When Your Dream Job Isn't Enough
by Erin Suess
You have searched over and over again for your dream job and found it or are just one of the lucky
few that have always worked in a career you loved. However, you still feel like something is
missing. You may have always thought that once you found that dream job or could finally work
under your ideal conditions life would be great. You could finally get up in the morning and not
dread going into work because you are doing something that you actually love to do. You would not
have to worry anymore about that overbearing boss or unreliable co-workers. If you still had to work
long hours it would not be all bad because you love what you do and it does not "feel" like work. All
these points may be true but you cannot shake the feeling that there is something much deeper
than work.
Most of us want to be happy in both our work and life. However, the two go hand in hand and if you
are unhappy in one area you will most likely feel pretty low in the other area. There is so much
overlap with both our personal and work lives it is almost impossible to separate. It is for this
reason that many of us come to a turning point in our lives. When we take time to truly reflect on our
lives and do some soul searching we find something is lacking. But what is it that is missing? If
we have everything we said we wanted why do we still feel this sense of restlessness?
Most likely it is because you have not found your true purpose in life. Striving for and receiving the
things you thought you wanted was probably on a superficial level. Most of us think if we have "that
job," "that house," "that car" or "that lifestyle" we will be happy. The fact of the matter is we have
failed to look inside of ourselves to find what truly makes us happy. What brings us pure joy and
makes us content? The answer to this question is different for everyone. However, there are a few
steps you can take to help create genuine happiness and joy in your life.
• Sit quietly or meditate a few times a day and quiet your mind. Listen to what your inner guidance
is telling you. This may feel uncomfortable at first especially if you have never done it before, but
make it point to do it twice a day for 20 minutes on a consistent basis and you will be amazed at
the results. For many it feels like a weight has been lifted and a sense of clarity has developed.
They start letting go of all this "stuff" and start living the life they were meant to live.
• Free write and answer this question "What is my mission or purpose in life?" Free writing is
writing for a period of time about 10-20 minutes and writing whatever comes to your mind. You do
not correct any errors or think about what you are writing but simply write what comes to mind. After
completing this exercise read through your responses. Most likely (especially after you go down
the paper a ways) you have written something that is profound and resonates inside of you. For
some it can feel overpowering and for others it can bring tears to their eyes. In all likelihood this is
your life's purpose.
• Identify and live by your values. Spend some time reflecting on your values-the essence of who
you are. What is it that you value? What words do you feel represent who you are? What MUST you
have in your life to feel fulfilled? Once you determine your values rank them in priority order and
indicate if you are currently living your life according to these values. If you find you are not living
according to your values then start honoring your values today. Before making any decisions be
sure to review your list of values to ensure everything you do is in accordance with who you are.
• Answer this question "At the end of your life, what do you want people to say about you at your
funeral?" Be specific.
Living your true purpose comes from within. Once you can stop looking to material things or the
outer world for satisfaction you can dig deep and find what is at the core of your being.
"The most common ego identifications have to do with possessions, the work you do, social
status and recognition, knowledge and education, physical appearance, special abilities,
relationships, person and family history, belief systems, and often also political, nationalistic,
racial, religious, and other collective identifications. None of these is you." -Eckhart Tolle
by Erin Suess
You have searched over and over again for your dream job and found it or are just one of the lucky
few that have always worked in a career you loved. However, you still feel like something is
missing. You may have always thought that once you found that dream job or could finally work
under your ideal conditions life would be great. You could finally get up in the morning and not
dread going into work because you are doing something that you actually love to do. You would not
have to worry anymore about that overbearing boss or unreliable co-workers. If you still had to work
long hours it would not be all bad because you love what you do and it does not "feel" like work. All
these points may be true but you cannot shake the feeling that there is something much deeper
than work.
Most of us want to be happy in both our work and life. However, the two go hand in hand and if you
are unhappy in one area you will most likely feel pretty low in the other area. There is so much
overlap with both our personal and work lives it is almost impossible to separate. It is for this
reason that many of us come to a turning point in our lives. When we take time to truly reflect on our
lives and do some soul searching we find something is lacking. But what is it that is missing? If
we have everything we said we wanted why do we still feel this sense of restlessness?
Most likely it is because you have not found your true purpose in life. Striving for and receiving the
things you thought you wanted was probably on a superficial level. Most of us think if we have "that
job," "that house," "that car" or "that lifestyle" we will be happy. The fact of the matter is we have
failed to look inside of ourselves to find what truly makes us happy. What brings us pure joy and
makes us content? The answer to this question is different for everyone. However, there are a few
steps you can take to help create genuine happiness and joy in your life.
• Sit quietly or meditate a few times a day and quiet your mind. Listen to what your inner guidance
is telling you. This may feel uncomfortable at first especially if you have never done it before, but
make it point to do it twice a day for 20 minutes on a consistent basis and you will be amazed at
the results. For many it feels like a weight has been lifted and a sense of clarity has developed.
They start letting go of all this "stuff" and start living the life they were meant to live.
• Free write and answer this question "What is my mission or purpose in life?" Free writing is
writing for a period of time about 10-20 minutes and writing whatever comes to your mind. You do
not correct any errors or think about what you are writing but simply write what comes to mind. After
completing this exercise read through your responses. Most likely (especially after you go down
the paper a ways) you have written something that is profound and resonates inside of you. For
some it can feel overpowering and for others it can bring tears to their eyes. In all likelihood this is
your life's purpose.
• Identify and live by your values. Spend some time reflecting on your values-the essence of who
you are. What is it that you value? What words do you feel represent who you are? What MUST you
have in your life to feel fulfilled? Once you determine your values rank them in priority order and
indicate if you are currently living your life according to these values. If you find you are not living
according to your values then start honoring your values today. Before making any decisions be
sure to review your list of values to ensure everything you do is in accordance with who you are.
• Answer this question "At the end of your life, what do you want people to say about you at your
funeral?" Be specific.
Living your true purpose comes from within. Once you can stop looking to material things or the
outer world for satisfaction you can dig deep and find what is at the core of your being.
"The most common ego identifications have to do with possessions, the work you do, social
status and recognition, knowledge and education, physical appearance, special abilities,
relationships, person and family history, belief systems, and often also political, nationalistic,
racial, religious, and other collective identifications. None of these is you." -Eckhart Tolle
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