Finding Your Niche

I have always remembered the words of famous actors and actresses who have said over the years "This isn't work. This is something I enjoy doing just for fun. It's a bonus that I get paid for doing it". Some people are very fortunate to find a line of work that is truly a personal passion and something they would do as a hobby anyway.

I know that I have struggled over the years trying to find something that I would really like to do while making a decent living at the same time. I don't really want to make a career out of anything because I may change my mind in the future. I have this bad habit of wanting to learn new things all the time and I have this tendency to get bored if I am not challenged. Now don't get me wrong. I do enjoy working and I have a comfortable job. The problem is that it is a job and not my passion in life. There are moments when I feel good about the work I have done and there are moments of excitement when starting a new project. It's not a difficult job, but again, it isn't my passion. I still derive more pleasure sometimes from my hobbies (like writing this book).

Hobbies are a wonderful diversion from work. They inspire you to do wonderful things and they keep your mind busy and continuously challenged. It's an even more amazing thing if your hobby blossoms into a part-time business or an added source of income. There are many budding artists, photographers and craftsmen (or craftswomen) that have made their mark in life by pursuing a hobby and a dream. That is their niche.

Some people are quite content to have a variety of jobs or careers running at the same time. I know a number of people who have several part-time jobs and have chosen to pursue intellectual variety versus one particular career. Their logic is the opportunity to meet all these new and different people that they will interact with during the day. They are not concerned or interested in becoming any kind of executive or manager. They don't want any kind of responsibility other than simple duties and a regular routine. That is their niche.

There are still many women (and even men now) that would rather raise their children at home and have chosen not to work at all. Their niche is the career of being a full-time mom or dad. There are many family situations today where women willingly choose to stay home for the first 5 years of a child's life and then decide to take up a new career (or an old favourite) once the child is off to school full-time. Many moms look at child-rearing as being more important than anything else (including money) and may sacrifice a less important career for a more enjoyable, rewarding home life. These are not easy decisions and finances could be (and probably will be) a deciding factor. That is their niche.

Some people are gifted at an early age with an athletic ability. They have to train and develop their skills of competition and the finesse of their activity or sport through their teens and early adulthood. They know and love the thrill of their ability and focus on the joy of competition and the fruits of victory. Unfortunately many athletes lose their career by mid-life due to sheer wear and tear on their body. They can no longer perform at the level they need to compete. Many of these athletes may choose a new career in a related field or may branch-out in a completely different direction. Who would have known that Tim Horton (the famous hockey player) would like coffee and build an empire of coffee and donut shops?

Some athletes are lucky enough that they don't have to do anything after their professional careers are over because they have made incredible amounts of money. They don't want another "career". They may have been so good as an athlete that they have literally "burned out" and can't do anything else. They may choose to do nothing more than enjoy their freedom and travel around the world. That is their niche.

Others choose to stay with one job that's comfortable and are quite content to retire from it once their working days are done. They have no keen desire to do anything else and their lives are full with other things. My significant other describes this as the "golden handcuff". I really like that expression. It says it all ! The job is somewhat fun but the money is just too good to pass up and it would simply be idiotic (at this time) to leave something this easy. It isn't the dream career but it is the next best thing. That is her niche.

I will in all likelihood try several things throughout my life. I don't feel "tied" to anything other than living a good life that is rewarding and fun. I like writing and I like my hobbies but I like being with "you know who" and I like doing all the wonderful things like travelling, recreation, sports and home renovating. My niche is fine, right where it is, right now.

Pure and simple..

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- This storyworx page was last updated on January 26th, 1998 -