can't we just get paid to be awesome?

[concertinette]

Find a way to get paid to do what you love!
Or will that just make you not love it so much any more?

Interesting article, discussing the psychology of rewards and motivation.  Actually, it doesn't discuss as much as I wish it did - I'd love to be at least mildly interested in seeing some of the studies he mentions.  (I found the article interesting

Comments

[coco_keesses]

If we could all figure this out - we'd all be happy and well paid

[concertinette]

Yes, I'm not advocating having the dullest of dull careers just to keep your hobbies safe from burnout. Choosing a job that will allow you to do things you find interesting is essential, but choosing a job that is related to the things you most enjoy doing is not always a good idea. I'd say it's about your reasons for liking things and the reasons people would pay you to do them, and whether those reasons are the same or different. So if you like doing X - for example, knitting - because you find it relaxing and a nice way to fill the time, trying to convert it to a job is a bad idea. But if you like the sense of accomplishment you get from taking one thing (yarn) and turning it into something else (sweater) in a non-obvious way (playing with patterns) then maybe having someone give you money for that sweater would add to the sense of accomplishment

[anonymous]

This is the very stuff I've been struggling with of late...

I just bought this house, have a new (to me) car, need roof repair, and most of all, am searching for what to do next with the larger part of my days. And I toy with the ideas of selling my crafty stuff on Etsy, or somehow being able to ditch the 9-5 when/if I become a hotshot, in-demand dance caller. But I fear the loss of fun in my hobbies if I do that.

So, while I'd like to ge more out of the 9-5 than a paycheck, the true reward is the freedom, financial and time-wise to pursue the stuff I love. This theory mostly works.

But today in particular, I still want to ditch work, make and sell crafts, and go everywhere for dance stuff.

-Joanna