Dream job vs. Reality…

When I was a little girl my dream job was to be an astronaut when I grow up. The idea of going to the moon and space really excited me. As I grow older that idea vanished. I realized I didn’t like physics and mathematics as much.

In college I studied Labor Relations with the intention to enter Law School, but after few months working in my dad’s law firm I realized that wasn’t for me. I also studied Psychology to learn more about myself and others, but then I realized I didn’t want to spend my lifetime trying to fix people’s life.

When I graduated from college I was completely lost in what to do with my professional life and also the recession crawl in 2007. I took a couple administrative jobs and while I enjoyed my financial freedom without studying, this opportunities were not fulfilling. I decided to go back to school and did my Masters Degree in something I enjoy, writing. So, you will think I find my dream job after the degree? No, I did not. That’s why I have this blog. This blog is something I do on the side and really fulfills me, even though I don’t get paid.

What happened? Reality knocks my door. My parents don’t help financially since I’m 24 (I’m 28-2013) and I’ve realized I needed to paid the bills and be an adult. I’ve spent months thinking on how to do something besides writing and studying, but nothing really came up and I had to do something else in the meantime.  I took a few jobs in luxury sales and that is working for me right now, even if is not my passion.

“There are many clichés about this. That if you choose a job you like, or choose a job in which studied, etc… There are many options as to people to ask about this. My experience has been that often opportunities don’t get you to choose, instead the open doors that comes your way. Will be that ‘gut feeling’ that you are going to feel and you will have the last word.”, said by Manuel Rivera, my dad and lawyer for more than 30 years.

Dream job for me:

Not working and traveling the world while I write on this blog. haha! I’m kidding, but I wish. I really do enjoy working, especially if I have this cover:

1. Flexible hours. I can check-in at any time and work any day, if I complete my job.
2. Dress a little more casual.
3. Have 4 weeks of vacations.
4. Travel a certain % of the time.
5. Having a great relationship with my co-workers.
6. That my job help, in some way, others.
7. A job that encourages, motivates, and don’t takes me for granted.
8. That I feel I will grow professionally and as a person.
9. Earn a decent amount of money that allows me to save for: travel, entertainment, emergency, 401K and among other things.
10. And a job that I will be eager to work everyday because I feel valuable to the company, to others and myself.

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” by Vince Lombardi

Reality

Just less than 30 percent of workers land their dream job, or work in some related field, according to a recent LinkedIn survey of about 8,000 professionals. The top dream jobs for American men were pilot, scientist and professional or Olympic athlete, according to the survey. American women hoped to become teachers, vets or writers.

According to Sylvia Ann Hewlett, an economist who studies female career trajectories, women are stretched in even more directions than that; she and her collaborators at the Center for Talent Innovation studied the motivations of men and women at work and found that while men’s primary incentives are relatively simple—money and power—women are motivated by seven discrete factors. “It’s not just time for family. Women want meaning and purpose in their work. They value great colleagues. They also like to give back to society in terms of the work they do, some healing of the planet, and they want flexibility, which is not the same as family stuff—it’s so that they can have a life,” said Hewlett. “Women have much more complex goals, but they also do want money and power. They recognize you’re likely to have much more control over your life if you have those.”

It is the individual’s personality, character and mental attitudes towards their work and their outlook upon life that will get the job done, but the reality will always be real when struggling to find what you love and paying the bills. So, what we can do to find a good balance. Here is the answer:

Accept your present job and love it

Having a strong positive relationship with your present job does not necessarily mean that you will have to permanently adhere to that job for the rest of your life, or for a long period. In fact, you can get into any reputable business if you prefer, and acquire the income you must and live the life you want to live. Have in mind, you must do the necessary work of making yourself notable and worthy to enter that business and start prospering. No one starts from the top from the first day… time and patience is required. So, accept your present job and love it, and let hate disappear. There is no shame in loving and taking pride in your work, and be proud you have a job to go to because it just makes the world feel right.

I’m not saying here to give up on your dream job, but that you come to realize that sometimes things like this take time and you need to keep a positive outlook about this process. Also, you are not alone even if you feel like you are. I know a lot of brilliant people looking for a job that makes them feel “I’ve made it”in the meantime they are working hard to get there.

Eventually, opportunities will come and we can’t give up until we have them. In the meantime, let’s embrace the other good things we have in life. Even if the bills are piling up, we’re going to be alright.

“Find a joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home…it’s your responsibility to love it or change it” . by Chuck Palahniuk

Here’s to have a positive outlook at life! Cheers 🙂

xoxo,
Cristina

Read more about this topic: 

Why the hustle mentality doesn’t work anymore 

Creative Jobs Versus Financial Stability – Is Creative Ambition Enough to Get Financial Stability – ELLE