For Love and/or Money

This post is my answer to a question I hear frequently as a career coach:

“Is it true that you should do what you love, and the money will follow?”

The short answer is: sometimes.
The longer and more honest answer requires a closer look.

Now more than ever, there is an ability to turn what you love into a profit-making venture. Technology, access, and global connectivity have made it possible to build a career around interests and passions that once had no clear economic path.

However, just because you can monetize a passion doesn’t mean you should.

Why You Love What You Love Matters

Before turning a passion into a career, it’s wise to understand why you love it.

Take photography, for example. Maybe you love taking photos outdoors because you enjoy being alone. Maybe choosing the shot gives you a sense of freedom and creative control.

That’s important.

Now ask yourself this:
If you were taking photos five days a week, and the content had to be approved, edited, or changed by a paying client, would it still feel like freedom?

If the answer is no, then photography may be better suited as an avocation or hobby.

If the answer is yes, and photography still represents freedom and meaning for you, then it may be time to explore it further as a career option.

This distinction matters more than people realize.

Passion Doesn’t Replace Responsibility

Am I saying you should abandon your life, family, or responsibilities to pursue a dream career?

Absolutely not.

No one should shrug off responsibilities without a plan. Career growth requires both clarity and strategy.

That’s why I recommend:

• Doing your own research
• Or engaging in guided career exploration with a career coach or career counselor

If you discover that your passion also comes with an entrepreneurial spirit, there are many paths forward. Small business support groups, incubators, and business coaches can help you develop the skills needed to turn an idea into something sustainable.

When Passion Meets Entrepreneurship

If a career passion keeps calling to you, and you realize you’re wired to build something of your own, the Internet can become one of your most powerful tools.

Today, people work globally from home offices, creating profitable niches around just about any passion you can imagine. Career growth no longer requires a traditional office, a single employer, or even a single location.

A Real Example: Turning Passion Into Purposeful Work

One powerful example is Rachel Z. Cornell of www.pronagger.com.

After learning that her mother had an aggressive form of cancer, Rachel experienced a profound shift. She saw her mother’s illness as a sign to face the obstacles that had kept her from completing an arts degree—including being legally blind.

Through that process, Rachel learned how to:

• Set daunting goals
• Stay motivated
• Build resilience and direction

With this new clarity (and the reach of the Internet) she created Pro Nagger.

Today, Rachel helps people around the world accomplish everything from writing dissertations to organizing their offices through online programs, tools, and one-on-one coaching.

Yes, she works globally.
Yes, she built a business aligned with her values.
And yes—it’s incredible.

The Real Question to Ask Yourself

So, should you do what you love and expect the money to follow?

The better question is this:

Does the way you love this work still fit when it becomes your work?

When passion, values, responsibility, and strategy align, career growth becomes not just possible but sustainable.

And that’s where thoughtful career coaching can make all the difference.