John loved singing in the choir ever since he was a kid. He dreamed of being a big star, performing in front of huge crowds, and going on music tours when he grew up.
Music was his passion, something he really enjoyed doing. But as John got older, life took a different turn.
John finished his college with a good grade from a big university. After he graduated, he started working in tech as a UI/UX designer.
But he never stopped loving music. He imagined winning big awards like the Headies or the Grammys someday.
Now, John has saved some money from his tech job. He thinks it’s the right time to leave his job and fully chase his music dreams. He has enough funds to produce his first music album, called an EP (Extended Playlist).
Here’s some advice for John about his job and his passion.
John needs to understand that quitting a job, especially in a tough economy like Nigeria’s, requires careful thinking and planning.
While chasing a dream is important, earning money to pay for daily needs is also crucial.
Passion vs Reality
John should realize that his dream of becoming a singer must be weighed against the reality of making it a stable career.
He should learn about the business side of music. This includes things like producing music, promoting it, and creating videos, among other tasks that a successful musician needs to handle.
Preparation
If John really wants to leave his job for music, he needs to be ready for the challenges ahead. He should have made some progress before he jumps fully into his passion.
Has he created enough songs? Has he performed at many shows? Has he built a strong network in the music industry and an online presence?
These steps are not a sure path to success, but they help build a strong foundation for his dream.
Just like a young football player who wants to play for top clubs in Europe, John should practice regularly, attend music events, and keep up with the trends in the music industry.
This preparation can help when an opportunity comes up.
Market Demand
John needs to understand what the music market wants. It’s not enough to just sing; he should know how popular his music genre is.
For example, Afrobeats is very popular in Nigeria. Is John’s music style similar to Afrobeats?
If he wants to do other genres like Gospel, Fuji, Hip-Hop, or Rap, he needs to know how he can make a living from it. This knowledge will help him avoid turning his dream into a disappointment.
Contingency Plan/Exit Strategy
When following a passion, John must realize that many people are competing for the same dream, and opportunities are limited.
In fields like music, football, and acting, hundreds of people are trying their luck every day.
John must be realistic. There’s always a chance that things might not go as planned.
Like a coin toss, there’s a 50-50 chance of success or failure. John needs a backup plan in case his music career doesn’t work out. This will help him avoid ending up without a job or income.
John should also consider how long he can sustain his passion. For instance, can he continue making Afrobeats in his 50s?
There are many success stories of people who left their jobs to follow their passions and succeeded.
While this can be fulfilling, it’s essential to think about all these factors before deciding to leave a steady job for a passion.