How to realize that your job is sucking the life out of you

How Not Being Content with Where You're at Can Both Help, and Hurt Your Future

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Some people call them scanners, others "wishy washy," me I choose to not label myself. That's right I am one of those many people out there who want to do everything, be everything, and experience everything before I end up six feet underground as a big pile of rotting flesh and bones.
2. I have researched this "disease" or "syndrome" for a couple months now and you know what? I've come to determine that it really depends on who you are that projects whether being unable to "keep your eye on the prize" is really a bad thing, or a good thing.
3. Let's face it. From the time we are born we are given the eventual goal to multiply and replenish the earth . This goal of course requires marriage, and marriage requires a wife, and substantial resources to support said wife, who will then come to bear children, who said children you will also have to support. So it's no wonder that we are also raised to "get a haircut and get a real job." But what about those of us who when asked what we want to be when we grow up answer, ask me again in five minutes. Why in five minutes? Because that's when what I want to be is going to change! One moment we want to be a fireman, the next a doctor, the next a zoo keeper and so on and so forth.
4. Now, I'm not saying that this is always a good thing, but it's only bad when you allow your changing desires to put at risk your ability to live (roof over head, food in your belly etc). Obviously someday I would like to get married, have my two and a half kids, settle down with my white picket fence and live happily ever after. But what's the hurry? It feels like kids nowadays are growing up so fast. It's safe to say that we are not getting married as young as when our parents and grandparents did, but there is still an undaunted social stigma out there that when you graduate high school, and get into college, you have to know exactly what you want to be. Or, for those of you reading this article who have long ago graduated, it's really ok to still not know what you want to be. I am glad to see that this stigma is slowly changing though.
5. According to worldwidelearn.com the average person changes their career six or seven times during their lifetime. This is drastically different from the 50's, all the way through the 80's, where it was the norm to start at the ground level of a business and work your way up, forever loyal to one company. Times they are a changin' however, and I think that's a great thing! Now I'm not saying go out and quit your job to sing kumbaya under the red wood trees, but I think that we can find a healthy balance between working, and still being a free spirit. So how do we determine this line?
6. I think honestly, it all comes down to what makes you happy without hurting others. I've heard it said a million times that only an idiot chooses something they hate doing as a career. There are a million and one ways that you can find that will allow you take something you love to do and make it a career. Do you love to travel? Well then look into working on a cruise ship, or maybe as a tour guide. Is it an easy career to get into? The cruise ship may surprise you how easy it is to get onboard, as long as your willing to put in the effort and the hours. Love working with Kids? Well then consider going back to school to get your teaching certificate. It's really ok to pursue something that you love. So where does the bad part come in?
7. Before you start thinking about a major change in your life you need to think about who that change is going to effect. Are you married? Do you have kids? Can I afford to do this right now? These are all important questions you need to ask yourself. Myself, I am a single male with good health and a patient heart, which sets me up perfectly for a wanderers lifestyle. However, if I were married it would be a quite different story. Does that mean you should give up on your dream? Of course not!
8. What you need to do is assess the situation. Ask yourself, how can I do this without putting the livelihood of my family at stake? For instance say you want to go back to school to get a degree in social work. You should never choose your career or school over your family first off, so what about looking into online schools. Something that you can be at home when your not at work, but still get schooling in. Nowadays there are so many options to get your degree online that it's never been easier to get your first, or even your second or third degrees. Also there is a host of opportunities to get your Masters and even Doctorate degree online. A few bits of advice though if you are going to choose an online degree program. Make sure that the school is legit. The best way to do this is to see if they offer government financial aid. I'm not talking loans through the school or payment plans. I'm talking Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, those types of aid. Schools have to qualify and have certain certifications to be able to offer government aid, so if the school your looking at offers government programs, then you should be safe.
9. What about starting your own business? I will say this again, never put the livelihood of your family on the line for your dreams. What do I mean by that. NEVER put your home up as collateral for a business loan. There are plenty of other ways to help finance your business without your family becoming homeless because your idea for flame retardant underwear just didn't pan out like you expected. Make a plan and discuss it with your wife. From there take it to a financial planner or someone within your community who specializes in business start ups. If you can get the financing to pull off your dream without sacrificing the comfort of your family then go for it! Being your own boss is one of the greatest feelings ever, but sleeping on the couch for the rest of your life is not. So keep your family in the loop.
10. You see, there are lots of ways to pursue your dream if you just plan right, and keep your priorities in check. You may be jealous of me because I can just pick up and move on a whim to pursue one great adventure after the next, but I'm just as jealous of you and your embarkment on the greatest adventure of all...a family. So as I dream of my next adventure, I hope you too dream of yours. As the Disney movie says, "a dream is a wish your heart makes," so get off your backside and put your heart to work!