Do you think you are above having to work a ‘real’ job to tide you over while you work your plan? Try to find a job within your industry (for an actor, it could be a behind the scenes job, for a dancer it might be assisting the choreographer or teaching kids to dance, for an author it could be writing ad copy or reporting for the local newspaper).  That way you can hone your skills and make contacts while getting paid.

Meanwhile you don’t have to put your creativity on hold. You can make any job more creative, interesting, lively or varied. Read during the slow times at the hotel desk. As long as you make sure the results are excellent, you can do it your way.

Teach what you know. Who would pay you for what you know? When you’re starting out, think of community groups, small businesses, local publications – they are all on tight budgets, and most are willing to let you learn while you earn.

Don’t quit your day job when you are first starting a freelance business. Take a leave or absence or go to partime or switch your hours but hang on to those benefits and that regular paycheck as long as you can.

Don’t use all your creative energy on you day job so that you are so drained when you get home that you cannot create. If you slave away all day, have something for  your ‘real’ creative career.