Finding Your Dream Job

When I describe my career and my life I typically explain that there have been many twists and turns but few real bumps. I’ve learned along the way to look at my career, my life and my success from a different perspective.

Some of my most important lessons have been:

• Look for work that fits you. Think about the interesection of what you enjoy and what you do best. By starting from what you want, you will be less tempted to tell yourself you could fit into a job that entails a lot of technical individual work when you really want a creative collaborative job.

• Don’t worry about the ladder. Letting go of the status and your ‘title’ identity that goes along with it gives you freedom to explore what you enjoy rather than what provides a socially accepted vision of success. Your personal priorities and values can guide where you allocate your time, money and energy.

• Select your own perks. Rethink sacrafice and reframe benefits. Not having an office on Central Park isn’t a sacrafice when I can skip those 8 am staff meetings. It isn’t a sacrafice to give up business class flights when I am choosing the destination and duration of my trip. I may not be staying at the Ritz-Carlton, but I am not stuck in a conference room all day either. Is that great title worth 1-1/2 hour commute and 10 pm evenings at the office?

• Take the scenic route. Enjoy the road you are on…follow your own path, even if others think it is crazy. Don’t let your career drive your life – let your passion take the wheel.