I Have Two Careers

I Have Two Careers

 

I was reading this interesting write up by Kabir Sehgal “Why You Should Have (at least) Two Careers” and it made me think and ponder upon. 

 

Kabir says “you also will be dreaming about switching to a career that’s drastically different from your current job. It’s rare for people to make a leap, the cost of switching is too high, and possibility of success is low. The answer here isn’t to plug away in your current job, unfulfilled and slowly burning out. The answer is to do both. Two careers are better than one. And by committing to two careers, you will produce benefits of both”.

 

As I put my own experience in this write-up, you will visualize, how this has helped me.

 

In my case I have three vocations: I work with Entrepreneurs and Corporate Clients; I am a Wildlife & Nature Photographer and I also write. I have been asked this question many a time and they ask, “How do I find time to do it all’? My answer to them “I make the time”.

 

As per Kabir the more revealing query would be “why do you have multiple career?” Quite simply, working many jobs makes me happier and leaves me more fulfilled. It also helps me perform better at each job. This is how it helps.

 

Subsidize skill development: 

 

The Entrepreneurs & my Corporate Clients with whom I work they help me subsidize my other career in Nature & Wildlife photography. With no track record on the other career, no one was going to pay for these, it was not the money that motivated me to pick this career, but it was my passion. Because of this, I started volunteering myself for this work. My day jobs afforded me the capital for me to pick and make good images from the nature and wildlife. 

 

After clicking so many images of nature and wildlife, winning awards, conducting exhibitions, few have reached out to me to see if they can collaborate with me. I still refuse payments, because making pictures is something everlasting, it is a reward for me.

 

At the same time, I typically invite my corporate executives and clients to my travel to the National Parks and join me for an experience and deep learning. For them, it is always exciting to go “behind the scenes” and see the creative part. My clients having such experience helps me drive revenue at work so both by corporate work and my Nature and Wildlife is mutually beneficial.

 

Making Friends in Different Circles

 

During my Corporate work, my professional circle was initially limited to folks from the sector and functions. Because I am a Nature & Wild lifer, I have gotten to know of Photographers who work in different industries, professions and regions i.e. Doctors, Pilots, Industrialists, Environmentalists, Chartered Accountants, Management Experts, Lawyers and expats. I would never have expected meeting people from such a large horizon, being in job. I have also introduced people who would have typically never meet and unlock their value.

 

Discover Real Innovations

 

When I work different jobs, I can identify where my ideas interact and more significantly where they should interact. As per Steve Jobs “It’s Technology married with Liberal Arts, Married with Humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing”.

 

When we follow our curiosities, we bring passion to our careers, that leaves us fulfilled. And by doing both the jobs, I end up doing all of them better.