By Lisa 
You actually can love your job. Promise.
“So, what do you want to do with your life?” “What’s your major?” “What kind of job are you looking for now that you have graduated?”
How many times have you been asked those questions and had that sinking moment when you realized the answer was “I have NO CLUE”? You never said that of course, but answered the usual things that sounded like you had it all figured out. Problem is that a mere second later knew you were lying, lying, lying. And mostly to yourself.
If you are like most people you probably really wanted to answer that you would like to inherit a few million, win the Mega Lottery, or at least invent a new app that allowed you to…well, not have to work at all.
Isn’t that a little sad? People spend 40-50 years working 5 days a week, and at least 8 hours a day. It is awful to realize that most people absolutely hate Mondays, tolerate Tuesday-Thursday, and finally are a little more happy on Friday (not much working, more planning the weekend) and Saturday. Sundays are the worst day because you start to realize that Monday is just a few hours away and the grind starts over. Five bad days and two decent days. Not a good way to spend the only life you have.
It doesn’t have to be that way, although most people settle for it.
So, barring the “yahoo, free money” route, what can you do to plan your life’s career so you don’t hate the majority of your waking hours?
The best way to have a great working life, one where you actually like working, is to find out what you are supposed to do. What you love to do.
But with all the bazillion choices out there, how? Four steps…
DREAM:
Dream a little. Take a walk, turn off the phone, get in your own head for an hour or so. What did you like to do when you were a kid? What makes time seem to fly by when you are doing it? What really, really makes you feel happy and accomplished?
Write down your dreams. What sort of jobs are there where you could get paid to live like your dreams? Would you work for someone else, or go out on your own?
ASSESS:
Assess your dreams against how to make a living doing them. Really think outside the box. Maybe you love playing football, but will never be an NFL football player. But maybe you love to coach high school football. Maybe you like to write and could be a sports writer. Maybe you love selling and could sell sports equipment. Maybe you have a great new idea for protective gear.
Look back at your dreams, and possibilities. Pick one. One.
PLAN:
Make a list of what you need to go for your dream job. More education? Seed money? Mentors?
What are your realistic possibilities for achieving your plan? Who can help you?
List your next steps.
DO:
Just do it. Don’t overthink. Don’t hesitate. Don’t take a week or say I’ll do it tomorrow. Take the first step, then the next one, then the next one.
Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. You CAN love your job!