Okay, so, this is what I want you to understand. You have a dream, you have a hobby, you’re thinking about turning it into a skill level that is professional.
Ask yourself a few questions, one that a mentor posed to me, first.
“Do you create for others or for yourself?”
This question blindsided me one day as we were talking. Do you write to sell a book people want to read? Or is it a journey of self-discovery? There’s not a wrong answer to this, but you will pursue your goals in very different ways. If you’re writing to publish a good book people will like, you will do lots of research, and your end result will be quite different. If you’re just improving your writing, that’s fine, too. If you create because you are compelled, because there is something in you, a fountain that flows at times.
“Does it have to be enjoyable?” No one wants a job they’ll hate. Do you want to work with your hobby to hone your craft to a professional level? Or do you want to keep it as a stress relief, as a kind of balancing tool. If you want to push yourself to the limit, and see what you are capable of, that’s one thing. If you just want to create for fun, to play with color, words, or melodies, that’s fine, too.
There’s one thing you need to keep in mind. I read this in a book, and I can’t remember where or I would credit the author. There are desires and goals. Goals are something you can achieve yourself. “I want to run 2 miles one day” or “I want to write a novel,” In most cases goals are achievable. However, if you want your book to be a best seller, or your “goal” depends on anyone else, then it’s a desire. There are healthy, godly desires, but some of them never reach fruition. You have to focus on what you can do. Make goals, try to achieve them.
Don’t be afraid of journeys. Water rarely flows in a straight path in nature for long. When I was failing my chemistry classes, hated my subject, I remember sitting in my faculty advisor’s office. He said something along the lines of,”You don’t really seem to like chemistry that much, and you’re not good at it,” and this peace washed over me like I hadn’t felt in a long time. I had taken a wrong turn, and now it was time to correct. I changed my major twice that semester, but finished an English degree. Do I regret the “wasted” time? No! I met so many great people, and have an appreciation for and understanding of science. I’m able to form arguments, make connections, and I think it’s made me a better thinker.
To finish this rather brief, and somewhat rambling article. Tonight my mentor told me something.
“Create a filter professionally,” and it echoes something that the bible teaches, “guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life,” Proverbs 4:23
Be careful what you put into your mind, what you allow to influence you. Music, media, books, radio, it will alter who you are. Choose the good, refuse the bad. You will be surprised how it will change your life.
Thank you for reading.