The ultimate goal of life is not knowledge but action (Thomas Henry Huxley)
You can learn something from every book. One of the books I read the other day is "Your Unknown Abilities" by Anthony Robbins. It inspired me to think differently about some things and to take action. I am happy to share my insights with you!
Achieving dream job: Why do some people succeed in achieving it and others do not?
What makes one become successful and the other not? Have you ever had an idea that you thought "If that were commercially available, I would buy it immediately and probably many others with me," only to come across it in the store a while later.
What do you need to do to achieve your dream job?
ACTION, because indeed, it is not the knowledge of the idea that gives the difference but the taking of action. And yes, of course, it takes more than just action. Action is needed anyway to achieve a potential result but how you go about it is also important.
According to Anthony Robbins, people who achieve excellence follow a consistent path to success. He defines this Essential Success Formula in 4 steps:
- Step 1: Know your desired outcome, define exactly what you want
- Step 2: Take action, otherwise it will remain just dreams
- Step 3: Develop the sensory acuity to recognize what responses you receive and to perceive as quickly as possible whether your actions bring you closer or further from your goals
- Step 4: Develop the flexibility to change your behavior until you achieve the desired results
Dream job thanks to Robbins' 4 steps
No coincidence that these 4 steps also come up in the process of Personal Branding, which we go through with our clients. Let me explain. Define what you want (step 1) by examining what is important to you in your work, what you are good at and enjoy doing, and what you would like to develop further. We also look at which professions match your personality. In this way you can determine in even more detail exactly what you want.
But now it just begins. You've defined what you want and you may have several options. Now action is required (step 2).
To check if the image you have of those options matches reality and to see if it really is your dream job, experimentation is required... Spend a day with someone who is already doing your dream job, talk to people who have experience in the job you are pursuing and (step 3) put all your senses to the test to hear from others what the possible pros and cons of a job are and to see and feel if this job really suits you, in line with your unique values and competencies.
From the moment your job is completely clear, start looking for job openings and/or potential employers and apply. This is where you're definitely going to need steps 3 and 4. You will be asked a lot of questions within a job interview. How you answer them will determine the success of your application. Experience which answers work (step 3) and then further refine your answers at your next interview (step 4).
What makes whether you can successfully complete these 4 steps?
In the book "Your Unknown Abilities" it defines 7 basic mechanisms or characteristics that can ensure your success:
- Characteristic 1: passion
Passion gives people fuel to keep going when times are tough, it is a force that propels them to take action, evolve and become a better version of themselves each time. - Characteristic 2: conviction
Or in other words, you become what you think or believe you can become. In successful people, this conviction to be what they can become forms the power to put their passion into action. - Feature 3: strategy
A strategy or action plan will determine how you turn your passion into action. Knowing that failure does not exist, only results and combining this with your flexibility to achieve just the results you desire is a necessity to achieving success. - Feature 4: clear values
What are the positive values you want to pursue in your life? Your values will support you in the choices you make along the road to success. - Characteristic 5: Energy
Energy drives you to become the best version of yourself. Energy is physical, intellectual and spiritual; the engine to keep moving forward each time. - Trait 6: Ability to form relationships
Among other things, it gives you the ability to form alliances and at the end of the day, be able to share your success with those people you love. - Feature 7: communicative mastery
Because yes, the meaning of communication is the response you get and not your intention. So again, it is the result that matters. So to be successful, you have to communicate in that way so that it gives you the desired result.
And what does this have to do with your search for your dream job?
How often do you hear, I made my hobby my job, or it doesn't matter that I have to work hard because I love doing it. You certainly know people around you who can tell and keep telling a hundred stories about their jobs. They work with passion... Research for yourself what you like to do and what you are good at, and find a job that you can do with passion. Characteristic 1.
Persuasion: When was the last time you were convinced you could accomplish something?
That you knew of yourself that you would succeed in that task? I'm sure you succeeded then, too. You definitely need this conviction while applying for your new dream job as well. Characteristic 2.
An action plan in finding your dream job is essential
Strategy or action plan is also essential during your job search. As mentioned earlier, research and define what you want, prepare thoroughly and apply for a job in a focused manner. Should a job interview still not yield the desired result, evaluate and redirect to the next application. Feature 3.
During career coaching, one of the questions you will answer is "What are your values?"
What is important to you within a job? Your choices will be different if you are pursuing prestige than if you are primarily looking for a good work-life balance. Characteristic 4.
Can you remember a moment where you were full of energy?
Where everything seemed to go by itself? Could it be, then, that at that moment you were convinced of yourself and your abilities and that you were doing something you love to do and which therefore gives you energy? Characteristic 5.
Networking or asking people about their experiences can increase your chances of success when applying for a job.
If only to better understand what is expected of you in a particular job and then be able to respond communicatively. Characteristics 6 and 7.
Are you currently stuck with your life goals or haven't found your dream job yet?
Don't know what job you want or where your passion lies? Then take a look at what you've done so far. How many actions have you already taken to get ahead? Realize that "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got" (Henry Ford) Dreaming alone does not help, it is the action that will lead to the result.