Most people aren’t working in their dream jobs. This could be due to a lot of reasons: dream jobs usually take a lot of time to develop, they usually don’t start with a steady paycheck, and hey – starting a dream job is just tough.
But don’t fall into any of these 3 traps for too long. Sure it’s tough, and money will be tight for a while, but don’t end your dream before it begins. Let’s talk about 3 ways to ruin your dream job before you even start working it.
1. It takes too much time…I’ll do it later
No you won’t. You won’t do it later. Later is age 47 with kids, 2 weeks of vacation a year, and a small retirement fund you always worry about.
There’s a very deceiving notion going around that combines truth and lies – since dream jobs take a long time to develop, I’ll just wait. Yes, they take time – but waiting almost ensures that you won’t do it. Massive endeavors like this take guts, they take effort, they take work, and they take time. But that doesn’t mean it’ll fall unexpectedly into your lap one Friday afternoon.
Instead, start making real plans and changes that will progress you further – stick to short term. Waiting for a 5 year plan to unfold probably won’t haven – heck, even a 1 year plan might be too much. Plan your route for the next 6 months, and reassess then.
2. I have to save up a fortune before I make the jump
No you don’t!
Look, dream jobs usually aren’t free. They usually require you to sacrifice a lot – a paycheck, job security, even your own serenity before you actually get any traction.
There is truth to this – yes, you need to save up. 3-6 months salary should be more than enough. But that’s it. You don’t need to plan for every contingency – you’re more resourceful than you think. You don’t need to have the next 2-3 years planned when you start your own business or finally take that trip – don’t let the fear of money ruin your dream job before it ever has a chance.
3. It’s too hard – I need to do a lot of research before I make any moves
Yes, you do. But no, it doesn’t have to take years of planning. A good few months should do it.
Let’s say you have enough money to last on your own for a few months, you’re passionate, and your idea is actually pretty good. Don’t pause everything just to plan for every foreseeable problem or worry yourself to death and stagnation in the name of “research.”
Dream jobs are tough. It’ll take time, money, and a whole lot of guts. But if you ever want to be your own boss, work on your own time, and do what you love, many successful entrepreneurs have proven this dream to be possible, rising from rags to riches and becoming a vibrant serial entrepreneur. Don’t let your dream job stay in the safety of the planning stage, never to come to fruition.