Don’t Find a Dream Job, Find a Mission
By the most basic definition of a dream (most desirable; ideal), dream job doesn’t exist.
You’ll always dislike something about a job — time-consuming, unnecessary meetings, presentations and reports, quota, talking to colleagues you don’t vibe, commute. You can think of one thing you don’t like about your job, for sure. I dare you.
For all you know, your idea of your dream job may not be what you thought it’ll be. Once you get a taste of it, you may realize it wasn’t dreamy, after all.
So quit thinking about your dream job. All the benefits attached to it — health card, vacation/sick leave, 13th-month bonus, travel opportunities, even pay — aren’t correlated to your job satisfaction/happiness according to a Harvard Business Review.
What gives you that rush of fulfillment and happiness then? Your sense of purpose.
Find a mission.
How do you find a mission?
Answer these questions:
What do you like about your job? (passion)
What is it that you think you do really well? (strength)
What do other people say that you do really well? (strength)
Which part do you enjoy? (passion)
Find the sweet spot amidst your answers, find a pattern, and you would’ve found your mission. Whatever is your mission, therein lies the right job for you!
How to get that job then are all just details.
If you’re in the middle of a career crisis, then this is your urgent homework.
Find the mission and forget the job title. — Celeste Headlee

If “I don’t know what to do with my life!” is your battle cry lately, you may want to get this Design Your Life’s Work Worksheet here. It’s free!