Do you feel burned out at your current job? Do you wish you had your dream job? Career bliss can be as simple as changing one word in your mental vocabulary. Altering that word turns your passive attitude towards work into an active verb that gets things done.
Self-described "chief burnout officer" and author Ben Fanning says to obtain your dream job, change the word "find" into "create." Finding implies if you dig long enough, walk around fast enough or have the right tools, you will eventually discover the optimal career. Creating means you take control of your destiny and make your perfect career a reality on your own terms. When you create something, the rewards are even greater because you put your heart and soul into the process. Active and passive differentiate between create versus find, respectively.
Realize that finding a job means you fit into someone else's mold. The job description posted by company X characterizes a manager's ideal job description for you. Instead of mastering skills for your life's passion, you embrace the corporate world's monotony of job interview skills, resume building and networking. These skills are great to have, but everyone who works up the corporate ladder perfects how to get a job. Landing a job has little to do with your dream job because other people can fit into that job description.
Discover your latitude within your current position. The original job posting probably listed several job responsibilities and duties that appear nothing compared to the job you do today. As such, you may not realize just how dynamic your position is within your firm. Eventually, you could turn your current duties into a dream job by asking your supervisor if you can make a few small changes that fit more to your style of work.
Answer questions about what motivates you. Do you enjoy dealing with customers, co-workers or technological equipment? Do you get up early to arrive at the office ahead of time, or do you dread clocking in at 8 a.m.? An honest appraisal of your passions helps determine the next step to create your dream job.
Now that you know what motivates you, ask your boss if you can do more of that particular task. If you enjoy talking on the phone, consider a more marketing-oriented job that deals with clients outside the building. Tasks that you do not enjoy can be delegated to someone else on the team, or you can collaborate with a co-worker. It does not hurt to ask what your boss can do to help you.
Once you create your ultimate happiness at work, share this with others. Inspire others at the office before apathy, fatigue and stress step in to ruin your chances of career happiness. Your ultimate position is not about finding a job at another company every five years; it is about creating happiness where you are at the present time.
Learn the difference between create versus find, and your active mindset creeps into other aspects of your life outside of your dream job. Create the family, friends, relationships and hobbies you want no matter what, and see how far this great attitude takes you.
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