The power of another iron
It’s difficult to keep your confidence in your career.
More and more people want to move to a different vocation. There are a lot of noble reasons for the this, not the least of which is the fact that there is usually more money associated with a career move. However, I think there are some deeper motives at play. This may sound odd, but let’s examine it together.
Why do you want to leave you job? Why do you want to begin a brand new job? What are you trying to escape?
At our core (I think it’s human nature), we have a tendency towards restlessness. We want to know the next challenge. We want to know what’s next on the horizon. More importantly, we want to know that if things aren’t going so well here, is there a chance they’d be better elsewhere?
When I started working for the church in 2004, I quickly arrived at the conclusion that I wasn’t perfect at it. I was far from it. There was so much to learn. Some days were better than others. Some days I was reeling with excitement and vision, others, I was in the trenches dealing with conflict and self-doubt.
It wasn’t until 2005 when I enrolled in Bible college full-time online that something happened. The conflicts didn’t bother me as much. I became more productive. I noticed decisions were coming easier to me. And finally, bad days stayed in their own compartment as I moved into school work.
I discovered the power of another iron. And since then, I’ve I’ve always had other irons in the fire.
You might call them side jobs, side work, or my personal favorite, side hustles. They help you.
Trust me.
Let’s look at three reasons why you need a side hustle:
1) It adds to my leadership portfolio. There’s something liberating about the idea that you’re not shackled to only one stream of income and vocation. Having something all together different on the side helps to boost your confidence. I am a video editor, a writer, a corporate trainer, a real estate investor, a motivational speaker and a pastor (that’s my main vocation). They all could exist separately, which builds a versatility into my character and leadership.
2) It diversifies my income. Being able to earn income on the side makes me feel less dependent on one main job for all of my financial needs. There is a quiet desperation among many professionals waiting to see what the next raise is going to be. For me, I know that there are other options to make that raise happen. It doesn’t have to be a conventional decision from my employer.
3) It multiplies my influence. You may not be motivated by this, but I certainly am. I knew when I was young that I wanted to be a leader, and to help people. The currency to have a voice with people is influence. Having side projects enables me to influence people that I normally wouldn’t if I just worked the job of a minister. I love being able to serve people that don’t go to my church, and to have a reputation with people of trust. That means a lot to me, and I’ve built it over the years.
So think about your life. What might you try on the side? What area of untapped talent is laying in your vocational attic? Maybe 2018 is the year to stretch that side hustle muscle!