It's strange how fast things seem to be changing all the time. The courses I'm taking at school have once again had a profound effect on my way of thinking and plans for the future. I'm studying at the right place then, I guess.

Before this year I've rarely considered trying to earn money from what I like to do, like music and photography. In part that's due to the fact that trying to make a profession out of a hobby can be a dangerous thing - it's easy to forget why you're doing it, especially when there are bills to pay. The hobby you love may well become the work you hate... or so I've heard.

The fact is, until our world becomes a utopia where robots do all the work, energy is free and everyone has a food replicator in their kitchen, people will need money to live. I've always been taught that you need to work in a "proper job", be that as an employee or an entrepreneur, to get by. To that end, for the past few years I've been studying things that I might like to do as my "proper job", thinking that getting a regular paycheck and paying taxes is the holy grail of being a productive member of society.
All that time I've been putting off doing things that I really like to do and ignoring people who have told me to start sending demos and putting my photos up on microstock sites. I just couldn't fathom that someone might be willing pay for the stuff I produce.

In this year's business courses, while listening to all the talk about money, clients and selling, it occurred to me that working for clients and realizing other people's ideas might not be the thing I want to do for the rest of my life. At the very least I should find out if anyone would be willing to pay for things I do anyway.

So, coming back to the heading of this blog entry, my plans for this year are to make my music more heard and complete some of the tracks that I've been working on for the past years. As for photography, I'll be putting my photos on microstock sites and try to diversify the themes I shoot. Since my BA studies are progressing well and I've became more proficient at web design, the third big plan for this year will be relaxing... learning how to take a day off even when there's work to be done, drop courses when appropriate, say "No" when someone needs something that I know will be too stressful to do and so on. Maybe I'll even get around to playing some videogames again :)

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Fielding Schultz   2008-06-03 12:49:49 Neo, Your '28 Hours' video is very impressive. What a beautiful city. How much petrol did we see burned up as the day progressed? One of so many things that you will see change in your lifetime. You will be very successful, and get over the worry of trading of your time and talents for gold. Money is just the exchange of love between people, and the highest callings are to serve others. You will be paid well to serve us your wonderful talents and creativity. Then you will be in command of keeping beans and rice on your table, which is what it means to be an adult. Growing up is not always fun, but it is necessary. Just be sure to maintain the inner spark of childish glee at the marvels of life itself. You are right that things change when a hobby becomes a job, but do not fear the change. On the other hand, to be happy in life, always have a hobby that is unpaid and just something that you do for yourself on your own time for the sake of love only. Your passions will change with the years and your personal development. Follow your passion, because there is always a purpose for you there, even if you don't understand what it is until much later. Give up the need to know why things happen as they do. Learn to accept all that comes your way with reverence and respect, from the greatest joys to the deepest sorrows. Every moment of your mortal life bears instructions for your eternal career in the cosmos. Listen to the quiet and persistent little voice that leads you ever deeper into your mission on this wayward planet. I shall watch your progress from my little island so far away and yet so close. You won't need luck because you have learned the secret of mastering your talents. -Fielding Reply

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