| Like most, I grew up with big dreams and aspirations | | | | conversation with an old friend and mentor from |
| of finding work I loved doing and that I would be | | | | graduate school. During the conversation, which |
| completely fulfilled with. Dreaming of a Utopian job | | | | turned into a venting session, I expressed my |
| and the hopes that one day it would all fall into place | | | | frustration. After I was through ranting, my friend |
| for me. Whatever and wherever that place might be. | | | | gave a long pause and then proceeded to tell me, |
| In an effort to achieve those dreams I embarked on | | | | "You really just need to find what you love doing and |
| my journey by pursuing a college degree and getting | | | | figure out a way to make money at it." |
| an education. I worked hard to obtain a higher level | | | | With countless hours of research and thought put |
| of education assuming that if I simply put in the time, | | | | into what I was going to do with the rest of my life |
| got the degrees, that doors would automatically open | | | | this one phrase just clicked. It was the spark I |
| for me. | | | | needed! The epiphany if you will. I now realized I was |
| Being educated with a Bachelor's degree and a | | | | taking the wrong approach to my dilemma. I was too |
| Master's degree I assumed I would be able to make | | | | focused on the financial security aspect of a career |
| my entrepreneurial way in the world. However, | | | | when what I really needed to do was focus on what |
| education came with a hefty financial burden and I | | | | I love to do and figure out how I could make a job |
| soon realized it wasn't going to just disappear | | | | out of it. So I focused my efforts and energy on |
| anytime in soon. I figured I needed to start making | | | | finding what that "spark" was for me. Currently, I am |
| money right away to pay off my debts even if it | | | | pursuing my love of writing by working on this blog |
| meant forgoing a job or career that truly made me | | | | and writing a book as well as focusing on some other |
| happy or work that I loved to do. I thought I would | | | | areas of interest based on things I love to do... but |
| eventually grow to enjoy whatever job I came | | | | those other areas of interest in current pursuit are |
| across. What I found myself doing was taking a safe | | | | topics for another time. What I leave you with are |
| and sensible approach to try and gain back my | | | | some parting words which I hope will help you search |
| financial freedom by getting a 9 to 5 job hoping it | | | | for a career you'll enjoy. |
| would eventually lead to a lucrative career making a | | | | -A single spark of thought can ignite your journey to |
| lot more money. | | | | finding a career you will enjoy. |
| Fast forward, five years later I'm still at the same | | | | It takes a mere thought, an idea, about what you |
| job, I have yet to discover that lucrative career and | | | | might enjoy doing or what makes you happy and |
| I am not making the financial strides I'd thought I | | | | then thinking about how that can translate into a |
| would by this point. | | | | career. Think about what it will take to start down |
| So a few months ago I found myself at a fork in the | | | | that path. It may not be something you discover |
| road of life. Well... more like a road block in the road | | | | right away but if you explore your ideas and your |
| of life. I was in my early 30's, my career was going | | | | thoughts then it will eventually come to fruition. |
| nowhere, I hadn't yet achieved the level of financial | | | | -Don't stop pursuing your interests until you have |
| success I'd hoped for and the downward spiral of | | | | found something worthwhile. |
| the economy only added to my feelings of | | | | Any thought or ideas you have in mind about doing |
| discontent and hopelessness. | | | | something you love as profession should be pursued. |
| I didn't really know where I could turn to for help or | | | | No matter how unattainable you may think they are. |
| where to start looking but I knew that I had a | | | | You'll never know unless you try it out. |
| specific skill set in an industry I no longer wanted to | | | | -As soon as you have an idea, run with it. |
| be in and that I needed to make a change | | | | Once you find something your interested in doing |
| professionally in order to be more fulfilled in my | | | | that can translate into work then keep at it and |
| personal life. The search over the next few months | | | | work to make it a reality. You've come this far with |
| was exhausting and I felt like I wasn't getting any | | | | the realization of doing what you love as work. Don't |
| closer. | | | | ruin it by stopping now. Be diligent and invest time |
| A few weeks ago I was having a phone | | | | into making it happen. |