Dream Job

I grew up in the 80’s therefore I identify myself with the Generation X group. So my parenting, coaching and societal conditioning all pointed towards seeking an education and/or training for my greatest strengths and interests to “land my Dream Job”.

Well at the awesome age of 42 – I have not obtained that necessary education and training beyond 2 year college degree. I didn’t pay an institution to receive this or have a expensive piece of paper that has a “degree” on it stating that I earned it.

Never felt an overwhelming need for it. To me, it seemed silly.

In addition, I don’t possess a God-given talent that Americans are willing to pay for, as in sports, art, music, or other.

Despite this, I am a tax-paying, law abiding, somewhat happy, healthy, productive member of American society. I say somewhat because I’m not holistically happy and content in the work realm. I never have. Er, rather I have yet to feel that way.

Each and every job I’ve ever held, at some point, I’m asked: “Los, why are you here?”

I’m confused. I reply, “What do you mean? This is my job, it’s what I was hired to do.”

‘They’ will quip, “I understand that, but you don’t belong here.”

The first time I’ve had this conversation I was hurt. I have integrity, determination, a grateful attitude, and always seeking ways to improve myself or the results I produce.

But that’s the rub. “They” are speaking about the intangible. I’m a man that’s not in the correct time or place.

The reason why I’m not is simple: it’s not my Dream Job. What is my Dream Job? Up until today, I’ve searching for it.

I’ve built myself a life that most would be content with. I have job security with a company that is progressive, I purchased a house that’s being developed into a home with love and attention, and network of friends and family where I feel loved, and cherish, and at the very least I have a positive impact on my interactions with anyone.

Yet?

It’s still not enough. Why, you ask? Because it’s not my Dream Job. Again, as I said, I haven’t found it. Today, after speaking with a relative stranger, I realized I have no Dream Job.

That’s right – it simply doesn’t exist. At least for me. What I’m doing currently is surviving. I’m counting my days towards access to my 401(k) at the early age of 59 1/2. I just don’t think I was put on this planet to commute back and forth at a job, only to pay bills, try to eek out a life, retire and then die within 5 years of retirement.

That’s not right – again, at least for me.

So if I’m saying there’s no Dream Job for me, in addition what I’m doing is only surviving, what are my next steps?

With my new, self-proclaimed business consultant, I was asked this morning, “What would your Dream Job or business look like if you had to describe to me?”

And for the past 509 words, you know I’m not a loss for words to deliver my message. I couldn’t answer her inane question.

I joked, “I’m story teller. In any medium I dive into whether it’s writing, photography, videography, or in-person I seek to deliver a message through helpful, relevant information delicately blended with my anecdotes, experiences, and thoughts. I would love do that daily, yet get paid to do it.”

Her reply is succinct, but resonated with me, “Let’s work on that.”

I continued to joke as an automatic self-defense mechanism, “Could you imagine that? I’m interviewed for a #TEDtalks segment, or be something like Tony Robbins.”

“As a matter of fact,” she paused, “that’s exactly what I had in mind. You have that potential. That je ne sai quoi as you said to me earlier.”

We eventually hung up with the agreement that will be speaking on a regular basis. As I sat there in a comfy chair at the local Starbucks, I started thinking.

Since I don’t have an ideal job, because I stated before working someone else or a large institution doesn’t seem to be my best fit, what would be an ideal day for me? What would an ideal week? A year? A decade?

The key to most American business is duplication and scalability. Can you duplicate yourself, and your vision? Furthermore, can you expand it without it collapsing on itself. For example, the very damn Starbucks I was sitting in.

The corporation figured how to successfully duplicate itself, and expand globally.

In the same conversation, I joked with Catherine, “Instead of having to drag myself outta bed, drive to this coffeehouse, and get my own coffee, I dream that a nice personal assistant named Ashley/Brittany/Lindsey would bring me French press coffee, and an itinerary of tasks that I should be completing. Just like Tony Stark, minus the alcoholism, of course.”

My ideal day would be:

• Waking up without an alarm
• Working out
• Having a sensible breakfast
• Performing an outdoor activity such as working on my house, or playing geocaching
• Consuming a keto-based lunch
• Interacting with friends and/or family a positive way with a phone call or in-person meeting
• Continue to work on projects that make noise or require interacting with other humans
• Cooking, and creating a dinner that’s nutritious and delicious
• Walk into my home office, and fire up my computer to work until bed time

My ideal week would be:

• 2-4 days of my ideal day
• 2-3 days of self care

My ideal year would be:

• 40-45 weeks of my ideal weeks
• 15-17 weeks of traveling the world learning new ways to better shape my ideal day which is the building block to this vision

My ideal decade would be:

• 1-7 years of focused work on projects
• 3 years of self-care whether that be relaxation, or perceived relaxation, and/or fun

That seems to me to be my Dream Job. Who knows, it could be my nightmare.

Keep digging, as always,

‘los