Think of the different play possibilities you have, and create a playbook

One of the biggest challenges faced by many people today is that when it comes to finding work that is play, most of us aren’t entirely sure what it is we truly enjoy doing enough to want to do it all the time. In order to get started, you must find something you enjoy doing so much that you would do it even if you never had to work again.

One of the most important tools you will create and use on your path to playing for pay is your playbook. This is a notebook reserved for important ideas, plans, pictures, and inspirational material, all related to your potential play jobs. Your playbook is there to help you plan your way, step by step, and create a career that allows you to have fun while you make money and change the meaning of the word “work.”

As you begin working on your playbook, first sit down and imagine that you are a millionaire. Envision that you are so rich you never have to work again. How would you spend your time? It’s likely you may start fantasizing about exotic holidays and buying expensive gadgets and toys. But once you get through the vacations and spending sprees, what else will you do? What is it that you would enjoy doing?

Here, try to think of the times in your life when you have experienced “flow”—when you have been enjoying something so much that you don’t notice time passing, and you look forward to the next time you can do it. Perhaps this is when you are blogging, cooking, giving people advice, writing software code or doing some DIY. What hobbies do you have that you wish you could do more often? Write them all down.

Now you can make it more visual. Print out pictures, create drawings or collages, make idea maps, and plan out steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Your playbook needs to inspire you and fill you with positive feelings, so put anything in there that makes you happy and excited about your dream career possibilities. The list of things you enjoy and inspirational material will motivate you to work out a plan for turning something you love into something that earns money and gives you ownership of your professional life.