Two thousand eighty hours: That's the amount of time you'll spend at your full-time job this year.
But if you're like many employees-working a job you barely tolerate just to earn a buck-these 2000-plus hours may feel like an eternity.
If money were no object, how would you spend these two thousand-plus hours? Would you seek out a more stimulating, more fulfilling livelihood? According to a survey by the Conference Board, only 47% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs-the lowest rate in 20 years.
That means the majority-more than 50% of those polled-aren't satisfied.
As a gut reaction, you may feel that it's not feasible or responsible to pursue a dream job that stimulates your interests firstly and pays the bills as an afterthought.
However, there are jobs out there that can rouse your passions and provide financial security.
If you"re fed up with working just to "get by," take the initiative to find your dream job.
Securing your ideal career isn't as scary as it seems.
However, you should approach it like any other life goal-with persistence, discipline and intelligence.
It may take more than 30 days to discover and land your dream job, but the hard work and dedication put forth during this month will provide the bedrock for an exciting phase of your life.
Listening to Your Inner Career Voice The first 30 days of finding your dream job will be a time of introspection to determine your passions and the type of job you're searching for.
A helpful method is to consider questions about your personality, such as: "Who am I?," "What excites me?," "What do I want from my career?" "Listen with your heart.
As you become clearer about who you are, the career you choose will be more satisfying, enjoyable and productive," recommends Lorne Epstein, career expert and author of You're Hired! Interview Skills to Get the Job.
During this period of introspection, think about the surrounding issues that may crop up with your dream job.
Are you someone who values your weekends? If so, starting your own business may not work.
Do you like to travel but hate being away from your family? Then a job as a flight attendant may not be the right "dream" for you.
Make sure you weigh your wants and needs against the demands of a potential dream job.
"You need to know what the exact dream job is before you begin.
Not everyone is a match for [his or her] dream.
That's the biggest pitfall for people," says Pamela Mitchell, CEO and chief vision officer of The Reinvention Institute, an organization devoted to helping people transform their careers.
"People think it's a dream but they never think how one's personal makeup matches the dream.
" This examination helped Tracy Johnson* establish a new professional life in social work.
After working as a trader at a large financial firm for years, she left that industry to become a mental health therapist for children and adults in the Bronx.
"I was sitting at my friend's house one day, thinking about how I didn't care if the market went up and down.
I knew I loved kids and working with people.
I felt this need to make a difference," she says.
Your introspection during this time may not lead to a specific dream job, but this self-reflection will pave the way for your future career path.
It may take time and a few years of experience in various fields to figure it all out.
That's exactly what happened to Jason Dorsey, who prepared for a life in finance while in college.
Instead, he decided to follow his dream of helping his peers enter the workforce.
Jason says he listened to his head and told himself, "You have control over what you choose to do.
" His career change altered his life forever.
After two years, $50,000 of debt and pinching pennies by sleeping on the floor of his friend's garage, Jason's determination paid off.
At age 18, he penned his first book, Graduate to Your Perfect Job, and his professional expertise generated the buzz he needed to become one of the most sought-after speakers in America.
Do Your Dream Job Homework There is a very good chance that your dream job is in a field completely different from the one you're in currently.
Once you have a career trajectory in mind, focus on becoming intimately acquainted with your chosen field during this month.
You'll want to get a feel for the job's responsibilities, salary range and future career prospects, among other aspects.
Research is essential during this phase.
If there's a particular company you are interested in, learn about what they do, how they do it and how you can help them do it better.
When you're able to articulate why this employer needs you and how your passion can translate into success for the company, your research will have paid off.
Obviously, your dream job isn't going to land in your lap, so you'll have to work to get it.
During this first month, stop and take inventory, advises Epstein.
Assess your prior work experience and the skills you possess.
Discover what you like, what you don't like and what you're good at doing.
Then determine how those things can apply to your new career.
If you're having trouble articulating your skills, write them down, Epstein suggests.
These skills shouldn't be confined to your job performance, however.
"Everything I've ever done, from playing basketball, attending college, learning discipline in the Marines-all those skills helped me when I was coaching my leadership programs, and all of that really supported me in teaching," says Kevin Froner, a former trader on the American Stock Exchange who pursued his dream job of becoming a teacher and executive coach.
If you realize you don't have the required skills for your ideal career, find out whether they can be learned on the job.
If not, you may consider seeking additional training or education.
This is often the case for those who have chosen a new career far removed from their previous, uninspiring jobs.
Lastly, consider how pursuing your dream job will affect you and your family financially and emotionally.
Before you quit your career and go back to school, you should take this first month to plan out how you will continue to support yourself and your family while reaching for your dream.
Start the Search to Changing Your Job Though your dream job research may be done and you have a prospective career in mind, you may be confused about how to proceed.
"Talk to people who already have the job.
Find out the real story behind the dream," Mitchell says.
"You have to explode the myths that you're holding.
The term 'dream job' is very loaded, and usually means people are having some kind of false ideas about what life is going to be like when they land their dream job.
You have to unpack the emotional package.
The best way to do that is to talk to somebody.
Ask them not only about the good things but the bad things.
Every job has downsides.
People should be looking for what they have to put up with to have the dream.
" Some of the easiest ways to talk to people in your industry is to set up informational interviews or network through professional acquaintances, friends and family.
Locate a professional organization or trade group in your chosen field and go to social events to meet people.
You may begin to realize that your "dream job" isn't listed on career web sites or in the classifieds.
For many fields, the only way to find out about a potential dream job is through referrals from people you know.
Aside from going back to school, Kevin was able to land his dream job by making meaningful connections with his professors.
He remembered a story he once heard where a woman attributed her success to volunteering whenever anyone needed help.
"That's what I did at Hunter [College]," he says.
"I made those contacts, and they recommended me for my teaching job.
" After you've spoken to industry members, this is when the serious job-hunting process begins.
In certain instances, the typical application process won't work for your dream job.
Most of the time, when an employer asks for a resume, "they ask, but they don't know what that is," says Jeffrey Fox, author of How to Land Your Dream Job: No Resume! And Other Secrets to Get You in the Door.
Fox recommends sending them a letter.
Highlight your skills in terms of what you can do for their company.
In this letter, you should explain why they should hire you and what you will do to make the company even more successful.
Through these modes of communication, you're already interviewing for your dream job.
By showing interest in a particular field and learning how to describe your passion to others, your contacts and acquaintances will think of you first when your dream job becomes available.
However, if you are called in for the typical interview process, standard job interview rules apply: Show up early, be professional and provide the best argument as to why you're the perfect fit for your dream job.
Landing Your Dream Job Don't be disappointed if you haven't landed your dream job in 30 days, or in 300 days.
It takes a lot of sweat and determination to live the dream.
Most successful job-hunters view this month as a critical first step toward life-long, fulfilling work.
You may be harboring anxiety about your endeavor: You may be afraid of never getting the perfect job-or getting it and hating it.
Those fears are normal and come with most major life changes.
However, don't let these fears deter you.
The effort you put into your dream job search will pay off in time.
You should always be on the lookout for your dream job, since it may reveal itself in unexpected ways.
Take Keith Taylor, for example.
He landed his ideal career after becoming frustrated with his position as a college professor.
He saved a small amount of money and offered it through the internet to anyone who had a critical need.
So many people saw Keith's web site that he started receiving thousands in contributions.
Through this turn of events, Keith established the non-profit Modest Needs Foundation (Modestneeds.
org), and nearly 50,000 people have donated money through his site.
Keith's satisfaction is a beacon for those hoping to land their dream jobs.
"We did a study and of the people who actually successfully reinvented their careers, many talk about personal fulfillment," says Mitchell.
"A good portion is making more money, but that wasn't a driver for why they were making a change.
The emotional fulfillment, the sense of confidence, the sense of passion for their work-those are the things they felt were the biggest payoffs.
" It's the emotional rewards that keep Tracy enthusiastic about her job.
"I needed to do something that would leave the world better than I found it," she says.
"At the end of the day, I know that I've really made a difference.
I know I've helped people through problems that plagued them their whole lives, and helped them become more functioning members of society.
" * name(s) have been changed.
To learn more about Finding Your Dream Job and to sign up to The First 30 Days daily email newsletter "Ariane's Change Secrets, visit http://www.
First30Days.
com.
But if you're like many employees-working a job you barely tolerate just to earn a buck-these 2000-plus hours may feel like an eternity.
If money were no object, how would you spend these two thousand-plus hours? Would you seek out a more stimulating, more fulfilling livelihood? According to a survey by the Conference Board, only 47% of Americans are satisfied with their jobs-the lowest rate in 20 years.
That means the majority-more than 50% of those polled-aren't satisfied.
As a gut reaction, you may feel that it's not feasible or responsible to pursue a dream job that stimulates your interests firstly and pays the bills as an afterthought.
However, there are jobs out there that can rouse your passions and provide financial security.
If you"re fed up with working just to "get by," take the initiative to find your dream job.
Securing your ideal career isn't as scary as it seems.
However, you should approach it like any other life goal-with persistence, discipline and intelligence.
It may take more than 30 days to discover and land your dream job, but the hard work and dedication put forth during this month will provide the bedrock for an exciting phase of your life.
Listening to Your Inner Career Voice The first 30 days of finding your dream job will be a time of introspection to determine your passions and the type of job you're searching for.
A helpful method is to consider questions about your personality, such as: "Who am I?," "What excites me?," "What do I want from my career?" "Listen with your heart.
As you become clearer about who you are, the career you choose will be more satisfying, enjoyable and productive," recommends Lorne Epstein, career expert and author of You're Hired! Interview Skills to Get the Job.
During this period of introspection, think about the surrounding issues that may crop up with your dream job.
Are you someone who values your weekends? If so, starting your own business may not work.
Do you like to travel but hate being away from your family? Then a job as a flight attendant may not be the right "dream" for you.
Make sure you weigh your wants and needs against the demands of a potential dream job.
"You need to know what the exact dream job is before you begin.
Not everyone is a match for [his or her] dream.
That's the biggest pitfall for people," says Pamela Mitchell, CEO and chief vision officer of The Reinvention Institute, an organization devoted to helping people transform their careers.
"People think it's a dream but they never think how one's personal makeup matches the dream.
" This examination helped Tracy Johnson* establish a new professional life in social work.
After working as a trader at a large financial firm for years, she left that industry to become a mental health therapist for children and adults in the Bronx.
"I was sitting at my friend's house one day, thinking about how I didn't care if the market went up and down.
I knew I loved kids and working with people.
I felt this need to make a difference," she says.
Your introspection during this time may not lead to a specific dream job, but this self-reflection will pave the way for your future career path.
It may take time and a few years of experience in various fields to figure it all out.
That's exactly what happened to Jason Dorsey, who prepared for a life in finance while in college.
Instead, he decided to follow his dream of helping his peers enter the workforce.
Jason says he listened to his head and told himself, "You have control over what you choose to do.
" His career change altered his life forever.
After two years, $50,000 of debt and pinching pennies by sleeping on the floor of his friend's garage, Jason's determination paid off.
At age 18, he penned his first book, Graduate to Your Perfect Job, and his professional expertise generated the buzz he needed to become one of the most sought-after speakers in America.
Do Your Dream Job Homework There is a very good chance that your dream job is in a field completely different from the one you're in currently.
Once you have a career trajectory in mind, focus on becoming intimately acquainted with your chosen field during this month.
You'll want to get a feel for the job's responsibilities, salary range and future career prospects, among other aspects.
Research is essential during this phase.
If there's a particular company you are interested in, learn about what they do, how they do it and how you can help them do it better.
When you're able to articulate why this employer needs you and how your passion can translate into success for the company, your research will have paid off.
Obviously, your dream job isn't going to land in your lap, so you'll have to work to get it.
During this first month, stop and take inventory, advises Epstein.
Assess your prior work experience and the skills you possess.
Discover what you like, what you don't like and what you're good at doing.
Then determine how those things can apply to your new career.
If you're having trouble articulating your skills, write them down, Epstein suggests.
These skills shouldn't be confined to your job performance, however.
"Everything I've ever done, from playing basketball, attending college, learning discipline in the Marines-all those skills helped me when I was coaching my leadership programs, and all of that really supported me in teaching," says Kevin Froner, a former trader on the American Stock Exchange who pursued his dream job of becoming a teacher and executive coach.
If you realize you don't have the required skills for your ideal career, find out whether they can be learned on the job.
If not, you may consider seeking additional training or education.
This is often the case for those who have chosen a new career far removed from their previous, uninspiring jobs.
Lastly, consider how pursuing your dream job will affect you and your family financially and emotionally.
Before you quit your career and go back to school, you should take this first month to plan out how you will continue to support yourself and your family while reaching for your dream.
Start the Search to Changing Your Job Though your dream job research may be done and you have a prospective career in mind, you may be confused about how to proceed.
"Talk to people who already have the job.
Find out the real story behind the dream," Mitchell says.
"You have to explode the myths that you're holding.
The term 'dream job' is very loaded, and usually means people are having some kind of false ideas about what life is going to be like when they land their dream job.
You have to unpack the emotional package.
The best way to do that is to talk to somebody.
Ask them not only about the good things but the bad things.
Every job has downsides.
People should be looking for what they have to put up with to have the dream.
" Some of the easiest ways to talk to people in your industry is to set up informational interviews or network through professional acquaintances, friends and family.
Locate a professional organization or trade group in your chosen field and go to social events to meet people.
You may begin to realize that your "dream job" isn't listed on career web sites or in the classifieds.
For many fields, the only way to find out about a potential dream job is through referrals from people you know.
Aside from going back to school, Kevin was able to land his dream job by making meaningful connections with his professors.
He remembered a story he once heard where a woman attributed her success to volunteering whenever anyone needed help.
"That's what I did at Hunter [College]," he says.
"I made those contacts, and they recommended me for my teaching job.
" After you've spoken to industry members, this is when the serious job-hunting process begins.
In certain instances, the typical application process won't work for your dream job.
Most of the time, when an employer asks for a resume, "they ask, but they don't know what that is," says Jeffrey Fox, author of How to Land Your Dream Job: No Resume! And Other Secrets to Get You in the Door.
Fox recommends sending them a letter.
Highlight your skills in terms of what you can do for their company.
In this letter, you should explain why they should hire you and what you will do to make the company even more successful.
Through these modes of communication, you're already interviewing for your dream job.
By showing interest in a particular field and learning how to describe your passion to others, your contacts and acquaintances will think of you first when your dream job becomes available.
However, if you are called in for the typical interview process, standard job interview rules apply: Show up early, be professional and provide the best argument as to why you're the perfect fit for your dream job.
Landing Your Dream Job Don't be disappointed if you haven't landed your dream job in 30 days, or in 300 days.
It takes a lot of sweat and determination to live the dream.
Most successful job-hunters view this month as a critical first step toward life-long, fulfilling work.
You may be harboring anxiety about your endeavor: You may be afraid of never getting the perfect job-or getting it and hating it.
Those fears are normal and come with most major life changes.
However, don't let these fears deter you.
The effort you put into your dream job search will pay off in time.
You should always be on the lookout for your dream job, since it may reveal itself in unexpected ways.
Take Keith Taylor, for example.
He landed his ideal career after becoming frustrated with his position as a college professor.
He saved a small amount of money and offered it through the internet to anyone who had a critical need.
So many people saw Keith's web site that he started receiving thousands in contributions.
Through this turn of events, Keith established the non-profit Modest Needs Foundation (Modestneeds.
org), and nearly 50,000 people have donated money through his site.
Keith's satisfaction is a beacon for those hoping to land their dream jobs.
"We did a study and of the people who actually successfully reinvented their careers, many talk about personal fulfillment," says Mitchell.
"A good portion is making more money, but that wasn't a driver for why they were making a change.
The emotional fulfillment, the sense of confidence, the sense of passion for their work-those are the things they felt were the biggest payoffs.
" It's the emotional rewards that keep Tracy enthusiastic about her job.
"I needed to do something that would leave the world better than I found it," she says.
"At the end of the day, I know that I've really made a difference.
I know I've helped people through problems that plagued them their whole lives, and helped them become more functioning members of society.
" * name(s) have been changed.
To learn more about Finding Your Dream Job and to sign up to The First 30 Days daily email newsletter "Ariane's Change Secrets, visit http://www.
First30Days.
com.
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