Cal Newport
It was really interesting to me to read Cal Newport’s work as the subject is something I’ve considered at various points but never really put that much thought into.
A “dream job” is often thought to be something extravagant, like being a pro surfer or a tap dancer or even just a freelance writer. It’s someones passion that they are invested far enough in to pursue a career. I agree with Newport that pursuing this dream job, for some, can be a terrible terrible idea. When doing the reading I had to go back and double check I hadn’t misread that an attorney quit his job to open a Brazilian surf shop. I mean, sure there’s a chance that could work out very well but it just doesn’t seem likely. In reality, I don’t think your dream job has to be related to a creative or other type of passion, it can be anything you enjoy doing that provides you with the resources you need to live a lifestyle you’re suited to.
My mum currently has her dream job. I won’t go too deep into her thrilling backstory (although it may come out over the period I keep this blog), but to cut a long story short as a child she was a very very talented ballet dancer with a promising future. As a teenager, she hit puberty (as most people do) and started hanging out with the “cool” kids at school (I don’t have proof but “Puberty Blues” is about my mum) her dreams of being a ballerina were both crushed and abandoned. She now works as an Executive Assistant at a company she loves. The job is well suited to her, she’s close to home, gets a long very well with her colleagues and a very reasonable income. I’m sure in her heart of hearts she would still love to be a ballet dancer (as indicated by the literal ballet bar in our hallway) but she has found her dream job and is very happy in it.
This post feels very rambly and vague to me but it’s my first one so I guess the only way is up.