Recently, I spoke to a thirty-year-old who felt like she was “behind” because she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career. She didn’t see herself as a success. Never mind that she is successful by most standards. She’s been a homeowner for five years, has a solid marriage, and is the mother of two healthy, fun loving kids. She has a winning smile, a stable job, and excellent health.

When I was her age, I had no idea what to be when I grew up. I’d been a babysitter, egg collector, and meat packager. I waitressed in classy restaurants and dive-y holes in the wall. Creative venues ranged from silk screening t-shirts to packing small explosives for an air-brush artist /drug dealer (the last part I didn’t know until he got busted.) There were grueling retail store hours, and high-paying gigs with short hours as a popular caricaturist.

After having moved for the thirtieth or thirty-first time, I took a couple of nightmarish factory jobs and a soul-draining term in collections. For years I kept some artistic side hustle going. It would be at least another ten years, and at least four (?) more jobs until I finally figured out “my dream job.” Even then, becoming a writer was never on my radar. Yet, here I am.

The fact that I call myself a writer—and do it for a living—must have my uppity high school teacher and second-semester English prof spinning in their graves.

Life is hilarious that way. 

What does this mean for you?

It isn’t always apparent what a dream job looks like. Not all successful people “know from the beginning” and the people around you cannot see into the future. That last sentence is worth repeating.

The people around us cannot see into the future. If they could, I would have been accepted into every college prep English class I signed up for in high school. I would have been shown the list of contests where I could enter my writing to win awards, prizes and even scholarships. They would have guided to the appropriate writing programs and best colleges.

If you haven’t found yet found your passion, consider trying mini-projects. Make soap, create skin care products, pour candles, knit kippa or write a few magazine articles. Your efforts won’t be wasted. At the very least, knowing what you don’t want to do for a career is still progress.

I became a writer at the best possible time. The computer age! “Cut and paste” rewrites that didn’t require retyping or wasting reams of paper. Your dream job may be in the future because the need is just now beginning to grow. Whatever you do, keep your hope alive and satisfy the small curiosities as best you can.

Incidentally, if you’re interested in writing books, but you’re not sure how to begin, sign up for your free 30-minute consultation to discuss our coaching options. I look forward to seeing you next time!