I’m a college dropout with a seven-figure writing business, and in ten years of owning a writing agency, the amount of college grads we hire has steadily decreased. Instead, we’ve discovered that the self-employed freelancer has more to offer our online writing team than the candidates with all the college degrees.

These four L’s provide a roadmap for anyone looking to reinvent oneself and move from passion to business without incurring needless debt.

The road to take

For two semesters of schooling, the typical in-state college student spends $25,615 each year.

Is that money being spent wisely? I don’t believe it is.

Knowing how to develop a real skill set is more vital than having a college diploma. After all, it’s your talent and talents that will get you a good job.

Follow these four steps to develop a solid, money-making skill-based profession.

1. Love what you do

Discovering your passion is the first step on the road to success. What drives you to get out of bed every day?

To be truly successful in your work, you must enjoy what you do and look forward to doing it every day. Passion may be a powerful motivator. It assists you in achieving your objectives, increasing your productivity, and making your job more fun.

When you’re enthusiastic about your job, you’ll continue to strive for excellence, generate new ideas, and solve more challenges.

Finding your true calling is crucial to laying the groundwork for a successful career.

2. Learn all you can

You should map your mission to a real skill and become an expert after you’ve recognized it. Take advantage of any and all opportunities to learn that come your way. You may become a top authority in your profession and set yourself apart from the competition by expanding your knowledge. People will see you as someone who adds value and will see you as a trustworthy source of knowledge.

There are two basic approaches to learning: unconventional and conventional. Learning from other professionals in your field is an example of unconventional learning. Those who have already been in the trenches and gathered the knowledge they require to succeed. These real-life skill masters are mentors who place a premium on creating connections, connecting with their followers, and providing actionable advice.

Local universities, community colleges, and libraries provide traditional learning through free or low-cost resources for community enrichment. Workshops, courses, and seminars are excellent ways to broaden your knowledge in your industry.

Before you go, do some preliminary research on the instructors and classes. You want to learn from competent specialists who have a track record of accomplishment in their field.

3. Labor in practice

Building a long-term business takes a lot of effort, but it also needs a lot of guts. Creating a profession you enjoy takes taking risks, making sacrifices, and taking a great leap of faith.

It’s a lot of early mornings and late evenings. It’s putting aside every penny you earn, quitting the comfort of an unfulfilling work, and leaping without a net. The good news is that it’s a labor of love, and the benefits you’ll inevitably receive will make all of your efforts worthwhile.

Getting experience is one of the best ways to prepare for your future job. The more you practice, the more you’ll have opportunities to learn and improve from both achievements and disappointments. Rather than putting your time and money into obtaining a college diploma, try investing them in gaining more real-world experience.

Take the plunge and use these strategies to expand your experience:

Engage: To obtain more hands-on experience, consider giving reduced services.
Practice: You don’t need real clients. Make up hypothetical circumstances and come up with answers for them.
Build: Record and exploit your expertise. Create marketing materials to begin promoting your services.
Overcome: Get rid of any doubts or concerns that are keeping you back. Take a chance and trust your instincts.
It’s unavoidable that you’ll have some successes and blunders along the route. Don’t be put off. Just keep moving forward.

You will become stronger as a result of everything you learn along the way.

4. Level up to stay on top of your game

Now that you’ve laid a firm foundation, it’s time to expand and charge more for your skills as you improve them. Take pleasure in what you’ve accomplished and own your ability.

This can be accomplished by accepting your role. Make your business cards, put your name on the door, and make it official on Facebook. Make it known to the rest of the world that you’re open for business. People will be more likely to hire you if you exude confidence, which will help you grow your following.

Hold your own by providing advise and help in your field of expertise. You’ve put in the time and effort, and you’re an expert in your field. Now, present yourself as the authority figure you are.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition in which a person believes that their success is the result of pure luck and that they are only pretending to be an expert. If you can, try to reframe your thinking and confront any feelings of inadequacy with a positive mindset.

To hold yourself accountable, set goals and deadlines. Small successes should be celebrated. Every victory, no matter how minor, is a step closer to your ultimate goal.

College isn’t the only way to achieve your goals.

College has a lot of advantages and might be a good path for certain people. However, a college diploma does not guarantee success, and it is not the sole route to a profitable profession.

Low-cost or free educational online possibilities, ranging from courses to workshops, are redefining how students and employers see college education.

Some companies, such as Tesla, dispute the usefulness of a college diploma and place a higher priority on abilities and talent. The most important thing is to never stop learning, whether you opt to pursue a college education or gain your skills through real-world experience.