We’re All Awesome at *Something*

You know those people who say you can make money doing *anything* as long as you’re passionate about it?  Well, I’m one of those people :) But even more so when you’re actually GOOD at whatever it is you enjoy! Haha…

Check out this list I put together 8-9 months ago that was hiding in my draft emails (oops).  I asked folks on Twitter & Facebook what they’re really good at, and the results were pretty fun:

  • I’m really good at helping my friends find great clothes when shopping. Kind of like a freelance, unpaid version of Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear! – Annabelle
  • I am awesome at Trivial Pursuit. Seriously I am the Queen of Useless Knowledge! – Liz M.
  • I’m really good at photographing women with tattoos :) – Jeff
  • I’m really awesome at being a friend. That’s something I’ve grown to appreciate as I’ve gotten older. I try to be the friend I want to have, and I’m proud of that. :) – K. Johnson
  • I am awesome at baking bread. – Cindy
  • I am awesome at public speaking. – Marilyn Wons
  • I’m awesome at captivating groups and making them laugh. – Josh
  • I’m awesome at getting people to take a step back and look at the bigger picture in almost any situation which benefits them95% of the time. – sexyslimmai
  • I’m awesome at motivating and enabling people to run. (That is, if they have any interest in the first place! That’s always the biggest hurdle) –  Frances
  • I’m awesome at comforting a crying baby. – Mami2jcn
  • I’m very good at finding answers to questions/random information. Which is a good thing, since I’m a librarian, and that’s pretty much my job. – Maggie
  • I am awesome at baking vegan cupcakes. You’ll never eat one with eggs and dairy again! – Cate
  • I am an amazing parallel parker. – Allison
  • I am awesome at making homemade blackberry jam — FRUGAL jam, made with on-sale sugar and berries picked for free, and preserved in jars from the thrift store. I have the scratches on my arms to prove it and the purple under my fingernails to prove it. – Donna Freedman
  • I am awesome at teaching guitar. That is not the same thing as being awesome at playing guitar. – Mary Beth Elderton
  • I’m awesome at making excuses. In the future I hope to be awesome at NOT making excuses. :-) – Jen @ Master the Art of Saving

So first, never think you’re not good at anything – cuz you are!  You just gotta figure out *what* it is, exactly.  And then if it’s something you can charge for and/or do on the side without driving yourself nutso (that is, if you even want to parlay it into a money-making venture to begin with).  This is what all those Side Hustlers do who we feature on this blog every month. They turned their hobbies/interests into something that generates a little cash on the side for them. It’s sexy.

If you haven’t asked yourself what you’re awesome at lately, stop for a second and do it right now! Here, just fill out this sentence and drop it into the comments:

“I am awesome at __________. And I could maybe do ____ to make money with it.”

Profess those skills loud and proud, baby!

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Photo by Evil Erin

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38 Comments

  1. William @ Drop Dead Money January 14, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    Well, I’m awesome at pontificating. Now if I could figure out a way to make some money from that, I’d be set. Maybe something like a hat in front of me saying “$1 to shut me up”

    My wife says I should call it the skill of teaching and see where that gets me. Way back when I taught accounting people would bring their boyfriends and girlfriends… to an accounting class!

    Reply
  2. Lance @ Money Life and More January 14, 2013 at 7:13 AM

    I’m awesome at accounting and I could maybe do taxes on the side to make EXTRA money from it (accounting is my job). Unfortunately, accounting isn’t exactly a passion so unless I’m desperate I doubt I’ll do it.

    Reply
  3. AverageJoe January 14, 2013 at 7:29 AM

    I’m awesome at singing in the shower. I could create a Karaoke service that comes with a portable shower so others who are awesome shower-singers could feel comfortable.

    Ha! Great topic, J. I’m great at financial planning. If I had the desire, I could go back and take on clients again or sell mortgages or anything financial-related and I think I’d make good moolah.

    Reply
  4. J. Delancy January 14, 2013 at 8:30 AM

    I’m awesome at procrastinating! In fact, I’d planned to write this comment two hours ago but got kinda distracted.

    Reply
  5. Terah@The Credit Report Chick January 14, 2013 at 8:44 AM

    I am awesome at helping people fix their credit. And I could maybe do credit repair on the side to make money with it.

    Reply
  6. Megan January 14, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Fun Post!

    I’m awesome at helping small business owners figure out their market and niche and grow their operations – but that’s my day job…

    So as a back up: I’m awesome at connecting people with each-other – maybe I could start a recruiting company…

    Reply
  7. Akiyo @KitchenPenguin January 14, 2013 at 10:06 AM

    I am awesome at catering parties for my friends. And maybe I can start charging for labor to make money from it. I WILL have my own catering company one day. But first, finish culinary school to hone my skills, get more experience, learn purchasing/management, and build up my confidence.

    Do you still have the PO box? I’ll send you cookies.

    Reply
  8. Jen @ Master the Art of Saving January 14, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Lol I totally forgot about this. :-) Thanks for including me in the list.

    Now, if only I could figure out how to make money from my impressive skill…

    Reply
  9. Jacob @ iheartbudgets January 14, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    I’m awesome at drumming, and could probably teach drum lessons for some extra cash. Unfortunately, I already have 3 jobs :P

    I’m also awesome at finding deals on craigslist, specifically on cars. Also awesome at watching Nicholas Cage movies…

    Reply
  10. Edward Antrobus January 14, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    I’m awesome at procrastinating. If there was ever a competition for it, I’m sure I’d win.

    My big passion is reading, and I am very good at it. Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue how to turn reading YA Fantasy into a side hustle. :(

    Reply
  11. Kathy January 14, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    I am awesome at organizing other people. And I really don’t want to make money at it at this point. Maybe that will change in the future.

    Reply
  12. Dr. Sheba January 14, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    I am awesome at math, singing, photography, and proofreading. And I could maybe put more effort in them and take it more seriously to make money from it.

    Reply
  13. Grayson @ Debt Roundup January 14, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    I am awesome at figuring out solutions to problems. They created a position for me at work because I was doing so much problem solving on the side of my regular job that they wanted me to focus on it full time. I enjoy finding solutions.

    Reply
  14. John S @ Frugal Rules January 14, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    I would say procrastinating, but really CAN you make money doing that?? ;) I love to problem solve and finding solutions in order to make things more efficient. I am hoping to add a consulting side to our business in order to make money off of it.

    Reply
  15. Cat January 14, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    I’m awesome at being super organized!

    Reply
  16. debtgirl January 14, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    At JDelancy, ROTF! funny stuff.

    I am awesome at reading blogs.

    Reply
  17. Melanie January 14, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    I’m awesome at making pretty invitations, forms, and documents… Oh, and cutting out friends faces to fit in Robocop or Poison pictures, using not so sophisticated software like Word and Publisher. :)

    I’ve been looking for an I Am Awesome Party – thanks for throwing it, J!

    Reply
  18. SavvyFinancialLatina January 14, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    I’m awesome at finding deals….maybe that’s why I am in purchasing?? Not the same though. I would rather be purchasing clothes or textiles…dream job :)

    Reply
  19. TeacHer January 14, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    I’m sorry I missed this on Twitter because I totally have one: I’m awesome at writing nastygrams. You know, “strong” emails to companies that have wronged me in some way. I’m really, really good at getting free stuff or discounts for airing my righteous indignation. My brother suggested I start a business writing nastygrams for others!

    Reply
  20. Slackerjo January 14, 2013 at 8:01 PM

    I am awesome at making small spaces big, mostly with shelving. I am awesome at making shelves out of anything (usually from the garbage) except people may note that my interpretation of ‘awesome’ is really ‘obsessed.’

    Reply
  21. J. Money January 14, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    Thanks for playing along everyone, this was fun to see :)

    @William @ Drop Dead Money – HAH! Nice use of “pontificating” – haven’t heard that one since the SATs ;)

    @Lance @ Money Life and More – Ooooh I smell a new website though! BloggerTaxes.com, haha…

    @AverageJoe – Nice! I suck at singing in the shower :) But I am good at *THINKING* in there. Most of my business epiphanies show up while I’m scrubbing to the point I stop paying attention and can’t remember if I’ve washed up or not! Haha… so I always have to go back and do it again just in case ;)

    @J. Delancy – Bah dum ching.

    @Terah@The Credit Report Chick – Yeah you can! Especially if you can gain their trust – that’s the hardest part in that industry I feel like – too many shady ones out there ruining it for the good ones :(

    @Megan – Awesome!! I’m all about connecting people too – one of my favorite things to do actually! And something social media helps a LOT with… Maybe I’ll hire you one day though for business talks ;)

    @Akiyo @KitchenPenguin – Nice!! I happen to be obsessed with cookies :) Shoot me an email and I’ll pass it along when it’s time: j @ budgets are sexy . com

    @Jen @ Master the Art of Saving – Haha yeah, I almost forgot about this too! Good thing Gmail allows drafts ;)

    @Jacob @ iheartbudgets – OMG that’s too funnny… and probably SHOULD be a skill watching Nick Cage – I can’t bare some of them! (Though my fave? “Face.. off….” So crazy!)

    @Edward Antrobus – Haha yeah, neither do I… unless you’re awesome at writing and marketing your own books? :)

    @Kathy – Well no shame in that, my friend. *Knowing yourself* is highly important too!

    @Dr. Sheba – Wow, that’s a lot. I’m impressed!

    @Grayson @ Debt Roundup – How cool! I bet you love it too – I get that way with trying to figure out how to code web pages…. Spent 8+ hours this weekend redesigning the face of TakeOurStuff.com and learned about 10 new things in the process, it was great. Especially when you can physically SEE your accomplishments too ;) Another reason I used to love graphic design so much…

    @John S @ Frugal Rules – Yes, love it. Especially when you really enjoy it!

    @Cat – That’s a good skill to have!

    @debtgirl – You’re awesome at leaving comments on them too ;)

    @Melanie – Haha, anytime! Maybe I should get a Poison/J. Money picture as a reward? :)

    @SavvyFinancialLatina – I bet :) At least you can save yourself money with all your personal shopping though!

    @TeacHer – OMG YES!! Or at least post templates online for all us to use and love you forever for ;) That would be dope… I knew I loved you.

    @Slackerjo – Ooooooh I dig that though… I’d totally let you come over and build me up some sexy shelving! And I’d pay you handsomely with food and/or beer and/or wine too – whatever you wish! :)

    Reply
  22. Financial Black Sheep January 14, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    I am good at making people mad at me. Does that count? HAHAHA I don’t know what it is, but I can make people think I am arguing in a second. Maybe I could fire people for money.
    I’m just having some fun…

    Reply
    1. J. Money January 16, 2013 at 12:43 PM

      Or run for office ;)

      Reply
  23. Tushar @ Everything Finance January 14, 2013 at 11:29 PM

    I think that the challenge is, simply, that it’s really hard to find the things you are good at, if it’s not obvious to everyone around you. It’s even harder to make money from it. But you are right, everyone is good at something, and it should be evident.

    Reply
  24. maria@moneyprinciple January 15, 2013 at 4:19 AM

    I am awesome at research, analysis and writing and could probably write a naughty novel using these skills (seeing that at the moment naughty novels have moved into the mainstream). But my spelling really sucks!

    Reply
    1. J. Money January 16, 2013 at 12:42 PM

      OW OW!! DO it!!! That would be hot ;)

      Reply
  25. Suzanne January 16, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    I’m awesome at cooking a delicious meal and matching a nice bottle of wine to go with it (not expensive wine). One of my passions is wine – I would love to create a wine group where 4-6 couples get together every other month for a wine tasting and food. Could be a good side business but I’d rather do it for fun :)

    Reply
  26. J. Money January 17, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Ooooh awesome! That’s something I’d LOVE to be more fluent in actually – knowing the ins and outs of wine, and what to look for/pair things with etc. If you ever start a blog or anything on it one day please let me know! It’ll help me be more of a finer gentlemen ;)

    Reply
  27. Punky Coletta January 18, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Hmmm. I am going to have to think about this one. It is inspiring to read everyone else’s. Sometimes I think I am good at comforting others no matter what, and I think of a documentary I saw once about a woman who hugged people for a living, and in a totally non-dirty way. I wonder how she got that job. . . I’ll look into it.

    Reply
  28. J. Money January 21, 2013 at 3:52 PM

    HAH! That’s pretty cool – I’d like to find out how that’s possible too :) I’d love to hug people for a living! Haha… maybe she got paid for the documentary?

    Reply
  29. Catherine January 23, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    I’m also awesome at finding great deals.. persistence? I also bake a pretty amazing chocolate chip cookie :)

    Reply
  30. J. Money January 24, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Your deal finding skills already pay you handsomely! :)

    Reply
  31. Justin McClelland January 25, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    It can be surprising what specialized skill of yours that you’ve been sitting on which people would pay you for. I have to constantly remind myself of this.

    Reply
  32. J. Money January 25, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    Yeah dude! Loved your last post on your site too – “6 sneaky ways to work your side-hustle at work, without getting fired,” haha… that’s dope. Nice seeing you here, man :)

    Reply
  33. MomCents July 8, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    I’m awesome at math —- all the way up to Calculus…..maybe I could tutor.
    I’m awesome at planning events and keeping track of the details…but I don’t know if I would like being an event planner and dealing with *other* people’s events….

    Reply
    1. J. Money July 9, 2014 at 11:40 AM

      Both good skills to have!

      The beauty with all of this is that you can test out and give ’em a shot, and then if you don’t like it either tweak and try again or move on to the next idea. You don’t need any “real” business stuff set up these days to get side gigs going (ie business cards, biz plan, storefront, etc). You just start telling people you do it and see what happens! If you get a bite, you go from there and do your best work possible.

      Reply
  34. Richard Anthony July 13, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    I’m a past master at spotting good ideas vs. bad ideas. The idea of appraising your strengths and accentuating your positives is always a good idea.

    Reply
    1. J. Money July 15, 2014 at 12:04 PM

      Yup! And even better so if you *take action* afterwards ;)

      Reply

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