Looking further into the readings of week 1, Cal Newport made numerous blogs and videos engaging with audiences the negativity of the “dream job” ideals. I decided to look externally at other individuals ideas on this topic and I came across Debra Donston-Miller who covers work-life issues and difficult job-search situations for TheLadders. Her blog post titled “when following your dream job is a bad idea”

Referring to Sally Palaian a licensed psychologist, she indicates that many people set out to find their dream job, yet none have considered is realistically and come to her when their lives are negatively impacted. She emphasises the importance of seeking help and outside perspective before searching for this “bliss” dream job, especially in the means of financial stability. We get the idea that searching for ideal job isn’t worth it if you end up with an unstable family life due to debt and this results in a dream job that is in fact a nightmare. The financial struggle is the core idea discussed throughout this post, it seems that a solid financial foundation is important otherwise the outcome will be negative.

I have been thinking about this “dream job” idea a lot recently and whilst I understand that it’s important to consider you finances before jumping right into a new job. For example starting a new business that has the possibility to go in debt and you have no financial stability for if and when that occurs. However there is a strong part of me that thinks this is quit limiting, why let finance hold you back. If you don’t try to achieve this dream job, what are you really aiming for in your work life? yes, perhaps you will fail but there is always another way to make money, find another job, get a smaller house, live a simpler lifestyle. My dream job has always been to work for National Geographic or something similar, to work behind the scenes of the TV programs. This is simply a goal, a goal that may not be achieved, but a goal that will fuel me to work hard at my studies and my future jobs in the hope that I will end up doing something that I love.

Interestingly enough to conclude her blog post Miller relates her perspective back to what Dorothy learns at the end of “Wizard of Oz”, which perhaps describes how our true bliss is really things that are already surrounding us, friends, family life, achievements in sport and hobbies.

“If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”

However from my perspective yes our ‘bliss’ can include these simpler things in life but I also think the goal of a dream job is important in our work life to gain direction and passion along the way.