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take a small step toward pursuing that dream now (without walking it back to something that doesn’t resemble your dream at all)?
Financial and Family Considerations
-What do you absolutely need to earn for your budget and to make working worthwhile?
-What does this season of your life look like? What are the responsibilities that you have to maintain, and where can you make more room for your aspirations? (Don’t judge yourself, and remember this season will also change.)
Work Patterns
-What kind of schedule do you want (and need)?
-Do you enjoy working as a part of a team or a community? Or are you happiest when you can complete most of the tasks on your own?
Once you figure out what you want, it’s time to make a plan:
Set a budget. Figure out if you are going to need funds to float you while you pursue this change, or if you need start-up money.
Start now, start small. Give yourself something small that you can do daily or weekly to move forward instead of waiting on that dream until it is perfect.
Set SMART goals. See the June MSEJ for tips, and set SMART goals that track toward your long-term dreams. Check back in on them regularly. Have a monthly appointment with yourself to stay accountable.
Communicate. Let your support system know what you are doing to work toward your dreams so that you can be accountable to more than yourself.
Get Organized. If you are creating résumés and cover letters, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Make yourself a daily minimum list, and cross off one line at a time.
Make mindful changes. In your résumé, find the strong points that carry over to the direction you want to go in, and pursue new experiences with care. Look for free training, research educational options, and try to find positions where you can gain relevant experience.
While there is a time and a place for doing what you have to do, there should also be room for joy in your work life. You don’t have to completely reinvent yourself (though that’s also a valid option)—you just have to open the door to asking new questions.