What Pipe Dream Have You Discounted?
Layoffs have placed many people in the job market. With the economic pressures and increase in unemployment, creativity will help you land a job sooner than sitting at home wondering how you got there. I can tell you from personal experience that sometimes you have to look at what else you are capable of doing, or what it is you always wanted to do - your dream job. Stop and think about that for a moment. When you were little, or maybe just a little younger, I know you had some dreams of what you wanted to do. What is it? What have you pushed out of your mind? Maybe you actually think it is too late. Blow the dust off that dream and take another look. Maybe this is your time.
My post on being Laid Off, Now What attracted some comments. Danny Thompson found himself laid off and today he is working his dream job. Take a look at his comment and see what you think.
Danny Thompson: "…what job have you discounted as a pipe dream?
I was a veteran in the hotel biz when I was “let go.” The money was good, and I had a solid track record, but my heart wasn’t in it. Once I was out, I had a hard time with the realization that I didn’t want to go back. I wanted to be a writer. I did my research and homework and, in less than two months, I was working as a writer for an ad agency…even though I had no experience or formal training for the job. Getting fired sucks, there’s no doubt about it. But don’t let that terrible feeling blind you to the possibilities that exist. And as for taking a pay cut…since I had no experience, the job required me to take a $13K pay cut [well…actually that’s not true, since I was now making exactly $0K per year ;) ]. But I loved the work and was good at it, and within two years I was making 50% more than I had been as a Hotel GM. As scary as it is, your future is a blank canvas. And it’s easier to take that leap of faith when you’ve already hit rock bottom."
I don’t think that Danny’s story is unique in as much as I believe that it can happen for anyone. Take some time as you develop your job search strategy and write down your "pipe dream". I dare you to pursue it in the midst of this crazy economy. I bet if you make a serious effort to step into a new place, you will find that there is a potential opportunity for you to do something different. You are not at the mercy of the economy. The only limitation is your willingness to RISK, to step out there and see if there might be an open door that will allow you to do something you love and at the same time, employ you so that you successfully navigate the madness of our unemployment rates and the economic pressures that we are facing as a nation. If you decide to take me up on my challenge, please come back and share your story!! Have fun!
Tags: Interview Chatter, Danny Thompson, Dream, Pipe Dream, Job Search, Job, Risk, Laid Off, Economy, Economic
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POSTED IN: Career Options, Coach's Cornor
5 opinions for What Pipe Dream Have You Discounted?
Jason Monastra
Nov 17, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I applaud the enthusiasm, but I wonder for how many people this is a possibility. For most, paying their monthly bills and making ends meet is the sum of their existence when it comes to work. How would these people come to know their dream job? I would be interested in a plan that makes exploring such possibilities for people a reality. Let me know what your thoughts are on making this happen.
Darlene McDaniel
Nov 17, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Hi Jason!! I love a challenge. I think I will use your question for a post later this week. Stay tuned!!
Scot Herrick
Nov 18, 2008 at 3:23 am
I don’t want to discount going for a dream. But there is way too much of ‘getting laid off’ that is affected by where people are in their lives.
In the US, if your spouse is laid off and you are in a job you hate, are you willing to spend $1200 a month for health insurance for your family just to pursue your dream?
If you are laid off and you don’t have a year’s worth of take-home pay in the bank, how effective are you going to be working your dream while stressing over the mortgage?
All dreams are individual. And timing makes a difference. So do circumstances.
I’m not wanting to be negative on this, but this is a bit idealistic given the economic circumstances (from someone who is working the dream right now!).
All dreams, like politics, is local. It depends on our individual circumstances and we should be working to get the circumstances right. Not just do it.
Darlene McDaniel
Nov 18, 2008 at 7:27 am
Hey Scot, thanks for stopping by and “piping in” :)!
I appreciate your point. My purpose in sharing this post is about options and about looking at the economic challenges from a more optimistic lens. There are lots of people out there writing about how bad it is. Is it bad? Absolutely! I am not out of touch. I just want to give options that people may not be considering. The Pipe Dream may not work for everyone who finds them self in the crunch for employment. But there are some people out there that can step through the door of making a go at their dream job. More to come on this topic. Thanks for stopping by!
Pipe Dream Strategy - Do You Have You One?
Nov 19, 2008 at 2:04 am
[...] What Pipe Dream Have You Discounted? Is a recent post I wrote a few days ago. It was birthed out of a comment from one of my readers. As a result of that post, I am writing this post as a follow-up. [...]
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