Some of whats been said really rings true with me. What was once a passion turned into a drudgery for me. The drudgery comes only from allowing the business to run you, rather than you running the business. If like me, you suck at the business end and have someone who can take care of that part of it with you, then by all means stick to what you enjoy and are good at.
From the time I took a bow out of the heat box,I was driven to work it non-stop until I could put a string on it and shoot it.
The satisfaction of shooting that first arrow through it and feel the unique energy from that particular bow was like nothing else.
After shooting a bow, if I said, "This is a sweeeeeeet shooter, I wanna keep it", I would let it go out the door. If it didnt have that perfect balance between sweet & smooth, and quick & lively, I would keep it for testing (like leaning it against a tree for a full ten day downpouring rain blacktail hunt on Kodiak, repeated dry-firing, etc.)
It was this drive to shoot each new creation and live the lifestyle that allowed me to pump out the bows, but I resented any and all external pressure to produce. I didnt realize though that we create our own reality. It's only a matter of perception. A money-making hobby is only a business if you call it one.
Chances are that if you are a true craftsman, then your motivation comes from inside, and not from the almighty buck. If you accept that you arent going to get rich from it, choose the pace you are comfortable with, and stick to your guns, then I cant think of a more rewarding way to spend your days.
I stopped building and selling because that little conditioned voice kept telling me that I NEED to make more money and become financially secure. I stopped also because I could see that it becoming a business was taking some of the joy out of it. BUT>>>> years later I realized that not one thing I had done or dollar I earned since, even came close to bringing me the joy I derived from creating a piece of working art that is a custom bow, and then sharing it with others.
Life is short. Do what you feel in your heart is what will bring you AND others the most joy. If we give the best of ourselves to others, the best in life will come back to us. It may not come in the way of greenbacks, but then there are an aweful lot of miserable rich people.
Im moving from this awesome state soon, to a place where the cost of living is less than half what it is here so that I can again use the gifts and the passion for bow and rod building God gave me. I have faith that He will provide as long as I give it my all and give Him the glory.
It's the sharing of your passion with others that will make your business a success. People will see it in you and want some of it. Build it and they will come. I wish you all the best!!!
Topic: Thinking of quiting my day job. (Read 946 times)
