Comments on: Are You in Your Dream Job?

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:53:12 +0000

Hi, I’m still looking for my dream job. I’m a lawyer with a passion for (and qualifications and experience in) Natural Health and Holistic Beauty therapy. My CV obviously doesnt fit in anywhere because I want to do the two togethher somehow.

I guess I’ll have to create my dream job and run my empire with anyone interested in sharing my dreams. Phew!

Any ideas?

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:56:48 +0000

Good point, Shirley. It seems as though people are awfully quick to point out what’s NOT possible, forgetting that the people who made the most impact on human history focused on what IS possible.

Nice blog, too!

By: Shirley

Shirley — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:10:27 +0000

I have rarely talked to a person who didn’t want to have fun and enjoy their job – only people who didn’t believe it was possible.

I am now searching for new options and careers myself. Above all, I started my own blog to fight the overwhelming negativity I see around me. Thanks for your clear and thoughtful articles. Keep them up!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:12:51 +0000

I’m in my dream job(s) as well — combination of self-employed sign language interpreter & working for Kim & Jason here & there – what can be better?! I love it! But I have to point to my dad as my first source of inspiration on this, my dad is a farmer – always was, always will be – and loved it! Never regretted it a day, even though there were many a days he would have rather not had to go outside in the subzero weather to make sure the livestock were taken care of, water mains frozen, etc. That was part of the dream job – it wasn’t easy, but my dad wouldn’t trade a lifetime to do it different. He always says ‘do something you love, regardless of how much money you make.’ Now, he didn’t mean to not make a living to support yourself/family, but at the same time, if anyone understands the challenges of living your dream & persisting at it, my dad falls at the top of the category with Kim & Jason.

By: Escape Adulthood » How Dare Oprah Winfrey!

Escape Adulthood » How Dare Oprah Winfrey! — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:36:29 +0000

[…] I recently posed the question: Are you in your dream job? A few people responded that they were, but I imagine most people fall into the majority of people — 80% according to a Careerbuilder.com survey — are still looking for their dream job. People give many reasons why they are not in their dream job: lack of skills, lack of opportunity, too young, too old… the list goes on and on. Is it too idealistic to expect that everyone could have a job they love? A public speaking and presentation skills coach named Lisa added a comment to the previously mentioned post, saying: I was accused once of being an elitist for saying that everyone should have a job they love. For people who have language barriers, disabilities, lack of skills, etc., it might be hard to get those dream jobs, because they have fewer opportunities available to them. […]

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:05:32 +0000

Lisa, you make a great point. I don't think that believing everyone should have a job they love is elitist at all! In fact, if somebody believes that someone else can't be in a job they love because they have language barriers, disabilities, or lack of skills...well, I'd say that person is an elitist!

By: Lisa B.

Lisa B. — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:48:30 +0000

I am definitely in my dream job, and I created it myself, which is the best kind!

I was accused once of being an elitist for saying that everyone should have a job they love. For people who have language barriers, disabilities, lack of skills, etc., it might be hard to get those dream jobs, because they have fewer opportunities available to them. I understand that point of view.

But I still believe that “taking what you can get” doesn’t have to be a permanent way of life, if you’re willing/able to do the work and make the sacrifices that are necessary to EVENTUALLY have your dream job. In fact, I know several people with developmental disabilities who are making their dream jobs reality.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 22:11:28 +0000

Well said, Marilyn. Great perspective!

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:43:55 +0000

I would have to point to my husband as someone who is in his dream job. As you know, we own a men’s clothing store, which I’m sure would be pretty far down on most people’s lists of fun jobs. But he enjoys himself so much and is so great to watch on the selling floor as he shows someone (quite likely a guy dragged in by his wife) how good he’s going to look and how many compliments he’s going to get. Before you know it, the guy is getting into it and having as good a time as Jim. The drawback to him loving his job so much is that I’ll never get him to retire ;) Also, our younger son, who’s in college, was supposed to say who his hero was for a particular class. He said he couldn’t think of anyone so the professor had him list what qualities would define a hero. Jake said after he did that, “I decided Dad was my hero, because he started with nothing and worked hard and has made a great life for himself that he’s really happy with.” Which makes for the biggest and best dream job; that of a parent who’s appreciated and loved.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:12:35 +0000

Tony,
Glad to hear there’s at least one other person in the world who is in their dream job. I always knew I’d do something with art, but I’m glad I didn’t settle for a standard staff job designing newsletters or web sites. A little imagination and faith helped me find something that incorporates a good number of my talents.

Kim,
I bet you’re right that all of those dolphin trainers love their jobs. It’s also interesting to note that a job like that most likely required quite a bit of schooling and effort. I (and I would imagine many people), often forget all of the hard work and sacrifice that goes into a job that looks so fun on the surface. I guess that just underlines the idea that dream jobs don’t just land in your lap.

Guy,
I can’t attest to your laziness (is your wife available for comment? ;) ) However, every time I flip through cable on a Saturday, it seems like there are quite a few people getting paid to fish every day. Not exactly sure how one gets that gig, though…

By: Guy

Guy — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:09:26 +0000

Maybe I’m just horribly lazy, but dream and job aren’t two words I often put together. I usually dream I was wealthy without having to work for it.

On the other hand, I suppose if I could get paid to fish every day, I’d take that job. If nothing else, I guess my family wouldn’t starve.
Guy~

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:07:16 +0000

I spent yesterday morning at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys. I can bet that most of the trainers working there love their jobs. You can tell by how they interacted with the dolphins. They did everything with so much joy and enthusiasm. My mom even commented on how the trainers seemed to love what they were doing! You don’t come across that very often.

By: Tony D. Clark

Tony D. Clark — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:19:46 +0000

Great stuff, Jason – as usual. I’m fortunate to be in my dream job (jobs?) too. Drawing pictures, writing, and talking people into following their dreams is a great gig, if you can get it. :)