Are you looking for a career that will give you stability in your life? Or are you looking for a dream job to explore your potential? Here is an article that will help you choose between a stable job and an ideal dream career.
Everyone is familiar with Walt Disney’s struggles. No one believed in him when he set out to change the world by creating an animated Mouse. Perhaps no one knew what the impact of that would mean for the whole world.
If Walt Disney had decided to give up on his dreams and found a job to pay his bills, maybe things would have been much different in the world.
This isn’t to encourage you to quit your 9-to-5 right away and chase your dreams!
This is to understand how motivated you are to follow your dreams. A lot of people are happy in their 9-to-5 jobs and pursue their dreams during the weekend, or during vacation time.
The first thing that you need to understand before we explore the idea of being in your realistic job or chasing the ideal one, is asking yourself two very basic but hard-hitting questions.
Are you making enough to not only pay your bills but have enough to support your lifestyle and save?
Are you happy in your job?
If you think you don't have a satisfactory answer for these questions, then perhaps it's time to rethink your career options.
If you've been thinking about which career would better suit you - career with a stable income or career that not only offers employment, but also the chance to broaden your horizon as well, then read on as this article will examine both pros and cons of both the careers and make you realise that it is up to you what path you want to pursue.
Some people may think that career with a stable income will best suit their needs, whereas others may think that they are not going to achieve their goals if they don't at least take a chance and chase their dreams.
Pros and Cons of Your Stable Job
While a lot of people dislike wasting away their talent by sitting in a cubicle from 9 am to 5 pm, they forget that day jobs come with their own set of privileges.
For example, your day job ensures there is job security. You are more relaxed about your finances because you know your salary would be credited the next month. You also have your savings and insurances in place.
But what if this secure 9-5 stable job does not align with the long term vision you have for your life and career? Most people mistakenly believe jobs exist to help pay the bills and put food on your table. However, you feel burnt out and exhausted if you are stuck at a job that you do not enjoy at all. You can feel directionless in your career if you continue to work at a job that just feels pointless.
Here are some free resources if you are interested in exploring a new career that aligns with your interests, skills and values.
The best thing to do if you are wondering whether to quit your job and change careers, is make a list of pros and cons of your current job. You can take a call based on this.
Pros and Cons of Chasing Your Ideal Career
As discussed before, you need to research the industry you wish to go into. Dream jobs and career changes are a welcome break. But they need to be well planned for. Working for yourself, especially, comes with a level of dedication and discipline that not everyone gets right in the first go. You need to prepare before changing your career - no matter what your age might be.
Dream jobs are often marketed as how you have more control over your life and you spend more time with family. However, unless your business begins to scale up, it will be hard to ensure that you have time for everything. Therefore there needs to be meticulously planning on your part before you take the plunge and switch your career.
There is no point changing careers and going to a job that will come with financial insecurity and give you sleepless nights. Part of a dream job entails that you are able to dream as well.
If you do not have your financials in place, going from a steady paycheck to a hand-to-mouth existence will take a toll on you.
Here are some career conversations I've had with leaders from various backgrounds where I explore the idea of mid-career change for people who want to break out of a 9-5 and switch to something more exciting and fulfilling. Read them for more clarity on your next career steps!
3 Things to Consider about Your Dream Job
Before you put in your resignation letter to your current job, you need to consider a few things.
Ask yourself -
Does your dream industry have the money or is it a career path known to be one riddled with struggles?
Do you have enough saved up for at least a year to support yourself while you embark on your new adventure?
Is there job security in the dream job that you would like to pursue?
It's always a good idea to revisit your goals once you realise your priorities are shifting. As soon as you start considering the career that you want, you must identify the opportunities available as well as, convince yourself about what you are willing to give up for it. There are three things that you should take into consideration when it comes to pursuing other opportunities: Commitment, Balance, and Perspective.
Here are some more information on how you can make a switch to your ideal dream job:
Choosing a stable 9-5 job is usually the easier option. You will have more time to pursue your passion and interests, but you'll be missing out on the big bucks that could come with chasing your dream career. It's important to know where you want to go in life before making any decisions about your career path. If you're not sure what you want to do for a living, it's best to take some time off from work and focus on finding your interests before looking for a full-time job.