“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Confucius, a legendary Chinese philosopher, and teacher said that and while its excellent advice, it can sometimes be impractical to follow. There are many reasons why including family pressures or external factors. However, the chief reason preventing many people from chasing their dreams is the financial uncertainty that comes with doing so.

But what if you could eliminate that risk? What if you could guarantee that pursuing your passion could not only give you the fulfillment you desire but also pay the bills?

Myers Delano thinks you can, and his confidence comes from the fact that he’s done it. He turned his love for designing and creating into a career that provides for him and his family, and he’s confident that you can too if you follow these simple tips:

Nurture Your Passion.

Instead of worrying about how you can turn your passion into dollar bills, spend that time nurturing and improving your skills. Stretch your roots, try new things, and give your talents the room they need to grow. Doing so will fuel your passion, something you will need a ton of to get through the next step. 

For Delano, nurturing his passion meant seizing every opportunity to create that he could find. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with creating, especially creating with things I had readily available,” he tells me. “. I joined the photography club in high school and looked forward to every art class. In technical drawing classes, I discovered my passion for meticulosity and uncovered an opportunity to use my hand for metal sculpting.”  

Work Really Hard.

There are three ways to get rich. 

Inherit it, marry into it, or work really, really hard. 

The first two are most likely not in the cards for you, which leaves you with hard work. Lots of it.

“My work habit is simple,” Delano says. “Work till it’s done and be honest about what you can’t do. Learn it if you can, and not in an Instagram hustle motivation kind of way. I am not a robot, but I believe in doing good work, and good work takes time.”

Don’t misunderstand Confucius’s advice. Choosing your passion as a career doesn’t mean that you can lie around comfortably for the rest of your days. Instead, it means that your “work” will not have the tedious quality of regular work, but you will still need to put in the effort. The passion I mentioned earlier comes in here because nothing drives good work like passion.

Be Productive.

Don’t just work though, be productive. That means having results to show for your work and working efficiently. A great way to do this is to leverage digital resources. Posting on the internet and social media is a great way to showcase your work, and using digital tools can significantly improve your efficiency. 

Also, find what works for you. Look out for your most productive moments and leverage them. For Delano, that is waking up early. “I feel that I can get so much done before work starts,” he says to me.

Never stop learning.

Never.

“The moment you get comfortable, you miss out on innovation.” 

Also, don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know. “I believe that if I don’t know how to do something, it is honest and empowering to say; listen, I don’t know how to do this, and even if I lose out because I don’t have the skillset, this is just another opportunity for me to learn,” Delano says

Be Imaginative.

The only limits are those you set for yourself, so don’t be afraid to think up bold and fantastic ideas and solutions. Two decades ago, who could have predicted streaming or cryptocurrency? They are all imagination made into reality, so don’t be afraid to dream. Who knows, you might just pioneer a new field and make millions on the process.

Persevere.

This is perhaps the most crucial advice Delano has for anyone who hopes to turn their passion into a career. “Perseverance, the willingness to learn, and the ability to put your ego aside” are some of the most important traits you’ll need to succeed. It’s not going to be easy, and life will repeatedly blast your efforts in the bud, but if you persevere, you can learn from your mistakes and build back better every time.

Conclusion.

You can have it all. 

A job you love that pays the bills with a bit left over for a vacation or two. 

It’s not going to be easy, but if you’re ready to put in the work and apply these tips, you might just get the chance to thank Delano Myers in person while on vacation in the Cayman Islands.

Follow Delano Myers on Instagram.