How I Created My Dream Job
What Would Your Perfect Job Description Look Like?
Over the last fifteen years, by God’s grace and through difficult decisions, I have created my dream job. Yes, it is very possible. And yes, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would not change how I work. When you find your dream job, you leave others wondering whether you are at work or at play. Sound good? Consider these observations and actions.
#1 Most dream jobs are created, not found.
Observation: Your dream job probably doesn’t exist right now. Action: Resolve to create, not find, your true, sweet-spot fit.
#2 Most people could care less about your dream job.
Observation: People will always want you to do something for them that is not your dream job. Action: Think beyond the expectations and limited imaginations of others and beyond existing job categories.
#3 Most individuals live with a projection of their dream job that does not precisely align with what they would really love.
Observation: Thoroughgoing self awareness is rare. Action: Embrace a journey of self-examination amidst diverse experiences knowing that both successes and failures are a great asset to clarity.
#4 Drivenness to create your dream job must be tempered with contentment in any job.
Observation: People with something to prove (unhealthy ambition) or something to loose (fear) will never find their dream job. Action: Never stop applying the gospel to your heart, so that your pursuit of a dream job is a response to God’s grace not a pursuit of self-righteousness.
#5 The most important wisdom on your dream job path is usually free.
Observation: There is someone closer to your dream job than you are, and they are usually willing to talk. Action: Pursue the people who can add value, open doors, and share wisdom to guide your steps. You won’t believe what will happen if you dare to ask.
#6 The biggest steps toward your dream job, require stepping away from really good jobs.
Observation: Most people’s addiction to “good” prevents them from discovering the “best.” Action: Jump at the right time and be prepared for a risk-step that will always present an element of faith.
#7 Never stop dreaming and taking the initiative.
Observation: Dream jobs never come to those who quit dreaming. Action: Let each dream-idea birth new action steps and each action step birth new dream-ideas.
great post, very true on many accounts. This in a way is the opposite of how the church teaches career paths….you can see that in your post you didn’t use the word ‘calling’. I don’t believe that the current use of the word in today’s church aligns with scripture in the slightest. Our call is the gospel, love Christ, etc…thats what the bible speaks to. It doesn’t say whether to be a CEO or a janitor, it’s a corporate call that christians have stripped down to a personal call, which exists, but is not normative. We have believed a selfish gospel which has started us on a quest for a dream job that has no end.
Thanks so much for this great post. One thing that you said that I would like to repeat here:
“Never stop applying the gospel to your heart, so that your pursuit of a dream job is a response to God’s grace not a pursuit of self-righteousness.”
I love this because there are people in the church that believe it would be selfish for them to talk about pursuing their dreams. But if we continually apply the gospel to our lives and walk in humility before the Lord, He will deal with those character issues that would make it a selfish pursuit. In that context, it is my personal view that it is selfish of us NOT to pursue our God-given dreams and live out the life He created us to live. Whether it is in the church or the marketplace we can live out our call to discipleship and evangelism in a way that gives us great joy and personal fulfillment. Anything else is less than what God would want for us.
This is a great post Will! “Most dream jobs are CREATED not found.”
I’ll never forget writing the job description for the “dream job” that I have now. I made an appointment with my pastor and handed him three documents:
1. My resignation as Young Adult pastor
2. A resume for my replacement
3. The job description for what I wanted to do.
Although I don’t recommend this move for everyone, it has changed my life forever.
I love this story Justin, thanks for sharing the bold move. Great example of leaving the good behind to pursue God’s best! Also, thanks to the other comments…very robust and helpful thoughts!
This is priceless!
While my dream “job” is actually by biz right now, these principles are applicble in any area of our lives.
I especially like #4-#7 tips.
Thanks so much ( special thanks to Justin for posting link)
God has been evesdropping on my conversations. Yesterday I met with a new friend who was discussing “wanting a dream job”. Today, I decided to search through Wordpress blog christian and found this. Insperational and timely. I sent it to her.