Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace Report found 70 percent of workers are either not engaged or actively disengaged in their jobs. In other words, a vast majority of Americans hate their work and are simply putting in time for a paycheck. This phenomenon is not only costing the U.S. business sector over a half trillion dollars in lost productivity every year but is also inhibiting individuals from discovering their true calling in life.

The report found the most engaged employees felt their jobs had a direct impact on the company’s success and were allowed to work from home on occasion, which translated into them logging four more working hours per week than disengaged workers. A job to an engaged employee is more like a hobby or passion they just happen to get paid for. This type of arrangement is possible for anyone willing to temporarily step out of their comfort zone and determine what it is they truly want out of life.

Sacrifice For The Future

Jayne Lawton was a horticulture lecturer at the University of Manchester for years. One day after helping a few students identify flowers by scent and texture, she came up with the idea of GroBox, a biodegradable ready-to-plant box anyone can use to start a garden. She invested £2,000 ($3,200) of her own money and seven years later, GroBox is sold internationally and used by charities like OxFam and Amnesty International, according to the Daily Mail.

Regardless of your passion, it’s best to invest your own funds to get started. You can always go to venture capitalists or banks for funding, but that adds the burden of debt to your enterprise. Borrowing money from friends and family can strain relationships and take the joy out of your new endeavor. Keeping overhead costs low and doing business within your means gives you the best chance of success. Shop around for the best business cloud storage deals when setting up your online presence and work with smaller suppliers that mutually benefit from your business. The more time and effort you put in from the beginning, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your passion later.

Anything Can Be A Career

“My only hobbies are playing video games and going to restaurants to try new foods. I can’t make money doing that,” says the proverbial Debbie Downer. But Marcus Graham, host and producer of TwitchTV, told CBS News there were a few gamers who live-streamed their games on said website that made six-figures last year. Further, websites like iPoll allow you to upload reviews of everything from fancy 5-star restaurants to food trucks and get paid for it.

The point is any hobby can make you money if you exercise due diligence, put forth the necessary effort and maintain a positive attitude. Is your only hobby working out at the gym six times a week? Take an American Council on Exercise (ACE) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) course and become a certified personal trainer. Do you love writing? Register at E-Lance to find jobs or search for them at Problogger.net. It’s all up to you.

It’s All About The Web

The Internet has made it possible to stumble across a passion and all of a sudden make money from it. Michelle Phan, on a whim, started uploading videos to YouTube instructing women how to shop for the right makeup and accessories. A few years later, she has more than 2 million subscribers to her channel and according to The Insider, was hired by a major cosmetics company as its official makeup artist.

The amount of money earned by people uploading videos to YouTube has doubled each year from 2009 to 2013, said Bing Chen, manager of YouTube’s Partner Program, via ABC News. Upload your weekend hunting videos or those of you training your dog to do tricks; anything that can teach people something and/or entertain them. You never know what could become of it.