The Little World

There are no end of cheap how-to books urging you to make money from it.

If something is a genuine earner, this should present itself to you in no uncertain terms, and early on. If you find yourself scheming and convincing yourself, you are very likely lying.

Many talents do not lend themselves to money or fortunes. You could be the most skilled crochet specialist in your quilt club, but you’ll never make a regular income of it. You will, however, keep warm in the worst winter and so will a lot of people who know you. You will not make money – you will make happiness.

The secret to doing this for yourself is to realise early on that the cash may never flow. If you turn a successful hobby into an unsuccessful business, you have three failures on your hands at once; loss of fun, loss of money, and loss of confidence. Had you never monetised you would still have all three.

Be careful with praise and assessment by others. They may have more enthusiasm than sense and if they are not risking their time and money, could say anything upon the spur of the moment. And drive that spur into your flank.