There comes a time in most of our lives when we find ourselves asking: am I truly happy in my career?
It's a valid question. And one way to make your working week better than your weekend is by turning your passion into your day job. And no, this isn't a bogus scheme where we tell you that you can make £1,500 a day by sitting in your dressing gown.
This is a call to arms to rethink your 9 to 5, inspired by The San Miguel Rich List. Profiling incredible women who have taken alternative job routes to put their passions before their pay, this initiative profiles inspiring change-makers who value being 'life-rich'. Career paths range from a coppersmith to an adventure psychologist.
Still don't believe it's possible? Don't take our word for it, take advice from someone who has actually done it. Here Kate Bellamy, a TV-production-assistant-turned-florist, gives her top tips on how to do a career pivot and pursue your passion.
1 - Gain experience
Before you quit your day job, make sure you have solid experience in your chosen area.
“One of my first ever jobs was working on a flower stall," says Kate. "I was 19 and after just a few weeks, the owner asked if I wanted to run it by myself. Being young and fearless, I couldn’t see any reason why (despite having minimal experience and knowing nearly nothing about floristry) I couldn’t run it solo.
"On the stall I learnt the basics, from buying flowers to how to price up a bouquet, as well as practical skills like conditioning plants and flower arranging. I wouldn't be running my own floristry business today without that essential early knowledge."
2 - Ask yourself: what makes you happy?
If you're struggling to find satisfaction in your current role, first try to identify if you're truly unhappy or if it's just a blip.
“Although I had a lot of fun working in TV, I sometimes struggled to work on shows I didn’t like or that I disagreed with," Kate admits. "I also spent a lot of time commuting - spending four hours a day travelling to and from a job will really make you question whether or not you're happy!"
Write down the negatives to help you learn what you don't want from your 9 to 5 and to help you figure out next steps.
“Think about what it is about the job that’s making you unhappy and write a list of possible ways you could change it," Kate advises. "Meanwhile, focus on your interests by watching online videos or by taking a class in something you’re passionate about in your free time. Nothing changes if nothing changes.”
3 – Make sure it's more than just a hobby
Is your passion something you're naturally wired to succeed in, or simply a hobby? It's important to know the difference.
"I've always loved nature and seeing the changes of the seasons being translated through the foliage and flowers," says Kate. "For me, floristry is an extension of that feeling. I use a lot of locally grown flowers and greenery and getting to play with those is really exciting to me.
"I knew I could make a career out of floristry as I knew I was good at it. When I was still working in TV, simply going out and buying flowers once a week didn’t feel like enough to me. I needed more."
4 – Don’t let yourself get in the way
It's easy to make excuses about why we can't do things, but most of the time, the only thing that's stopping us is ourselves.
"It’s rarely other people who stop us from taking leaps of faith," Kate admits. "It's more likely to be a seed of doubt in our own heads that's holding us back. It’s much easier to give yourself a list of reasons why it’s better to keep things as they are, rather than making a move into unknown territory."
5 - Take the leap
If the chance comes, take it and don't look back.
"Ever since leaving the flower stall, I had missed working with flowers," Kate says. "When a new flower shop opened up near me years later, I knew it was my chance to try and get back into the industry. Thankfully, they were happy to take me on and it went from there.
"I had to take a pay cut, but I knew that as long as I was working regularly it wouldn’t be too bad. If you enjoy what you do and you're getting positive feedback, it’s always going to be a more fulfilling way to spend your time. I liked working in TV, but I love working in floristry."
6 – Picture the positives
Motivate yourself by imagining your future self on your newly chosen career path.
“I definitely have more freedom in this job and I get to organise my time and how I work," says Kate. "I get to walk my dog every morning, and I love being able to physically create something. I'll start the day with a load of flowers and by the end I'll have a big installation piece, a beautiful bridal bouquet or a table arrangement. To be able to see the end of a day’s work feels really rewarding.
“We all have bills to pay and that’s not worth overlooking. But for me, I'd rather be life-rich than financially wealthy. This way, I have more time to enjoy the money I earn.”
Inspired to change your career to match your passion? Explore The San Miguel Rich List and meet other people who have dedicated their lives to pursuing what truly makes them happy
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