Written by: Chrysanthi Vazitari, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Dream job… right? Since we were kids we were asked the question of what we were going to do when we grew up. I can so vividly remember mine; I used to change my mind so often… One day I was a vet, the other day I was an architect and after a week I was an FBI agent! For the latter, I am going to have to blame my father, as we used to watch many action movies together!
Before I give you my personal answer to whether or not there is a dream job, I would like to define what a dream job means to me. At the same time, I would like to ask you to reflect on that thought while you read my article!
When we say “dream” what kind of “dream” is that “dream”? (sounds weird right?)
To me, a dream means freedom plus alignment between imagination and reality — the freedom of being 100% yourself and the alignment of who you are right now with who you want to be. I spent a bit less than a decade studying university subjects that were not my great passion and afterwards, doing jobs that sometimes I was not interested in at all! Of course in the beginning I was very thirsty and motivated, but soon I would end up again with the same question. Is that all? Working 5 days per week and waiting for the weekend? On Sunday evening feeling stressed that tomorrow I have to start all over again? Is this how I imagined or dreamed my life would be?
No, it is not! I might not have a clear plan as to what I wanted to do as a profession, but I always had a clear image about how I wanted to feel about my job and my career! I always had people to admire and to inspire me, and I always knew that I wanted to do something I love and that fulfills me. So, from this short story, I simply want to remind you that sometimes we focus on the destination, which could be unknown. Maybe by shifting our attention to the journey itself might help us to get some answers.
And of course, let me clarify the following… To those who say “turn your passion into a job and you don’t have to work a day in your life,” I would have to say, I disagree! A job or a career is much more than just a passion. It’s the place where you can grow, learn, try and feel safe. It’s the place where you feel confident doing what you do and what you know but also confident doing the things you don’t know! It’s the place where your values align with your lifestyle.
As I coach, I am working with the 4 big pillars below to discover the purpose in life, your dream career, the reason of being (ikigai):
A. Things that warm our heart, things we love and inspire us is a (25%)
B. Things we are good at, experienced in doing and boost our self-esteem and self-confidence are our superpowers (25%)
C. What we feel the world is lacking, what our aspirations are – and not what we supposedly should care about (25%)
D. Money makes the world go round! Well, what we will do without being able to afford rent or a coffee, right? So being able to get paid is equally important (25%)
You might be old school, I get it! You don’t believe there is such a thing as a dream/ ideal job. You think that we do not need to have a purpose in this life and as long as we bring home the bacon it's all good! Sure! Not everyone has this need to find the “raison d’etre”, I agree! But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!
Do you want to know TWO huge misconceptions?
You do not have to choose between earning money in your career and doing something that you love! YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL!!! Queen stated it very clearly “Gotta find me a future move out of my way I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now”. You can have it all!!
You will find your purpose, your dream job, as long as you are open, attentive and intentional! I know sometimes it might feel like a mission impossible, or like carrying your precious to the Mount Doom in Mordor (aka Frodo in Lord of the Rings) but you will find it! You might need some nudge or assistance but the beautiful thing with people is that they can make everything feasible. Career coaching can play a crucial role in your career growth, from finding your ikigai to career fulfillment, alignment or balance!
As Bill Cunningham says, “He who seeks beauty will find it”
Action steps
Whether or not I convinced you about the existence of a dream job, whether you are quite happy with your job or feel like you have everything under control, or if you are a coach or service provider and would like to niche down your clientele, I would really like for you to take the following small actions. Following up on the diagram above, make some notes on the questions below:
Step 1:
Identify what you love and what you are passionate about.
Eliminate the money thoughts, remember what you loved doing as a child, what pumps you up when doing it?
Step 2:
Identify your superpowers and uniqueness.
You all have many skills, but have you ever identified them and understand how they serve you? Make a list of all the trainings, jobs, certificates, self-learnings, hobbies you have ever done and next to them pin down the skills you developed.
(i.e. Teacher in high school — skills developed: Interpersonal skills, communication with diverse people, cultures, and needs. Managing and motivating teams etc.)
Step 3:
If you could volunteer for a year and have no stress about your income or your job, what would you be working on? For inspiration, check out the 17 sustainable development goals.
Step 4:
Summarizing & Researching.
Make a summary observing all the elements you noted down and see what comes up more often! What clues/elements are most prominent?
Then, research what industries can match the above criteria. What new capacities will I need to achieve that role? Which of the necessary skills do I have and how often do I use them?
This is a very short action plan to help you to better define, even by 10%, where you are or where you want to go. Should you be more curious about it, have a look on the Career Grow & Glow Programme and of course, you can book a free discovery call here.
And remember: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE OR MAKE A CAREER PIVOT!
Chrysanthi Vazitari, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Chrysanthi is a certified transformational coach working with multi-passionate and highly energetic professionals, who try to get career satisfaction, advancement or who want to completely pivot their careers. Chrysa has successfully pivoted her career three times already, from an educator to communications advisor in big corporations and is now an entrepreneur/coach. She is the founder of Career Grow & Glow and the co-founder of GrowthUP coaching. Her coaching method is the ACC: Awareness ‒ Clarity ‒ Choice (by CMA) in combination with somatic/embodied and cognitive-behavioral elements. Of course, there is constant change, as she doesn't rest and keep incorporating new methods along the way!
