Michael wrote me about finding his dream job where he least expected it. He said he had always wanted to be a travel writer and experience different cultures while working for a network. Michael kept applying for network jobs related to writing, but he always ended up with a desk job that didn't involve travel. Then he tried working as a reporter on assignment, but he was only given local assignments, nothing international.
Every time he tried to mix writing and travel it never seemed to work. Michael became discouraged and disillusioned thinking that maybe his dream just wasn't ever going to become reality. Michael finally quit his job at the network and started working for a bank instead. He didn't really know much about finance but decided to give it a try.
After working at the bank for six months he happened to meet someone from the bank who was looking for an insurance agent and researcher. She needed a writer with reporting and interviewing experience to collect insurance-related data from banking clients all over the world. Michael ended up getting the job and has been doing it ever since. That was over a year ago.
Michael's point in writing me was to express how he ended up finding his dream job exactly where he hadn't expected it.
I think Michael is making a great point. Sometimes life gives us opportunities that we can't even imagine. We can have our mind's set on a certain dream and possibly miss out on an opportunity because we are not keeping our eye's open. Dreams can be fulfilled in all different shapes and forms.
I have had this happen to me as well and once someone even had to say to me, "Wake up! I am offering you a great opportunity here. It is yours if you want it. Wake up!"
Opportunities in life, whether professional or personal, don't always happen the way we expect them to. My life has changed dramatically in the last few years and if someone had asked me five years ago if I'd be here, I never would have said yes. I am thrilled to be where I am, however, and wouldn't want my life to be any different, but in my mind I never imagined it would transpire the way it has.
Our lives are filled with opportunities if we keep our eye's and mind's open. It is important to not have preconceived notions about how things will play out. And for those times when we just don't get it I hope we all have someone forthright enough to say, "Wake up!" I'm glad I did.
