Doing What You "Love" to Do for a Living? Working Out of the Home

I believe that a very small percentage of people do what they *love* for a job. Although I know 2 people who have done total career changes in their 40's and are just about the happiest people I know!
I think more important is the environment you work in, appreciation for what you do, flexibility for family needs, etc. Chances are, if you have a job with those elements--you'll *love* it!

Here is my perspective.

I have a good job, it is somewhat interesting. I have a great boss. It is close to home. I can work from home when needed. I get paid a pretty decent salary and can take care of my family.

Do I wish I was doing something else? Yes, in some ways. At the moment though, my top priority is taking care of the 2 kids still living at home. Changing careers at this point would mean sacrificing time and income....2 things I just think would not be in our best interest. If everything goes well, in 5 years I can start re-imagining what I want to do with my life.

So right now, I count my blessing that I wake every day and can reasonably look forward to my day. I am thankful that I can take of my kids and provide for them as a single mom and still have time to spend with them. I look forward to do the day when I can I actually consider doing something more rewarding, but for now taking care of my family is reward enough.

I spent my 20s moving up the corporate ladder in public relations, only to discover what I really wanted more was a lateral job move into a related group -- public relations writing, instead of management. I'm much happier and it gave me the opportunity to go out on my own as a freelance public relations writer.

So, instead of a radical job change, is there a subset of your profession that might appeal to you more? Think back to what prompted you to get a master's degree in your specialty in the first place. I had a journalism degree and a deep love of writing that I wasn't getting to use as much in a management position, so getting back to that initial motivation was key for me.

Good luck!

There is an old saying, "If you can find something you like to do and can make a living at it, you'll never work a day in your life."

I couldn't do that so I did the next best thing . . . I worked in a well paying job and saved vigorously so when I could retire I could do what I like to do . . . Travel and chase my wife . . .

I am now retired and love investing in the stock market and finding cruises my wife and I want to go on.

Things to consider when looking for a job:
How much do they pay? (AND is it commissions or a salary or both?)
When do they work? (I don't like working weekends so I wouldn't work for retail stores that are open on the weekends.)
Do they work as a team or will you be judged on what you alone do?

I like cooking, but I have watched some cooks/chefs at work and that's not fun.
I like gardening, but I don't like it enough to do it 12 hours a day 6 days a week.

I could tell you more, but you get the idea. Good luck to you and yours.

What about teaching? With a Masters in Science you could probably find a job teaching middle/high school science as it is a critical shortage area in some states. The pay isn't too bad considering benefits/retirement is usually pretty good. You also have the summers free for your kids. There may be some classes you'd have to take but many school districts are willing to pay you to take the classes while you teach.(not sure how it is in MO) It's a hard job but rewarding, I was a former teacher and LOVED it!

You could start thinking about the different reasons you chose your major/program. What aspects of the field of study excited you or drew you to it. Can you talk to some of your former professors about the aspects you enjoy? Maybe they could point you to someone they know who works in the areas you enjoyed the most. Keep networking. The more you get to know people in your field, the more you'll hear about other positions.

I used to work outside of the home, we lost a child to SIDS and then my husband and I decided when our next child was born it would be better for both of us (for sanity) if I stayed home. Although we couldn't afford it. So I started in home daycare. I started watching my friend's child. I used to work with her, so I kept in contact with what was going on with work too. That worked til she quit work. I was lucky enough to find someone from church then, until she had another child and quit work... or I'd have some until they would be old enough for school... I had children in and out of the house for 12 years that way, and another one of my own. I even had some come back during summer break that I had previously or referrals but I still had periods of time that I had no children to watch and those times were very tight on the wallet for us.
Then something else fell into my lap and it has turned out to be something I love. I went to a spa at a friends house. We got pampered and spoiled and my daughter decided she wanted to do that to... so I said I would do it with her. She was only 18 at the time, and she didn't do it very long, but me, I am still doing it. It's great to spend a little time whenever I choose to go hang out with some ladies and have a spa. I teach them how to take care of their skin, show them all the latest spa products and let them try them out in the privacy of their own home. It is a fun couple hours for everyone and when I leave they are refreshed and I am too and we've all made new friends and I've even made a little money.
It's a great job and I make my own hours and the products sell themselves and everything is spa quality and amazing. The benefits are too, and its a Tupperware company, so you know its good.

And even if you don't want to spa people, you can just do the family and friends discounts and still make a little money just sharing with family and friends and yourself, no effort, and still look younger and feel great, and be at home with your kids and supplement your income. How great is that?

Just think about what kinds of things you like to do, do you like being home with your kids? Do you want to do in home daycare during the day and be with women in the evenings the way I do? Give me a call or an email.
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L. D

I started a job I love at the beginning of this year. When I applied for it I was simply trying to get out of a job that I hated. Turns out this is the best move I ever made. I have a business background but have never actually worked in this industry before, so it was a total surprise that I ended up loving it. I hope you find (or accidently fall into) your groove too.

I accidently fell into my job.

I have been a SAHM and since my daughter (16) started school I have been a substitute teacher at her school occasionally. I ONLY sub at the school she attended and Ihave great relationships with parents, teachers and staff. It is still a very rewarding experience for me.

My hubby was in outside sales in the raw materials industry. About 6 yrs ago, when he was selling a specific item people asked him about other products and he would set up a customer talking to a vendor for more specific things. For the last 2 years, we have been doing this together full time totally unexpectedly but well worthwhile. I run all the accounting and things a CFO would do, he does all the selling, etc. Last year our sales hit $3 Million. Who would have thought!!

This is our "baby" now and we involve our 16 yr old in the business as well.

I think less about what I love to do and more about what kind of people I want to work with. I like you have a very specific skill set and at this point don't want to take away from my family/finances to pursue something else. Instead, I've formulated the corporate culture I need to be happy.

I am not thrilled doing what I am doing switched jobs to have work/family balance...but I work no more than 40 hours and when I leave the office at 4 p.m. I am done!!!! No emails or work to do when I get home....