(c) Photo by Megan Oswalt
By: Lana Perry
When you’re not spending long work hours on the career of your dreams, there’s a part of you that’s just never quite content. The world around you isn’t as bright, and your inner Glow is a little dim.
Despite how far away in Dreamland a career you’re in love with may seem right now, I’m here to tell you it’s actually more doable than you may think. In this three part series, “The Career You Wish You Had…Dream to Reality”, you’ll learn how to turn your thoughts about an amazing career into your reality. Part 1 is all about preparing yourself to pounce…
1. Define Your Passion
Obviously you won’t get very far if you aren’t pretty clear on what your passion is. Start with a general idea of what drives you and makes your heart do its happy-dance.
How: On paper or in your head, remind yourself what your passion is (you may have more than one). This should be a simple sentence or phrase. For those of you who are stumped here, I’ll be covering how to find your career passion in a few weeks on this blog.
Example: Several years ago, I realized I was super turned on by the written word and fully ignited when helping people accomplish something. That was my starting point.
2. Broaden Your Path
Once you zero in on what kind of career gets you off, don’t be afraid to expand it quite a bit. Just because you love working with animals doesn’t mean being a vet is the best way to live out your dream. If you aren’t thinking widely enough, you might miss something great.
How: Take your career passion phrase from the first step and make a list of the various types of careers, roles and businesses endeavors that are related to what you love.
Example: Although I knew I loved writing and helping people, it was important that I broadened my path or I would never have ended up here. By broadening, I’ve explored psychology, artist management, journalism, operations management, novel writing, public relations, all kinds of things, until the best application of my desires unveiled itself.
3. Get Your Thoughts Right
Okay, without getting too mumbo-jumbo…let me say this: If you really want this to happen, you have to actively focus your thoughts in a way that will open you up to opportunity.
How: Whether that means meditating, praying, thinking in the shower, journaling, whatever works for you – you need to start putting your desires out into the universe or to higher power in order to get a return. And start visualizing which is more powerful than I ever realized…I’ll talk more about that in a future post.
Example: A few years ago, I decided to figure out how to harness the power of manifesting the kind of life I want for myself simply through thoughts*, meditation and vision boards – so far it’s working fabulously, no complaints here! Now days I’m a career, weight loss and life coach…and a writer on those subjects for the blog you’re reading. I also have a super flex, work-from-home marketing copy writing gig. Score!
In Part 2 of “The Career You Wish You Had…Dream to Reality”, we’ll talk start taking serious action…read about it it here!
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* Although the theory of manifesting is far from new, the best seller “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne does a good job of summing up the purpose and methodology behind this life changing skill.
My dream job is to create/sell/provide products that enhance not only my life, but the life of others I meet and watch those who’ve invested time or money with me flourish in the discovery there true selves!
Anarnia, it sounds like you may have nailed it! Sounds connected to what actually drives you, you’ve narrowed it down to something product related, but you’ve kept it broad enough to ensure that anything is possible in meeting that goal! Good work, girl. Part 2 coming soon!
I agree with Nina… My passion is to also create/sell/expand and just be consumed with my passion, love what I do. Reading part 1 has opened me up and got me motivated to start my working toward my dream career step by step. Thanks Lanabear!
So great to hear, Natalie — that was the goal! xo