Have you always wanted to be an author, musician or firefighter? Whatever your dream job may be, there’s no reason you can’t go after it even if you’re currently employed full-time.
Many people love their jobs and are happy with their current employment, but deep down, they often wish they could achieve more and go after their dreams.
You’ve been working for years, and now you feel you’re finally ready to go after that job you have dreamed of for years. However, you are too afraid to jump into your dream career because you are worried about what will happen if you quit your current job.
Additionally, your current job might occupy you so much that you have little time to look into your passions or potential new careers. If you plan and take advantage of your current position, the sky’s the limit when reaching for those dreams.
An overview of dream careers
A dream career is something that you’re passionate about and excited to wake up and do every day. It’s a career that allows you to use your talents and skills to their fullest potential.
Additionally, it’s a career that gives you a sense of satisfaction and happiness from helping others. For example, an active, advanced practice nurse practitioner might find fulfillment by working at a clinic helping young and older adults with acute illnesses.
They can pursue a post master’s AGACNP certification to achieve this particular goal in their career. Rockhurst University’s course is 100% online with one on-campus immersion and one virtual immersion, enabling students to make their studies work best for them.
You can take the course on your own time, when and where it fits into your schedule. Earning these credentials could lead to better pay and more opportunities for professional growth.
9 reasons why you should chase your dream career
Everyone has their own reasons why they are in the career that they are in, but not everyone truly loves it. If you’re unhappy with your current job or career path, here are some reasons why you should chase your dream career.
- Increases personal satisfaction
Personal satisfaction refers to feelings of fulfillment, happiness and success. People who find meaning in their work are more likely to be satisfied with their lives than those who don’t.
People will generally enjoy themselves more when they feel they are doing something important or contributing positively to society. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.
You are more likely to be engaged and excited about your career if it’s something you’re passionate about. When you’re passionate about your work, you’re more likely to be successful at it.
So, if you’re not happy with your current situation, make a change and pursue your dream career. It might seem scary or overwhelming initially but think of all the great opportunities that await you.
Your happiness will grow as you move towards achieving your goals. A fulfilling career can lead to an improved quality of life and increased self-esteem.
- Eliminates bad stress
A lot of people are in careers that they don’t love. They go to a job they hate daily, which affects them both mentally and physically.
For example, someone may hate their job but feel they have no other options due to finances or a lack of other skills. In that case, chasing their dream career can be an outlet for bad stress.
If you love what you do, you will never feel the same stress as someone who is unhappy with their current situation. However, if you are not in the right field of work or dissatisfied with how your job is going, this can lead to high-stress levels.
Working in a fulfilling and enjoyable job will reduce bad stress and allow for more time to enjoy life outside of work. It’s about finding something that suits your lifestyle, abilities and interests.
- To keep learning and improving
One of the best things about having a dream career is that it will continuously challenge you to keep learning and improving. You’ll never feel stuck in a rut because there will always be new things to learn and goals to strive to achieve.
For example, if you want to become an architect, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore different fields, such as design, construction management and urban planning.
These careers may offer even more opportunities to grow in your field. With so many paths to take, you’ll find yourself facing challenges daily.
- Improves mental health
People with a sense of purpose in their lives are more likely to report higher levels of satisfaction with their mental health. On the other hand, if you lack a sense of purpose, you’re more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
The feeling of living up to your potential is one of the most potent forms of happiness available. There’s nothing wrong with being average, but it reduces any fulfillment or motivation for life because you know there’s nothing exceptional about what you do daily.
Chasing your dream career means having a better quality of life and experiencing more joy, even when things get tough. It gives you something to work towards, so success doesn’t seem like such an elusive concept anymore.
A career change might not seem like the best decision to make right now, but it will help your mental state and make you happier. It’s always better to spend your time doing something that makes you happy rather than just because someone told you to.
- Reduces procrastination
One of the main reasons people procrastinate is because they lack confidence in their ability to achieve their goals. When you have a clear career goal that you’re passionate about, it’s much easier to stay motivated and avoid procrastination.
Having one definite goal will help you focus on what you need to do without second-guessing yourself or feeling distracted by other opportunities. It will also keep your motivation high, getting you closer to your dream job.
- Eliminates coping mechanisms
When you are working in a job you don’t like, you may rely on things such as alcohol or drugs to cope with the stress. However, these coping mechanisms only worsen the problem because they can lead to addiction and other serious consequences.
These effects may lead to long-term health problems that you could have avoided if you pursued a different line of work. Following your dream career eliminates the need for these coping mechanisms.
You will also feel happier and more satisfied with your life, which positively affects every aspect, including your physical health. When doing something you love, you don’t have to rely on alcohol or drugs to cope with life’s stresses.
It also improves your overall quality of life because you can do what you love daily. You will have an increased sense of self-worth, less depression and improved emotional and mental health.
- Life is short
You only have one life to live, so you might as well make it a life that you love. Why spend your time doing something that doesn’t make you happy?
If you have a dream career, go after it with everything you’ve got. Nothing is impossible if you do the work and don’t give up on yourself.
Make sure you’re not settling for less than what makes you happy. If you don’t chase your dreams, you’ll always wonder what could have been.
- Releases potential
You’ll never reach your full potential if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing. Everyone can do extraordinary things, so there’s no reason to settle for anything less than the best.
There are a lot of people who have the potential to be great at their dream career, but they never chase it. They get comfortable in their current situation and never put themselves out there.
Pursuing your dream career doesn’t have to be difficult if you find something that excites and inspires you. It will help if you explore all the options to be more prepared for what life throws at you.
- You could potentially earn more
People pursue careers they are passionate about because they want to earn more money. It’s not a guarantee, but if you work hard enough, you can land a high-paying position.
Even if you love your current job, there’s always the potential to earn more by chasing your dream career. If you’re unhappy with your current salary or feel like you could be making more, it’s worth considering a change.
Obstacles that keep you from changing careers and how to overcome them
Changing careers may seem easy to some, but the truth is that it’s more complicated than it looks. As you attempt to make the change, you may encounter one or more of these obstacles.
- You’re too comfortable
Many people stay in their current jobs because they’re comfortable. They have a routine, know what to expect and change might be scary to them.
But being comfortable isn’t a good enough reason to stay in a job that makes you unhappy. If you’re thinking about making a change, don’t let comfort hold you back.
Figure out how to make the change less scary by slowly transitioning into your new career one step at a time. For example, find a part-time gig or volunteer for an organization related to your dream career until you feel more confident about leaving your current position.
- Fear of failure
Fear of failure is one of the biggest obstacles that can keep you from changing careers. It’s natural to worry that you won’t be successful in a new field.
However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences failure at some point. The key is to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.
Remember that there are no guarantees when you change careers. However, if you take risks and follow your passion, you might achieve more than expected.
- Lack of mentors and role models
Mentors and role models are essential in helping people take risks and explore new opportunities. Without them, it can be challenging to find out what careers are available or which career path is best for you.
You may find yourself afraid to make a career change without having someone who can guide you through the process. To overcome this obstacle, try networking with your friends, family members and colleagues — anyone who may have some experience with different professions.
Another option is to seek professional advice by attending job fairs and company events where you might meet representatives from companies specializing in fields that interest you.
- Lack of actionable information
One of the main reasons people don’t make a career change is because they lack enough information about their desired field. They might not know the steps to take or the industry.
This scenario might make someone reluctant even to try making a career change. It might be due to a lack of research, insecurities or concerns about whether you’re doing the right thing.
The first step in overcoming this obstacle is researching your desired profession by reading blogs and articles online and talking with professionals in the field.
Once you have more information, start taking steps toward achieving it so that it won’t seem as intimidating when you’re ready to make a change.
- A fixed mindset
A fixed mindset is when you believe your abilities and talents are set in stone and cannot be changed. This mindset can make it seem like changing careers would be a waste of time because you’ll never be good at anything else.
For example, if someone has spent their whole life as an artist, they may think they’ll never be able to do anything else well. These thoughts can lead to someone giving up on their dreams before they even start.
You should recognize that these thoughts are just excuses meant to protect you from taking risks. Everyone can learn and grow, regardless of their age or experience level.
- Not setting goals
Without specific, achievable goals, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up on your career change before you even start. To set yourself up for success, sit down and write out your goals for making the switch.
Be as specific as possible, and make sure your goals are achievable. Then, create a timeline for yourself and put together a step-by-step plan for how you’ll achieve those goals.
That way, you’ll have something to work towards every day, and there will be less chance of losing steam or motivation.
- Focusing on what you lack
Another major obstacle that keeps people from changing careers is focusing on what they lack instead of what they have. Whether you lack work experience, a bachelor’s degree or relevant skills for your desired career path, it’s easy to focus on these shortcomings.
As a result, you may turn them into excuses for why you shouldn’t pursue your dream job. Instead, take some time to focus on the things you have and how much potential they bring to your life.
For example, if you’re trying to become a freelance writer but don’t have any published articles under your belt, start writing on your website. This way, you’ll not only be getting valuable experience but also building a portfolio of work you can use when pitching new clients.
- Procrastination
Procrastination refers to the act of postponing or delaying a task that is deemed unpleasant. It can affect anyone at any time and in any situation.
Regarding making a career change, procrastination becomes especially problematic because it prevents you from being proactive about your future goals. For instance, if you’re waiting for an opportunity to present itself before taking action, then it may never happen.
It would be best if you took responsibility by proactively pursuing opportunities leading to greater fulfillment. You may overcome procrastination by using calendar reminders or creating lists of all the steps necessary to make a change.
- Balancing family and career
Many people have family obligations that make it difficult to pick up and change careers. For example, if you have young children at home, taking on a new job requiring travel or extended hours may not be possible.
Also, if you’re caring for elderly parents, you may need a career that allows you to work from home or have a flexible schedule. Whatever your reasons are for staying put, it’s essential to know how much of an impact it could have on your future.
The key is to try and make the best of the situation. You can think about ways to still pursue your interests outside of your current occupation or use what you do now as a stepping stone.
Wrapping up
Chasing your dream career is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor that will improve your quality of life and help you make a difference in the world. You only have one shot at life, so take a chance and live out your dreams.
There’s no guarantee you’ll be happy in any profession, so don’t settle for anything less than what you want. Explore what interests you most because it can take time before you find your true calling.
Finally, if something stops you from taking this leap, work on tackling those obstacles first, so fewer things are in your way.
