Can A Daring New Hobby Lead To More Profit and Better Opportunities?

Summary

The article suggests that engaging in new, enjoyable hobbies can lead to increased professional opportunities and financial success by connecting with like-minded individuals and those in different industries.

Abstract

The article "Can A Daring New Hobby Lead To More Profit and Better Opportunities?" advocates for integrating fun hobbies into one's networking strategy to enhance career prospects and profitability. The author emphasizes that taking up activities such as playing guitar, attending dance classes, or participating in art workshops can lead to unexpected encounters with potential clients or employers. These settings provide a relaxed environment conducive to exchanging business cards and ideas. The article also advises professionals to seek out networks outside their own industry to avoid competition and tap into new client bases. For example, a real estate agent might find new clients at a farmers' market rather than at a real estate convention. Lastly, the author stresses the importance of active listening and open-mindedness, suggesting that valuable business opportunities can come from the most unexpected sources. Engaging with people from various walks of life allows for the exchange of services and ideas, leading to mutually beneficial relationships.

Opinions

Engaging in hobbies can lead to serendipitous professional encounters and opportunities.
Networking within one's own industry has limitations and may not be the most profitable use of time.
Opposites attract in business; connecting with people in different fields can lead to untapped business opportunities.
Active listening is crucial; every person has valuable ideas and insights that could lead to business success.
Personal enrichment through hobbies can also enrich one's professional life, leading to a more fulfilling and balanced existence.
Exchange of services across different industries can create win-win situations for all parties involved.

Time-tested marketing strategies to increase joy and success.

Whether you are a star on Wall Street, a small business owner, or a niche writer looking for the next project — you will benefit from following these methods. You will be able to focus on a target demographic in a very cool way. There is always room to improve and grow within your field. When (not if ) you come to a plateau and you just can’t get out of a rut with work try these simple steps to open up doors and increase the odds of success — and it can happen where you would least expect.

These methods helped me in real estate, writing jobs, and all types of networking. It is surprising to see the opportunities that land in your lap when you implement these three ideas into your daily grind.

1. Choose cool new hobbies

If you have always wanted to play guitar, now is the time. Here is why. Perhaps you haven’t had the chance to score a meeting with the right person to get your promotion or to land a big deal. Chances are your future boss or client, much like you, also wants to play guitar. Keep your mind open because when you are doing something fun and off-the-beaten-path you will bump into like-minded individuals. Hand them your business card after a fun meeting. Tell them to call you to play a song or to hire you. You would be surprised how often promotions and new job offers come from things like dance classes, group music lessons, Tai Chi in the park, painting workshops, and anything to do with fun hobbies. Not only will you be opening your network up to those who might help you advance but you will also be enriching your life with FUN. That is a cool concept.

“Seek out a niche by looking at the opposite of what you are doing for work. If you are an accountant try getting to know the parents at a local sports group and offer a business card to them ahead of tax season. If you are a hairstylist spend some time at the library — and slide a business card to the people you meet there for when they need a haircut.”

2. Seek out your opposites

Have you ever been to a convention where the whole thing is filled with people from the same industry as you? This happens constantly. When I was a REALTOR there would be huge events meant to help with our businesses. We would all sit together and laugh and talk about the industry conditions. It was fun and useful in a lot of ways but I always had this part of me that nagged in my mind. I thought to myself: “If we are all here to sell more homes, we are certainly not finding new clients in a sea of competing agents.” Surrounding yourself with people who are after the same sale as you might not be a profitable way to use your time.

With the competing agents still fresh in my mind, I went to a local farmers' market as an experiment. I wanted to find the people who worked in a setting totally different than mine. Out of the office, and away from stacks of contracts I was able to observe the vendors on their turf. I met them because I was their new customer. I supported their business by buying fresh farm goods and left a business card whenever it was natural to do so. I tossed in some real estate chat every week.

Farmers and crafters from that local market became a lucrative niche I found and nurtured. I got many listings and buyers that way. It works! Seek out unmined pockets of business by looking at the opposite of what you are doing for work.

If you are an accountant try getting to know a local sports group by walking on a bicycle path after work. When the groups on their bicycles inevitably stop to fill their water bottles take a second to offer a business card. All you have to do is hand out a card and say something unintrusive like: “Get ahead of tax season. Nice bike by the way.” That’s it.

If you are a hairstylist spend some time at the library or a yoga class. When the time is right slide a business card to the people you meet and simply say “If you ever need a trim I am in business at XYZ Salon”. That’s it.

If you are a stay-at-home parent looking to find work with a flexible schedule bring your laptop or iPad with you during errands and take a break at a busy coffee shop. As you interact with businesses email them your resume right there!

If you are a writer imagine who might need the help of someone gifted in language and communication? Send them a letter immediately offering help formatting the text in their lives. Business and personal. I have been hired to write acceptance speeches, greeting cards, eulogies, bridesmaid toasts, and other quirky writing jobs. It all adds up.

3. Listen to the message people are trying to convey to you

All people have a marvelous cognitive gift. When someone chimes into a conversation it is good practice to ALWAYS be respectful and also to open your mind to the possibility of a great, unexpected idea coming from the most surprising sources. When you want to jump to the word “No”, take a breath and ask yourself if you have really understood and considered whatever was said. Only decide things after seeing from an objective viewpoint. Everyone has value to add to life. Listen up. Find out what people are about. It will enrich your soul as much as your bank.

The beauty of mingling with people in different occupations, lifestyles, and routines is you can exchange services in a fresh, new way. Listen and solve their problems and you will be endlessly valuable. You probably NEED each other. I needed healthy foods and had no idea how to find them. The farmer’s market was the way. And I helped them in many ways too — finding homes and helping to sell the ones they wanted out of. It was truly a win-win.

I hope you will find joy in new hobbies and at the same time meet your next big work partner. Good luck and cheers to trying new routes along the way.