I Don't Know Where to Begin...

[dmaterialized]

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted here more (though I really should, and probably will soon).

Here's my problem. I'm a college student with a tremendous amount of skills, but no real clear plan of how to make money. I was raised very "afraid" of money and I've done a lot to combat it but I know that there are some inner issues I really need to work out-- which is probably why I always seem broke (even when I'm not).

I just can't seem to get a well-paying job that fits me, and I'm not sure if it's me, or the job, or both.

I'm putting myself through college, at about $4000 a year, which isn't too terrible. I live at home during the summer, so no rent. I run a relatively successful Mac tech support and private consulting service which on a good streak will net me about $600 a week. Perfectly great, right? I couldn't be happier.

The problem is that it's so inconsistent; this month I've been home for three weeks and haven't made a dime, and due to credit card bills I'm basically completely out of cash. I know this happens to everyone but I find (particularly with finances) that I get very very discouraged. I know that abundance is out there, but I need to find more paths for it to come to me.

Steve's writing inspired me to begin blogging, which I took up last year. I love doing it but haven't made any money with it. I'm very creative, and am getting into fine art photography-- which is my real passion, but of course is difficult to get paid for.

I just don't know what to do or where to turn.

I'm thinking of getting a bartending license because this summer I desperately need to make a LOT of money. I'm going to be traveling abroad on this fantastic trip called Semester at Sea (a "classroom on a boat" that sails around the world, stopping in 18 countries) and it's the chance of a lifetime. I want to have the money available to do what I want (within reason)-- and of course I need to be able to afford the trip (which should be somewhat doable, but I don't want to push it).

Anyway, I'm not sure what to do, or what I'm posting this for, but I really need ideas. I'm a creative person, but lack the business savvy of my girlfriend (whose dad is a pretty amazing entrepreneur), and I REALLY don't like most high-tech work (like web design). I'm too right-brained for that kind of thing, but I love what I do (working with people, taking pictures, writing, research). I just don't know how to turn it into a business, aside from what I'm already doing.. and that seems very inconsistent and not long-term.

Bartending might not be such a bad idea, but I'm curious if people have other possibilities. I'm kind of at my wits' end. Thanks SO MUCH for any thoughts--of any kind--you might have (and if I'm wording things here that reveal my more severe "issues" with money or the world, point them out-- I have a lot to learn about LoA)

[1000feet]

There's two important factors to making money from skills: knowing how they can help other people get what they want, and knowing the related skills that you need. For example if you want to be self-employed it helps to know how to organize your work, how to communicate well, and how to show potential customers what you can do for them (without wasting their time). If you aren't already good at this it can take time to learn and get the relationships that will keep you going. If you don't want to go that way you can look for a regular job that uses your skills and hope your employer will be better at selling and managing; in that case you need to approach someone give them every reason to believe that you'll be adding a lot of value to their business. If you don't want to do either of those things a bartending job might be a good short-term solution.

[dmaterialized]

Originally Posted by 1000feet

There's two important factors to making money from skills: knowing how they can help other people get what they want, and knowing the related skills that you need. For example if you want to be self-employed it helps to know how to organize your work, how to communicate well, and how to show potential customers what you can do for them (without wasting their time). If you aren't already good at this it can take time to learn and get the relationships that will keep you going. If you don't want to go that way you can look for a regular job that uses your skills and hope your employer will be better at selling and managing; in that case you need to approach someone give them every reason to believe that you'll be adding a lot of value to their business. If you don't want to do either of those things a bartending job might be a good short-term solution.

That's a really surprisingly good response. Thanks! That seems "obvious" but I never really considered the fact that employment is just a means to let someone else handle the promotion of your skills. I definitely want to help people, and I'm not against having a normal job (that I enjoy). I'm definitely looking into more things with this mindset, though--thanks again.

(And as if by magic, several clients have called me up since that message)

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by dmaterialized

The problem is that it's so inconsistent; this month I've been home for three weeks and haven't made a dime, and due to credit card bills I'm basically completely out of cash. I know this happens to everyone but I find (particularly with finances) that I get very very discouraged.

Ooops, dangerous belief. It DOESN'T happen to everyone. If you believe that it does, ummm, that may explain some of your difficulties.

[Gewyne]

After reading your post I understand what you are going through. One thing did jump out at me however and that was;

I'm a creative person, but lack the business savvy of my girlfriend (whose dad is a pretty amazing entrepreneur).

Have you thought of asking him for help or idea's or if he is really good maybe ask him to be your mentor you so you can improve your skills ?

I am sure you will find your "thing" and it seems you are leaving your options open. Good luck with whatever direction you take...

p.s. Enjoy your cruise, it sounds like a wonderful oppurtunity.

[dmaterialized]

Originally Posted by Gewyne

Have you thought of asking him for help or idea's or if he is really good maybe ask him to be your mentor you so you can improve your skills ?

Haha, funny about that. Not to go OT but, well, I would love to and for reasons I can't really go into, he doesn't know who I am (even after his daughter has been LIVING with me at school for almost two years)... it's a long story. I do hope it gets resolved soon, though-- but until she decides to let him in on our relationship (which she is worried about doing, for a few specific reasons), I'm not really able to talk to him... no matter how much I'd like to. He sounds like a generally good guy and I think she's being really paranoid, but I can also understand that she's afraid of alienating the only other person she has (her mother was murdered while visiting Pakistan several years ago, and her father has become incredibly possessive since then). Like I said, it's a long story...

Anyway. Back to more pleasant matters: thanks Godot for pointing that out, since it's something I completely missed... and I'm going to keep coming up with new ideas. Steve said once that he could sit down and think up hundreds of income-generating ideas-- if he can do it, so can I, right? (But woah, that does seem pretty amazing...)