You must have heard the news that people with day jobs—most of them are unhappy. And the rest of the aspiring students wonder what will happen to them—day jobs provide stability, and that’s what you wanted and dreamt about to study from that specific university, dreamt of majoring in that specific subject, and all this you did to eventually find one day uninteresting. That’s not fair, isn’t it? But don’t you think it’s a crime to have just one dream? Or is it our perspective that we ought to think that the grass is greener on the other side? Maybe it could be a lack of gratitude or a mindset issue, or maybe many layered reasons, or everything altogether?
HERE ARE THE TOP THREE CAREER TIPS TO UPGRADE YOUR CAREER JOURNEY:
- Take a leap of faith with clarity either to do completely what you like—a big jump or master skills that are close to your career niche.
- Go beyond likes and dislikes and pragmatic future planning.
- Change in perspective and side hustles—your attitude and mindset for manifesting a joyful life.
I have one acquaintance who did architecture for a living for a brief amount of time to realise that this was not what she was interested in. But we all have been exposed to the traditional way of schooling and getting degrees into what was relevant and tangible 20–40 years ago. But now we have so many options to pursue what was unimaginable back in the day. The 21st century seems like a boon for artists across the globe; so many artists are flourishing and enjoying their dream lives thanks to technology!
IT’S CRIME TO HAVE JUST ONE DREAM, ISN’T IT?
- I would suggest just not completely abandoning what you were doing. I have personally implemented that if we work somewhere close to its sisterly field, like, for example, mass media communications and journalism are quite related and sisterly fields. Another example would be animation, VFX, and video editing would be related, and for her example, I guess architecture and interior designing or any sort of designing nowadays we have many options like clay modelling, fashion designing, aesthetics, etc. all seem like a good fit; maybe there could be more to it—people in the fields might know better than me, of course.
When I was at my crossroads, I felt like I was in the same shoes—fixed and adamant to do what I only like and distance from what I don’t. This way of living where drawing heavy boundaries could be because of rigid belief systems that could really be damaging, and if something totally different one wants to do then yes, you should pursue it even if that provides less money, and here comes the blockage, but maybe you could be earning better as you will be happier, and you could also earn more time and more freedom.
You see, society was and is status-driven; now people are breaking those stereotypes and enjoying a minimalistic mindfulness lifestyle, which is safer for Earth. But sticking to one rigid belief system that is no longer relevant can destroy mental health in harsh ways. Back then, people used to have just one option, which was family business or what families were skilled in, and the same things were passed on through the generations. Now that we have so many options, we are bound to get confused. Also, we were used to linear practices where we used to live in extreme ways, like, for example, women would only cook and men would only provide, but all these stereotypes are breaking, but even today, if work is not managed properly, it could be taxing to do everything all on your own. Also, to become flexible with our time and career, we need to work on our belief systems which demand a growth mindset. For example, statements we can affirm that truly uplift us, like “I am living my dream life” and “I am aligned.”
2. It is important to go beyond likes and dislikes; you need to stop judging things that don’t need judgement. Some duties one has to do that help us grow emotionally and financially independent. There are layers to it; when we go beyond likes and dislikes, we grow trust within ourselves and others as well. When we strive to go beyond what was famous back then, statements like “People are lucky who enjoy what they like; their passion is their job; their work is like their vacation.” These notions could be true, and all dreamers want to subscribe to them, but they didn’t realise or reach in just a snap. I want to double-tap on what I am saying; they did go through trials and errors to finally live that life. I personally did multiple switches to know who I am, what works, and what I enjoy. The thing is, people don’t like to share their struggles on social media. People share their success because that’s what we all want to see even now for the majority, and what we want to see is that’s what we are fed but now that some people are genuinely discussing and sharing their struggling days, which is really inspiring and empowering.
When we hear about unemployment and rising dissatisfaction amongst people with careers, we have to step down to what status used to demand. Just getting into action, volunteering opportunities are there that may not pay but help to build your belief system flexibly because we learn best from just observing. When you invest your time in earning whatever basic that pays you, you develop unconditional love for yourself. Keep excelling and improving your skills, whether it’s hard skills or soft skills. When you earn, invest your time in learning to live with integrity and self-respect, and eventually be grateful for every single low of your life that makes you strong; it helps one build perseverance and resilience.
3. We need to inculcate gratefulness and a gratitude attitude. You have to experiment and affirm, “I love what I am doing.” “I enjoy what I am doing.” Because there is really nothing glamorous about that one specific career. All career fields are important; also affirm that I love and am passionate about these things, but I don’t dislike what I am currently doing; I like what I am doing, and I also enjoy what I am doing. And I am grateful for it since it helps me to pay my bills.
Maybe you don’t need a career switch but a perspective change, as many wonder why they feel unfulfilled. You can do side hustles that help you discover more about yourself. It could be learning something new hobby, just athletic sports, or helping people with teaching, coaching for free, conducting donations, sharing one-fourth of your income for the underprivileged, also devoting your valuable time, etc. Making new friends, a new circle of people, something beyond your old habits, gauging, discerning yet constantly working on your morals, values, etc. If it allows you to grow overall, whatever your life demands, you must aspire for it, and what we want is a peaceful day-to-day life.
It is easier said than done since our belief systems are formed in the environment we are born in and the world we surround ourselves with as we grow up; it’s like a tiny world of our own. Doing something great could be overwhelming for you and others; it could be a lone journey, also it could be a difficult journey too. Also coming out of difficult childhood or adults exposed to faulty beliefs, there is a chance to settle down to notions like this is how the world works, etc. But I promise, even if it is about going against the winds or running inside the water, meaning going against your belief system for your betterment, and eventually society requires courage and strength. If you start your day with strong affirmations and improve your self-talk, I promise, you will literally feel like you’re not dreaming but actually living it. Affirm this: “I am living my dream life already. I am aligned with my journey. I love my life; I enjoy my life.”