We spot them every day – news anchors, construction workers, sales clerks, artists, authors, and even professional athletes. So, how does that news anchor find an outlet to the Vancouver Olympics, living out his/her dream job? The steps are simple, and it takes just a few moments to realize what you were “made for”.
First, ask yourself the perfect question to push the bouncy ball of indecision into motion: What do I love to do? And, after you ask yourself that question, realize the first thing that comes to mind. It might be writing, or teleprompting, or even selling dog food. Whatever your answer, make sure it’s something that energizes you, something that you are able to do, and something that is your passion.
Second, does it meet your needs? Many people love what they do, but they cannot meet their needs when it comes to making the right amount of money to support themselves. Find out the prospective job’s dividends. Then, compare those numbers to your monthly budget and what you need to survive and thrive. Upon discovering your needs and your wants, you will be surprised at how many opportunities are out there waiting for your application.
Third, can you grow in this field? Let’s say that an employer picks up your application at a gardening store. This store is of private ownership, and you can end up as a manager at best, earning $25,000 a year. If your first aspirations were to become the owner of a chain of gardening stores, then this would not be the correct place for you. So, learn about the environment of your field, in what place you will be planted, and how you can climb the ladder of success within your passion. This being said, you will most likely have to start at a lower rung of the ladder, but don’t be discouraged because if you go into a field pertaining to your passion, “time flies when you’re having fun”.
Fourth, does the job push you? What if you go into the field of sales, but the only thing you end up doing is sitting in a cubicle, pushing pens and filling out papers? Despite being of good pay and benefits, it doesn’t take much effort to do that kind of job; thus, you would become bored, tired, and sorely disappointed. You should want a healthy challenge when it comes to work. (Let’s not go back to that shuddersome cubicle.)
Fifth, does it fit with your values? After looking into the environment that you desire, the money you will make, the growth you will undergo, and the challenges you will overcome, think about your values, your morals – what makes you unique. For instance, if you are a proponent of the rainforest and the environment, then you don’t want to go into construction. But, on a larger scale, remember that your job will mesh with your values. Have you ever heard it said, “You are what you think”? Well, rumor has it that your thoughts become your actions, which become your character, which becomes your life, which becomes you.
So, pick a profession that becomes you very well, and have fun doing it! Pursue a career that you really desire, and do a little research to see if it fits your needs, growth wants, challenge drive, and values.
