Ask Sue
A Weekly Q&A Column About Professionalism, Etiquette and Problems in the Workplace
by Sue Morem

Find Your Dream Job

Dear Sue: I can’t seem to find a job I like. I’d like to find a job I enjoy going to each day, but even though the positions I accept seem promising at the time, they never end up being as enjoyable as I anticipated. I’d like to get more out of my job than a paycheck. Should I keep looking until I find the perfect job for me or is it possible it doesn’t exist?

-- Looking for my dream job

Sue Says: Few people have a perfect job. If asked, most anyone can find a thing or two they’d like to change. Few jobs provide pure enjoyment; after all, it’s called “work” for a reason!. Yet many people enjoy their jobs and look forward to going to work each day. .

You know you don’t like the jobs you’ve had, but do you know why? Are there aspects of each job that you do like? Try to identify what is missing and what you think would make a job more enjoyable for you.

Some people love every job they have, not because each job is perfect, but because they feel good about the job they have and the work they do. A job is just a job; what you bring to that job can make a difference, with the biggest contributor being your mindset.

If you are looking to get more than a paycheck then look beyond the money you make and the tasks you perform to find greater meaning in what you do. Think about the purpose of your job; who and what is impacted by what you do? What are you contributing to your organization and to others? Every job and every person in an organization is important. When you understand the difference you can make, you might feel differently about going to work each day.

As you have discovered, there is more to get out of a job than just a paycheck. Although some jobs are better than others, no job will ever satisfy you until you know what you want and are satisfied with yourself.

Get clear about what you are looking for. You must know what you want and focus on it in order to have it. Create your vision, spread the word and look for new opportunities.

Sue Morem is a professional speaker, trainer and syndicated columnist. She is author of the newly released 101 Tips for Graduates and How to Gain the Professional Edge, Second Edition. You can contact her by email at asksue@suemorem.com or visit her web site at http://www.suemorem.com. 

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