elainemcooper
Lisa Lickel
Hobby or Business—How Do You View What You Do?
Posted by April W Gardner on September 26, 2012
(This post is a carryover from my “Do You Need a Business License?” post from two weeks ago.)
When I discovered I needed one to be legal, applying for and obtaining a license for my fledgling home business did something for me I never expected.
I’m an author and, more recently, an editor with Astraea Press. True to their claim, authors don’t make much money. Pennies really. I got my first royalty check nearly three years ago and, for whatever reason, have struggled to go anywhere much with sales. Paying taxes hasn’t even been necessary.
But to be perfectly honest, I viewed writing more like a hobby than a business. Don’t get me wrong,
Me. Working from patio furniture purchased with my hard earned dollars.
I didn’t want it to be a hobby. I WANTED to earn money, but a person’s mindset has everything to do with whether or not that will happen. If a girl doesn’t take her work seriously, if she doesn’t appropriately value her skills and time, no one else will either.
Late last year, I came to a critical juncture in my career. Frustrated and weary, I decided I’d either swim or sink, but I was going to do it on my own. One of my 2012 New Year’s resolutions (the only one I’ve ever stuck with) was to have my writing support itself 100%—no more begging money off my very sweet and willing husband. I’d pay for business cards, fliers, or that $1,000 conference, or I wouldn’t have them.
It seemed an outrageous notion. I honestly didn’t think I could do it and actually get anywhere, but for half the year, I did OK.
This summer was turning point. It happened the day I decided to get a business license.
It took me some weeks to get around to making it official, and if you want to read step-by-step how I went about doing that, you can visit my last Reflections post.
Come to find out, investing (yes, investing!) in a business license was exactly what my floundering career needed. The moment I held that license, I felt like a business woman. Stupid, I know, but it’s true. I view my job in a whole different light now. Notice my use of the word “job”? Yep, writing and editing isn’t a hobby anymore.
It’s what I DO. And I treat it with all the value and respect of a business. I have a budget and daily, weekly, and yearly goals. My time is blocked for certain activities, putting the most time toward my DPAs (dollar producing activities).
I require others to value and respect my work and time, too. No middle of the day chats with friends. I love you all dearly, truly, I do. But if you call me while I’m working, I’ll let the phone go to voicemail and get back with you at my next scheduled break.
At the risk of sounding New Age, let me point out that the mind and one’s attitude are a powerful things. Do not underestimate them.
God called me to this job. He believes in me. I should believe in me too! After which, I’ll give Him all the glory for the skill, energy, and encouragement He provides along the way.
I’m not a name-it-and-claim it kinda Christian, and I’m not rolling in the dough (far from it!!), but I’m got business cards, fliers, and went to that $1,000 conference. No thanks to my sweet, willing husband’s wallet. 
In addition to that, at the suggestion of a my very business savvy sister, I set a goal to reward myself for my hard work. She told me to think of something–a luxury–I’ve wanted but couldn’t afford. Something I’d never spend the money on because there’s always something else more important that needs to come first.
So I did.
Somehow, that goal in mind made me work harder, and to my utter astonishment, I not only reached my goal, I surpassed it. Now, I work from my patio on my lovely new furniture. (Pix above)
And you guessed it, I have set another reward-goal for myself.
My business has supported itself probably 95% this year. 2013 will be even better. Actually, in 2013 I plan to make a PROFIT. There have been times since January I’ve had to say “no” to whatever marketing venture I wanted to explore, but for the most part, God has provided.
What was the big change? It’s as simple as this–I’m viewing what I do as a business, and THAT makes all the difference.
How do you view what you do? Is it an accurate perception? What are your time and skills worth? Put a monetary value on them, then shoot for it!
–April W Gardner is an award-winning author, an editor,
and the founder of the literary contest site, Clash of the Titles
8 Responses to “Hobby or Business—How Do You View What You Do?”
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Katy Lee said
Well said….I really like the idea of the no phones calls during the day.
April W Gardner said
Hi Katy! Yes, no phone calls makes a huge difference!
LisaLickel said
You made me look into whether or not I need a conditional use permit in my township to operate as a business in my home. Perhaps…I’ll have to connect with the town clerk.
Hobby or business is also a tax “bracket” believe it or not. Shellie Neumeier, a professional tax preparer, talked about this a couple of years ago. If you are a business with an EIN, you must show that you make a profit three out of five years when you file. Ouch. Made me plan my advertising campaign a lot more seriously.
April W Gardner said
So what happens if you DON’T make a profit? You lose your EIN? (Not that I have one. lol Uh…do I need one??)
Susan Baganz said
I’m on the cusp of this myself. I don’t need a business license to write out of my home -but I do need to mentally start calling myself more and more a writer or author instead of just kind of saying I”m a homemaker and *ahem cough, whisper* author. I may not be making money – YET – but I need to start working like I do and be more intentional about my time. I like the idea of setting concrete goals and I need to pray and do that to help me shoot for something tangible. Thanks for the nudge!
April W Gardner said
Susan, yes, yes, yes! You do need to start setting goals. I SO wish I’d done that many years ago. If you have nothing to shoot for, you’ll miss every time. And when you say you’re an author, do so with your chin high and your hand raised in praise. So set those goals, keep constant track of them, and be confident in your calling! Yay for writers!! LOL
Elaine Marie Cooper said
Great post, April. Yes, we need to treat our work like the professionals we are. I have a sales license for when I do book sales during an outdoor event, fair, or for when members of a book club want to purchase directly from me. I personally find the business aspect a bit confusing. But what is not confusing is the need to respect our work time and encourage others to do the same. We work hard for the money (as the old song goes!), even though most of us are not exactly rolling in it!
April W Gardner said
Oh, sheesh. Me too, Elaine. So confusing! and I live in fear that I’m doing something wrong that will come back to haunt me later! LOL We can only do what we know to do.
Yes, we work hard. Every penny is more than earned! LOl Thanks for chatting.