Answer these 5 Questions To Create Your Dream Job

Does everything magically fall into place one day? Does someone offer you an unexpected job that turns out to be the perfect fit? Do you bounce from one job to the next, hoping to land a great gig?

Not likely, so don’t hold your breath any longer. It takes a lot of thought and hard work. But it is possible! We all take a unique path in life, so I can only speak from my experience. Hopefully, the questions I asked myself can help guide you in your journey to finding your dream job!

Looking Within

First, I had to recognize within myself what my deepest desires for my career were. I had to answer some important questions.

1. What are my strengths and weaknesses – both in my character and in my abilities?
2. What is the driving force behind why I work? Yes, there are monetary benefits, but are there other meaningful reasons for which I work?
3. What is my passion? Not my hobbies or interests, but real passions.
4. What things about my previous jobs have been most satisfying, and conversely, most frustrating?
5. What do I want my career to look like? It’s structure and organization, where I work, who I work for, what hours I work.

When I answered these questions (after quitting what I thought would be my dream job), I started to realize that what I had already been doing — teaching private music lessons — fit everything I wanted. It just needed a little tweaking.

My strengths? Building relationships, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, creatively helping others learn to read music and play their instrument, developing a business, and envisioning and building something from scratch.

My weaknesses? Fitting into a mold created by someone/something else, completing tasks that are (in my opinion) not directly related to my end goal, busy work, having to uphold a structure/organization that I don’t believe in.

Why do I work? At Starbucks and Johnny Rockets, it was definitely just for the paycheck and tips. But teaching music gave me deep satisfaction. I loved seeing my students light up during their “a-ha” moments!

What is my passion? Sharing my musical knowledge and providing positive musical opportunities in order to have my students learn something new or achieve a goal. Also, sharing great business resources with other educators.

Most satisfying aspects of my previous jobs? Teaching music, providing opportunities, being creative, being my own boss, setting my schedule, collaborating with other teachers, seeing my students learn.

Most frustrating aspects of my previous jobs? Long hours, working on weekends, busy work, feeling like I’m not reaching a goal, working just for the money, working with students that didn’t want to be taught, trying to mold myself into a system that didn’t fit me.

What do I want my career to look like? I wanted to build relationships and creatively teach music on my own terms, dictate my schedule and be my own boss, provide positive experiences for my students, and be able to collaborate with and mentor other teachers.
Now what?Be sure you are headed in the right direction by investing in yourself now. Grab a cup of tea and your journal and head to a quiet spot where you can spend some time answering the above questions.

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.
​— Zig Ziglar

Are you in your dream job? Why or why not? I'd love to hear in the comments below!