How successful will you be if you try to have an optional second career?

What is "an optional second career"? A job you take less because of the money than because it's an area you want to explore? An avocation you do passionately because you love it? A job you take to make lots of money? A job you take to hedge your bets if the career you're focused on doesn't work out? Happy to answer whichever question it is you're asking!

Hi Ashley,

I think this is a great question and it shows me that you are thinking dynamically about your career path. I think that an optional second career can be stimulating for you if it is approached and managed well. Depending upon what the demands are of your primary career and how engaged you need to be in your optional second career it could be very manageable. However, you don't want to "burn the candle at both ends" and end up feeling that you are not effective at either one. At the same time, if the second career gives you a different perspective on things and you find that it keeps you from getting mired in the "mundane" of your primary career I think it could be very beneficial to you. Try not to think of one as a "fall back" for the other because that may lead to devaluing one of them. In my opinion, it all boils down to your approach and where you are with your life. I have always valued the advice I was once given - Your key to success is to remember that it is about "Life Planning and Career Development" not the other way around. Best of luck to you.