... well, before I tell you what it is, let's define stable.

When something is stable, it is not likely to change. All my life, I've been raised to believe that stability is a good thing - stable job, stable relationship, stable government - but is it really?

If we think there will be a change for the worse, it is easy to understand the appeal of stability but isn't that like throwing the baby out with the bath water? Just because a person is afraid of a negative change, does that mean we should resist all change including the positive. Perhaps we don't realize that when we pursue stability, we are actually giving up possibilities for growth.

If I stop growing, I will put myself in a very dangerous situation because there are people out there who continue to grow. How many people took stable jobs just to find out that their jobs are being outsourced and they haven't kept their skills up to date to effectively find new jobs? How many people continue to take "stable" jobs (not sure if there are many left but pharmacists and accountants still comes to mind) thinking that their life is set?

The one thing I have learned from the unemployed pilots, lawyers and factory workers in the US is that it is risky to be stable because things change. The one certainty in life is that things will change and for those who seek comfort in stability, please remember that the faster change comes the riskier stability becomes.

My advice is to trade stability for flexibility. Learn skills that will help you stay marketable (I am currently learning to computer program, click here to find free courses to sign up for). Always think about how you can improve the way you add value for other people. As long as you are doing something valuable, you'll always be able to find someone to pay you to do it for them.

Don't stop learning.

The post It is Risky to be Stable because… appeared first on Embrace Possibility.

"I want to go for my dream job but I have (fill in obligation - i.e. bills to pay, family to feed, etc.)"

and my answer is:

"I understand. Your dream job can only be your dream job if it fulfills all your wants and needs."

Before you roll your eyes or start booing, let me elaborate.

This question usually comes up in  the beginning of the workshop when I ask the participants if there are willing to commit to pursuing their dream job if they find it.

As with most people, the answer is an obvious "yes" but realistically speaking a resounding "no" because there are bills to pay or mouths to feed. This mindset is the main reason people don't commit to or even think about getting their dream job.

This is the common misconception of a dream job. People believe a dream job is a job where you are doing what you want to do (i.e. I want to be a teacher) but that is only a small factor in what goes in your dream job. A real dream job should take into account your financial goals, the work environment, the people you will be working with in addition to your interests, strengths and personality. It is your dream job because it allows you to live the life you want. If you want to be a teacher and be rich, your dream job is not teaching elementary school.

In the Know What You Want Workshop, we focus on first identifying who you are, then giving you the strategies to research the types of jobs that will fit your criteria and lastly teaching the method to transition from where you are currently at to where you want to be.

If you don't want to or can't afford to take a workshop, you can apply these steps on your own as well. Two great books for this process is "The Pathfinder" by Nicholas Lore and "What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles.

I hope this has open up the possibility for you to pursue your dream job!

For more information about the Know What You Want Workshop, contact me by clicking here.

The post Why Getting Your Dream Job is More Realistic Than You Think appeared first on Embrace Possibility.