Evaluate your talents: Hobbies turned to extra spending money

A hobby is defined as an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. Immediately what comes to mind as your hobbies? You may not realize it, but you can turn your hobby into paying as-needed work.

We aren’t saying go out and start your own company – there are so many ways to do what you love without that kind of commitment. A hobby is also something you do in your leisure time, not full-time.

Here are a few hobby turned revenue examples for you to think about:

• Shakespeare said it best, “If music be the food of love, play on!” Vocal, instrumental, or both, music is a talent. Skills as a performer could mean that you could sub for gigs in your local area and qualify you to work in music-related retail shops as an expert.

• Pets = Happiness. Pets are wonderful and steering your love for animals could be your way of spending time with your furry friends and getting paid. Pet owners are always on the lookout for reliable dog walkers and pet sitters.

• Should have been born a fish. Constantly at the pool, lake or ocean and can’t get away? Why apply and test for a lifeguard’s certificate? The American Red Cross offers a course and you can find out local certification classes at your local pool or YMCA.

• Shop ‘til you drop. Well, maybe not literally but shopping to many is a favorite past-time. You could use skills such as finding the best sale and knowing what’s on trend to be a personal shopper.

• Canon vs. Nikon. The new generation of digital photography has allowed this pastime to be more accessible to all. No longer having to develop your own film means if you own a camera you could be an amateur turned hired photographer.

Hobbies are as the definition says, pleasurable. Doing it probably means you are doing something you love.  “When what you are doing is aligned with who you are and what you’re naturally drawn to, it’s energizing. And not only is doing the work energizing, it also doesn’t drain you like work that doesn’t fit,” says Curt Rosengren speaker, author, and career coach.

Not sure what hobby to utilize or where to start? Identify a potential paying hobby by making a list of what you do in your spare time. Ask your friends and family what they think. Hidden (and some obvious) talents will emerge. Are you at the beginning of your career process (i.e. student)?

You probably are doing this already by thinking about what exactly your interests are for your career path in life. If you are already on your career path, look at it as an exercise to remind you what you love to do.

“When you love your job, you are able to really put your heart into it, which results in staying motivated, utilizing creative energy and doing the best job you are capable of,” says Andrew G. Rosen on Jobacle.com.

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By channeling your hobby as revenue, you add valuable skills to your resume. Brush up your talents and make extra money by adding your hobby (aka: expertise) on nextcrew.com.  Check out our list of expertise options today.