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The starting point of all achievement is desire, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything. – Napoleon Hill.
When we are children everyone from our parents to our teachers assures us that it is OK to dream, and dream big too. That’s why so many kids want to be astronauts and even superheroes. However, as we get older, we learn the important “truth” everyone is shoving in our face: dreams aren’t going to pay our bills.
The moment I realized that was when I had to give up on my unpaid internship at the local newspaper to be able to pay the rent. The job I got was far from the one I wanted, but hey, it put food on the table, and I could even save some bucks on the side.
This kept me motivated to work hard, but before I could get my head off the table I couldn’t recognize myself. You see, when we spend an average of eight hours doing a job we despise, this is not something we leave behind. We carry it with us back to our home, and we become unhappy, stressed out, and miserable.
This is not an odd thing since many studies have pointed out that an unhappy work life can drain your energy, cause stress, affect your sleep and even lead to less satisfying sex life.
One day I found myself so sleep deprived and dreading the beginning of my shift, and that’s the day I realized – I have to quit.
“What are you going to do now?” – Everyone around me asked. I said: “Now, I’m going to pursue my dreams”. You should have seen their faces. My mother, especially, who was working in the same company for thirty years could not get my decision. But she was also one of my biggest motivations because I’ve seen her coming back from work drained of all energy and happiness day after day.
The first step might be the hardest one – settling all the debts. This created a sense of freedom which allowed me to move forward.
Secondly, I questioned all my interests and thought about how to turn them into stable money inflow. Since I wanted to be a writer this was a tricky one. We all know writers don’t make much money. However, with the almighty internet, everyone is given a chance.
Starting my own blog was difficult and I haven’t yet arrived at the place where I want to be, but with dedication, research, and enthusiasm, I think success is just around the corner. However, I manage to make a solid living out of it, for now. How did I get there? It’s easy: just write quality content and load your blog with best plugins and software which allows your page to reach its full potential in the online environment.
The path was hard, at times unbearable, but I was unwavering in my desire to make it work. In the beginning, I had to approach writing as an on-the-side business. I didn’t sleep much. My social life was a mess. But now I can proudly say that it was all worth it because I’ve reached the point of unparalleled satisfaction with what I do, which reflects on my health and my relationships.
This was me, and it won’t be the same for you, but allow me to tell you why you must try to pursue your dream career.
Not all of us are created for desk jobs generating large incomes. Some of us have a more artistic note which is being suffocated by the constant stress and anxiety caused by getting up each morning and knowing we are going to spend eight hours doing something we dislike or even hate.
While working for money may seem like a good enough motivation to apply for a certain job, it is not something that will keep you going for years. Doing a job you enjoy in, on the other hand, will make you more passionate, and therefore, more productive. It will open the doors to new ideas and it won’t feel forced to you. Even working later hours and going above and beyond the call of duty will be a breeze.
On average, we spend more than 20 percent of our waking hours working, and since this area of your life consumes a significant chunk of your time, you might as well do something that fulfills you.
According to an article published on Inc.com loving your job even helps you live longer, by minimizing stress, fueling community ties, and keeping you positively challenged.
A dream career is not something you wish upon a star, it is something you work on. By doing something you are enthusiastic about, you are increasing your chances of success and improving your life in general. So go for it. You will never know until you try.
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