Ask Laura: Dreamier Jobs Are Out There

Every Thursday, Ask Laura answers a question from readers. Got a question? You can submit it here.

Dear Laura,

I’ve got a decent job–nothing I hate, nothing I’m stuck in, but it’s not my DREAM job. There are components of what I do that I like but there are dreamier jobs out there. I’m just not sure how to figure out what they are or how to find them.

-Just a Dreamer

Dear Dreamer,

I’m glad you have a decent job. It’s tough economic times, and it can be scary to have a decent job AND imagine that there might be something else out there calling your name. It sounds like you’re standing on a border: not ready to leave your current job, but ready to start exploring what a dream job is.

So let’s enter this Territory of Exploration.

First, take advantage of the fact that you’ve got a decent job that will pay your bills and that isn’t sapping your emotional and mental energy. Use this sweet situation as a launching pad for your Exploration Adventure.

I invite you to explore what a “dreamier job” would be. Before you start scouring job ads, before you start looking for mentors, before you start reading What Colour is Your Parachute (for example), I want you to dream.

Settle back in the most dreamy place you know. (During Toronto winters, I like to do my dreaming at the Allen Gardens Conservatory.)

Let all the logistics, the “what-if”s, the “I-could-never”s take a break.

Send them on vacation for today.

And dream.

Dream about:

• What gifts do I dream of bringing to the world?
• What type of people do I dream of being surrounded by?
• What salary do I dream of making?
• What do I dream of doing everyday?
• What do I dream of doing from time to time?
• What do I dream of feeling?
• What do I dream of being?
• What do I dream will bring me fun and joy?

Once you’ve spent some time dreaming, then–armed with your dreams–you can venture out into fact-finding and data-gathering.

For you, Dreamer, or anyone else playing with a question of dream career or vocation, I know of a lovely little exercise from the book The Courage to Lead. I have a copy of the exercise and will happily send it to you. Just drop me a line.

Dream on.

Warmly,

Laura

Every Thursday, Ask Laura answers a question from readers. Got a question? You can submit it here. 

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