7 Tips to Ditch Your 9-5 Desk Job and Start following Your Dreams ...
By Heather • 7 Comments
By Heather • 7 Comments
There’s no time like the present to start following your dreams and the best way to do that is to find a career in the area. Many of us work jobs everyday that leave us stressed, moody, unfulfilled and routinely bored. If this is you and you’re tired of the mundane, let me give you a few pointers for making your dream career your next career! It can be scary to leave a comforting, reliable 9-5 gig for the unknown possibilities behind working in your dream field. I know, because I’ve done it twice. I once left a desk job at a modeling agency that left me tired, bored and stagnant, to sell my car and work at a market near my home to save up money and move to New York for awhile. Yes, my family thought I was crazy as I walked to work each day, but I paid my way for my move and ended up living in a city I absolutely adore. Though I don’t live there right now for personal family reasons, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Most recently, I ditched a corporate job I held that had insurance and benefits, but low pay and no satisfaction, for a freelance writing career, which has been my lifelong dream. I’m not only happier, but also more confident now than ever that taking these risks is completely worth the initial fear in the long run. If you’re looking to start following your dreams, read my tips and then make your decision. It could just be the best one you ever make!
Let’s say you were to start following your dreams today. What would that be exactly? What would you do each day? How would you start your routine? What areas would be working in? Consider all your options and take a moment to think about everything. Make sure it is an area you’re truly passionate about and not just an area where you could make a lot of money. If the two happen to be the same, great! If not though, remember that passion will outlast riches any day. You’re more apt to persevere in a field you’re passionate about that will eventually lead to a great income down the road.
Now that you know what your dream career would be, it’s time to do some research. What would it take for you to get into the field? What are the possibilities of you finding that job and working in it by next week or next month? Are there any events, groups, etc. in your area that could help you get a job in the field? Researching the field could open some possibilities for you and answer any questions that you have. I researched moving to New York for three months every single day before doing so. When I got there, I knew about every area of the city, had several job interviews lined up, along with knowing the background of the neighborhood I moved to. Go into this process informed and prepared; it can only help!
Now that you’re informed, stop and think about what you would need to do to make this dream job happen. What would you physically have to do? How would your life have to change? Write it all down and be aware. This takes away some of the stress, confusion and uncertainty of embracing your dream job, and it helps you get everything down on paper in front of you. It also makes this dream job idea real, and not just a fantasy anymore, which can be really exciting and scary at the same time!
Now that you know what you’ve got to do, how are you going to pay your bills? Write out your budget, consider using any savings, or do what I did and get a second job to pay for the job change. Yes, I worked myself to the bone for six months, but I paid for my move in cash. Most recently, I worked freelancing part-time while working another job I hoped to leave but couldn’t at the moment, until more freelancing doors opened up permanently. I did what I had to do to make my budget work. I also cut back on all my groceries, stopped shopping for clothes that weren’t absolutely necessary, and quit buying items here and there I didn’t need. I cut back my data plan on my cell phone bill and never spent money out to eat. Look at your budget and make it work.
Now that you’ve got your money issues solved, it’s time to make this work in real life. Make some plans to pursue your dream. Start doing something today to take action. Now, pick a date on the calendar where you’re going to make the complete jump and don’t reconsider other options. Making plans makes this real and helps put you your ideas into action.
One thing anyone should do when they start to follow their dreams is to consider alternatives. This creates a safety net, that most likely you won’t need, but that you’ll feel better knowing you have. What would happen if the job didn’t work? What would you do? Create a backup plan, even if it isn’t perfect or set in stone, that you could realistically do if things didn’t work out.
Now, all you have to do is go for it! This is the hardest, but the most rewarding part, so whatever you do, don’t skip this step! Life is short- make it happen!
Have you ever left a 9-5 job for your dream job? I want to hear about it. Tell me what you did to make your dream happen!