Transition Dynamics

Career Clarity Article

Amazing Dream Careers

I've always been fascinated with people who have interesting careers. I spot their stories in newspapers, magazines, radio interviews, and television shows. I love to feel their excitement, passion, and commitment to their work...whatever it is!

Reading or hearing their stories reminds me that each person has interests that are uniquely theirs. Their passion may be a tiny slice of life or a topic that cuts across multiple aspects of life. The variability is both immense and inspiring.

It also reminds me that most people doing work they love have overcome one obstacle or another to get to where they are. They didn't let an obstacle turn them away from their passion. In some cases, the obstacles themselves helped them refine, focus, and commit to their passions.

As you read the morning paper or listen to the radio on the way to work, notice the careers people have. Listen for their story to hear how they came to where they are now. Although you may think they've always had their passion tied up in a nice little career package, it's likely their life story will show you otherwise. Most people's life path takes them through several, possibly related, possibly unrelated, stops along the way to their dream career.

Here are some of the Dream Careers I've run into recently.

Therapy Clowns:

Social workers who use clowning skills to help kids and their families through difficult hospital stays. http://www.healingquest.tv/ClownTherTrans.html
(Thanks to Career Clarity Coach, Brenda Davis in Toronto, Canada, for bringing this career to my attention.)

Christmas Ornament Mogel:

After the family Christmas tree fell to the floor breaking over 2,000 European glass-blown ornaments, Chris Radko began trying to replace them. He had a tough time. He couldn't even find them in his homeland of Poland. What he did find was a craftsman who wanted to revive the craft. The artist began handcrafting ornaments on commission for Chris Radko. Now more than 3,000 craftspeople in various European countries create ornaments on commission for Radko's company. Ornaments are now available for other holidays as well. Here are some examples of their work: http://www.rogersgardens.com/departments.asp?dept=4&top=2
(Thanks to Kathleen Sullivan who wrote an article entitled Devoted Collectors Flock to Meet Ornament King in the San Francisco Chronicle on December 10, 2004.)

Professional Photographer specializing in photos of ancestral villages for genealogists.

Once a Navy photojournalist, radio and television broadcaster, and Navy spokesman, James Derheim recorded many historical overseas events on film. During his years of service in Germany, he came up with the idea of providing photographs, maps, and detailed information to genealogists who were
researching their European roots. Since 1990 he's had a thriving, full-time, US based business providing photographic and narrative descriptions of ancestral villages. Check out James Derheim's website at http://www.eurofocus.com
(Thanks to my mom for passing along the brochure for this business.)

At a practical, logical level, each of these professions seem farfetched. How can you combine clowning with therapy? How can you create a dynasty based on ornaments? How can you leverage your photographic skills and your love of Europe into a viable, thriving, money-making business?

Most people think the only way to make money is to have a traditional job title, yet there are plenty of examples that other routes to passion and financial reward are possible.

Do you have a passion or two that you could weave into a successful, fulfilling venture?

If you don't know the answer to this question, but would like to find out, use The Career Clarity Program to find your way to your Dream Career! Visit http://www.careerclarityprogram.com for more information about the program. Whether you want to work through it on a self-guided basis or you'd like coaching support from me or one of the Career Clarity Coaches, this program can jump start you to creating the career you know you want.

Each Career Clarity Coach listed on the Support Options page provides free 30-minute consultations. Give one of us a call to learn more about how the program can help you.

Click to Subscribe to Life Transitions eNewsletter

Return to Career Clarity Articles