Don’t commercialise certain skills of yours

Why not make some extra cash from your talent?

Alrighty then, you know what they say, "never mix business with pleasure," and that's especially true when it comes to hobbies and talents.

Imagine this: You've been an avid knitter for years, churning out cozy blankets and adorable hats for your loved ones. One day, your friend suggests that you start selling your creations on Etsy. "Why not make some extra cash from your talent?" they say. And so, you decide to give it a go.

Fast forward a few weeks, and you're knee-deep in orders for hand-knit sweaters. You're up all night, every night, knitting away like a madwoman. You're so sick of knitting that you can't even look at yarn anymore, let alone enjoy the soothing motion of your needles. You're stressed out, tired, and cranky. Congratulations, you've successfully turned your beloved hobby into a soul-sucking job!

The same goes for other skills as well. You might love cooking and experimenting with new recipes in your free time, but once you start selling your food, suddenly it becomes less about fun and more about making a profit. You start cutting corners and using cheaper ingredients to maximise your earnings, and before you know it, your food doesn't taste as good as it used to.

And let's not forget about the fact that once you start selling your skills, people will start expecting you to do it for free. "Oh, you're a graphic designer? Can you make me a logo for my new business? I don't have any money, but it'll be great exposure for you!" Yeah, right.

So, my advice to you is this: keep your hobbies and talents separate from your business ventures. If you love doing something, don't turn it into a chore. And if you're going to start selling your skills, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons, and that you're not sacrificing your own happiness in the process. Otherwise, you might end up hating something you used to love.