Q:  What are you going to do about it?

Think about that question at the deepest possible level.  Let it rumble around inside you awhile, think about it while you have a cup of coffee and stare off into the lake, or have it jostle in the noggin a bit while you run a lap or two around the block.

What are you going to do about it?

And, come on… you know what it is, right?  It’s that thing that’s been eating at you for months or years… it’s the job you hate, or the relationship you need to change, or the place you’re at in your life right now.

Okay, one more time:  What are you going to do about it?

Next step?

Yours.

Respond and let me know what actions you’re taking.

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Here’s a private email I received the other day, from a writer I’ll call Charlie.  Any ideas on how to help him?

Hi Michael:

I just want to say I find that your blog is very useful to me in my attempt to find the truth of my inner self. Many of the topics you discuss resonate in my search for passion.  I find it ironic that many of the people you quote I follow as well.  My gut said I had to reach to out you particularly since you reside in the Orlando area as well.

I moved to Lake Mary about 8 months from Tulsa, Oklahoma for a new job but was just recently downsized. It was a shock to me since I have enjoyed business success to a fault.  My mindset was always about work, taking no time to enjoy what life has to offer.

Only within the last few months have I had an awakening.  I’ve realized that I’ve been seduced into working for all the wrong reasons instead of something that is part of you, full of enjoyment and passion.

My challenge is unlocking myself and taking that first step forward.  I would appreciate any advice you have for me.  I’m only 35 years old and believe now more than ever that it’s time to change.

Best Regards,

Charlie Gaines

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Wanna find your work passion?

All sorts of ways to do that, and one of my goals here is to expose you to some of those.

Here’s one about a recent college grad who recently completed his quest to try 52 different occupations in a year.

Read about it, think about it.

If you still don’t have a clue about what your life’s work is meant to be, might you try a variation of this?

• Volunteer every Saturday at 52 different places?
• Line up 52 businesses to let you shadow them every Thursday evening?
• Spend every Saturday morning at the library for the next 15 weeks writing up a profile of 15 cool sounding jobs?

You get the idea.  Do it.

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Fortune favors those who act.

Fortune especially favors those who act fast. 

So pull the trigger and fire.

Then you’ll know how you should adjust your aim afterwards.

So says Brian Kim, and I think he’s 100 percent spot on.

Sitting on the sidelines keeps you on the sidelines.  Take a step or two, just that, toward your dream job, and then take another next week or next month.  But, keep moving forward.

How may I help you?

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Are you going in so many directions that you don’t have time to think about your dream job, let alone actually trying to do something about it?

My friends over at Common Craft (who do some of the most amazingly “simple” instructional videos I’ve ever seen) have hit a serious home run to deep center field with a piece on the things that have simplified their work-at-home lives.

They’ve given me pause to think about my own life and how I run my businesses.

Really good stuff.  Check ‘er out.

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Business Week recently ran a story, based on reader submissions, about the design and use of home offices.

While the offices they show are interesting, I think that what’s more important here is how the entrepreneurs in the story have weaved their lives, careers (dare I say it? — dream jobs), and work spaces into one tapestry.

Check ‘er out.  Good idea fodder.

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I wish I would have followed my instincts earlier in my career rather than looking for others’ approval.  While it’s easy for people to be their greatest critics, it took me years to become my own advocate.

Ellen Langas Campbell, President, NouSoma Communications and author of the Girls Know How book series

Source:  Success Magazine

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Here’s an interesting article for every manly-man out there who’s looking for a cool job.

• Brew Master
• Casino Host
• Ice Cream Creator
• Toy Creator
• Video Game Designer
• Comic Book Guru

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From the “if they could do it, I could do it too” file . . .

Check out this interesting article at Yahoo about a few people who’ve created businesses with unique ideas.

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A lot of career and success writers, coaches, and self-appointed gurus will tell you to follow your passion when going after what you want.

You know the scenario: Follow your passion and the money will follow.

Well, there are lots of folks who’ve followed their passions all the way to the poor house.

So, what’s the regular Dream Job Seeker to do?

Scott Allen’s got a really good bit of advice about this over at About.com.

Good stuff; check ‘er out.

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