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Monetizing hobbies

tegowerk.eu

11–20 of 98 posts

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#11

I've monetised my hobbies three times so far. All three times it has become lucrative, but none of them are hobbies any more. One of the important things along the way I've learned is that what makes hobbies relaxing and fun isn't about the specific task you're doing but the fact that it's about enjoying the process of making/doing rather than feeling pressure to deliver the end result. That's not to say I have any r…

I agree with this sentiment. I started taking sponsorships for my blog and it very quickly sucked the fun away from it. I now felt like I couldn't do whatever I wanted because I needed to optimize the sponsor's time and post content to make them feel like it was worth it. In other words, it became a boring job.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#13
A hobby should be something you can do for yourself. Something you get pleasure / relaxation / a welcomed distraction. out of doing.

If you take up painting (art, not houses) you should know you will never be Rembrandt and it should not keep you from painting (Unless painting houses is your hobby)

With things like (marathon) running, hiking, it is easy to meassure Objective progress and qutie hard to moneteize.

If you are a programmer all day, and your hobby is programming I dont think that is ideal.

I have been there myself a bit earier in life and regret that now.

Thers is soo much to see, experience, learn outside of computers.

Plus doing something else will help your brain relax, or at least not running the exact same parts as when you are at work, that is in itself a valuabe thing. Giving your brain something different to chew on, connect new paths, all good.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#14
I like the "don't get caught up in metrics" approach.

I love what I do. Folks here, would call it a "hobby," because I don't get paid for it, but I guarantee that the folks I'm working with, don't see it that way. They are quite aware that I have done hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of top-shelf, beyond-production-Quality work for them, for free.

I do work, for free, that would have a lot of startup founders crying in their beer. I take it ultra-seriously, and do a highly professional job. In fact, the professionalism of my approach is one of the challenges that I set for myself.

I don't bother measuring myself. I may measure my code, but not myself.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#15

I've monetised my hobbies three times so far. All three times it has become lucrative, but none of them are hobbies any more. One of the important things along the way I've learned is that what makes hobbies relaxing and fun isn't about the specific task you're doing but the fact that it's about enjoying the process of making/doing rather than feeling pressure to deliver the end result. That's not to say I have any r…

> All three times it has become lucrative, but none of them are hobbies any more.

I regularly wonder how to balance the intrinsic pleasure with extrinsic value. I keep thinking that people could meet on the point where both find great pleasure in this venture. Something rare in the current economy it seems.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#16
Why do we feel the need to be 'productive' (in the economics sense) even in our leisure time?

I'm not sure such an attitude is healthy or sustainable. We fought hard to get a 40 hour work week, why do we feel pressure to go back on that and work in our leisure time?

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#18

Why do we feel the need to be 'productive' (in the economics sense) even in our leisure time? I'm not sure such an attitude is healthy or sustainable. We fought hard to get a 40 hour work week, why do we feel pressure to go back on that and work in our leisure time?

My personal development should not be driven by my work.

Personal development means more than sitting in front of a tv.

I want to need to work less so I can be productive for myself.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#19

I've monetised my hobbies three times so far. All three times it has become lucrative, but none of them are hobbies any more. One of the important things along the way I've learned is that what makes hobbies relaxing and fun isn't about the specific task you're doing but the fact that it's about enjoying the process of making/doing rather than feeling pressure to deliver the end result. That's not to say I have any r…

A hobbie with dates isn't a hobbie.

I also successfuly monetized my hobbies.

Re: Monetizing hobbies

#20

I've monetised my hobbies three times so far. All three times it has become lucrative, but none of them are hobbies any more. One of the important things along the way I've learned is that what makes hobbies relaxing and fun isn't about the specific task you're doing but the fact that it's about enjoying the process of making/doing rather than feeling pressure to deliver the end result. That's not to say I have any r…

Which hobbies did you monetize? I'm curious. I'm guessing EspoTek Labrador is one of them (which I'll be sure to remember when I get back into electronics)
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