Your best skill and the one in most demand. Use that as the anchor. In the hand metaphor this is your ‘thumb’. Then look at the other things you could do, and would want to give your time and talent to. Try to have a portfolio of a few job/income/talent- activities.
Getting down to the basics of constructing a portfolio is often the hardest part for people who have made the decision. It need not be. The most successful portfolios usually consist of three elements.
Getting down to the basics of constructing a portfolio is often the hardest part for people who have made the decision. It need not be. The most successful portfolios usually consist of three elements.
The first is to do, or to continue to do one of the things you are best qualified for and within a field in which you have a track record. So if you have been a teacher, but no longer want to work at this full time, negotiate a new position where you can work part time, or use your teaching skills in an area where there is greater flexibility. If you are a banker, or stockbroker or architect or dentist or whatever, redefine your working contract to do it in such a way that you have space in your life for other things. This may mean sacrificing some portion of your income, but not necessarily. There are many examples of people who end up making more money as a freelance consultant to their erstwhile companies, than they did when they were working full time. A short term contract could be equally lucrative. Without having to pay for employment costs such as pension fund contributions, medical aid group life insurance etc. companies pay good money for the specialist skill of a contract employee. Many people already have the makings of a portfolio life, combining some significant outside activity with their full time jobs. They may be invested in property development or game farming or having a share in a restaurant or anything else which has interested them and has lead them to make an investment. Some people have been writing for newspapers or have done part time lecturing at a business school, or have become advisors to family and friends on investment. Any of these are viable elements for a well balanced portfolio life.
The second element is to focus on something that will use your latent or unused desires and preferences. These are often of a more escapist nature. Some people long to write a book, or become actively involved in nature conservation, or want to dabble on the stock exchange, but don’t know how to go about it. They don’t know how to turn an interest into a meaningful and paying job-stream. The key here is to find the facilitating spring-board that will enable them to turn some or other passion into a skill for which there is a demand in the market. This often is a part-time course at a college or business school. Or it may be some other practical training program such as one for amateur game rangers or brick layers or interior decorators. Joining the professional society of the subject you are interested in also kick-starts this element. If Archaeology is what you would like to do, join the Archaeology association, or the pilots association, or the guild of writers or the institute of directors or any other institution which will enable you to learn and develop your identity in the chosen field. Start associating with people who are already successfully at work there. You may not be able to earn money from this at the outset, but it will come.
The third element of a sound portfolio, and also, coincidently, Step Four in the development of a life as a portfolio professional, is encapsulated in the concept of “giving something back” This may be volunteering for a chosen charity or working for an NGO which supports a cause which is close to your heart. Many people have the desire to “make a difference” somewhere, and giving your time and your skill to a worthwhile cause can become a very satisfying aspect of your portfolio. Such a commitment is a major contributor, not only to your portfolio, but to your own emotional health and well being. Make a list of possible charities or causes which may interest you and then do much research to find out which one may enable you to make the best contribution. Many registered charities need the management skills of professional business people and welcome non-executive directors or other volunteers in their organizations.
Becoming a coach or a mentor fulfils a particular need not only in your life, but obviously in the life of the person who you are coaching or mentoring. Many institutions now offer training to those wanting to be coaches, and this is an excellent way of showing gratitude for a good working life and the success of your career, in any field.
Back to the five steps
Back to the five steps
