’t add up, and it leaves me wondering if I am being foolish in my beliefs. But reading these questions and confidence in my answers pretty much assures me that my passion is who I am.
Sounds like a good book.