Dare to Dream

For awhile, I was having dreams about work. Rather, they were nightmares. I was in a new office but with all the same people. And we were using these crazy computers that I had no idea how to use. It seemed I was the only one, however, and everyone else was far too busy to help me. So, I was behind from the very beginning and every time I looked up, my inbox was overflowing. At first I thought they were stress dreams. In actuality I was just fine at work; hardworking, diligent, always in line with everyone else. But every night I was drowning; it was frustrating.

Finally, I decided to look up on the internet what it all meant. The answer: I had anxiety about my job. I was constantly worried about upcoming projects and tasks that needed to be finished. I was concerned that I wouldn’t get everything done in time and I’d be left behind everyone. That, in turn, would make me look bad to my superiors and that is ultimately what I was nervous about.

If you have dreams about work or lack of work or anything to do with the employment field in general, there may be some definite changes you can make to ease your conscience.

Have you been slacking off? Not doing the best you know you can do, can seep into your brain and cause problems with your moral essence. That fact will surely affect your sleeping patterns and cause undue hesitation when it comes time to hit the hay.

It could also mean that maybe you are not as prepared as you think you are, to do the job you were hired to do. This, obviously, would pose a problem to your subconscious and we all know that’s where dreams come from.

On a positive note, if your dreams consist of you working harder and harder to reach the goals, it could signify success on your part. You’re doing the right things, the right way. Either way, your dreams should be work and stress free. You’ve put in your eight hours and the eight you get to spend sleeping should not become billable.

Spice up that Job!

Have you ever felt that corporate America just isn’t for you? Men and women living in a concrete jungle filled with suits, ties, conferences, monotonous voices and a set in stone nine to five schedule. Boring! Where is the pizzazz in the workforce today?

I personally am not a fan of this tedious and lackluster lifestyle. For the people who walk off the beaten path– the people who have bright purple hair and who can’t sit still at a desk for more than five minutes without doodling pictures of their cat – I suggest finding creative jobs. You don’t have to be a carbon copy of the rest of the corporate world for you to go far in your career. Some of the most successful people I have met have had a unique flair that sets them apart from the rest of their industry.

Research from the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine suggests that boring work could be deadly work. Yikes! Do you really want to keel over one day because your job literally bores you to death? I sure don’t want to be included in those statistics.

I think that most people today take their brain for granted. If you want to break free of the monotony then you need to learn how to utilize the innovative chamber of your brain. I always think of everything I love and how it can be transformed into a job. How can I make my love of vegan food successful? Can I sell my knitting to people online? Funky jobs and lateral thinking can be the saving grace to a mundane lifestyle. Give it a try because the rewards can be immeasurable. Who knows, maybe you will be the next big thing.

Even if you are settled into a career, try and think of ways to improve or modify your everyday routine. Whether it’s adding some flavor to your wardrobe or decorating the office for a holiday. And who says adults can’t dress up for Halloween? Or have a secret Santa gift exchange with only presents bought from the dollar store. Mix things up a little!

Stop staring blankly at your computer monitor and start using your brain. It could lead to an improved lifestyle, or better yet, a promotion. If you haven’t had a frontal lobotomy then stop acting like it and get those wheels turning in your head.

It’s Not the Size of the Dog in the Fight; It’s the Size of the Fight in the Dog

Everyone gets down in the dumps from time to time right? Well one of the lowest and most depressing moments in a person’s life is when they are unemployed. Most likely you want to sit in bed all day with a box of Oreo cookies while you let the crumbs roll all over the sheets in a big miserable mess. Obviously this isn’t the right way to cope.

It’s funny to think that animals might be able to best understand the rejection and indignity that humans face day to day in the employment world. Dancer, a tiny Chihuahua from Leesburg, FL, has faced numerous struggles such as our own. Born to a dying and abandoned mother, Dancer was no bigger than a human thumb. The veterinarian suggested euthanizing him because of his size and the series of health problems that would ensue. The new owner objected and Dancer has emerged as a healthy and certified therapy dog today.

All prospective employees feel like Dancer at one point in their lives. Discarded and left to rot. Not the most pleasant feeling one can possess. However, Dancer teaches the unemployed, unshaven and day long pajama wearing citizens not to get discouraged.

Even if you are productive from day to day with applying to jobs and rewriting your resume a million times, there are limits to your productivity when you are unemployed. Instead of watching reruns of Project Runway, get out of the house and go volunteer! Being able to see a smile on the face of someone you are helping can bring a huge smile to your own. A positive attitude exudes positive energy and this can be the key to getting you back in the employment game.

Dancer’s owner, Jenny Gomes, said a man in the veterinarian's office offered her $5,000 for Dancer when he found out the dog was an adult. Gomes refused, saying, “No way. You don't sell love.” Almost every job I have ever had presses the idea that if you love your job you will never work a day in your life. You could be offered a huge salary and benefits but if it is something so boring that it makes your eyes glaze over then you should ultimately leave it behind. Just like Dancer, you as an employee should not be bought. You should make a career doing what you love and you will radiate with confidence and happiness.

There is always a healing process when you get discarded but there are ways to bounce back. You have to have the willpower to overcome the career tragedy you have faced and learn from the experience. Just like Dancer, if you find a career you love then it will never feel like work. Stick to that motto and get out of your bed. I mean, if an 18 ounce dog can do it than you can do it too.

Before the Daily Grind Begins

Okay, let’s take a moment to talk to all of the college kids out there. That’s right, if you’re already out of college and currently fighting in the workforce trenches, take a coffee break. I know, it’s asking a lot to suggest a caffeine hit, but I’m sure you can manage.

Okay, do I just have college kids here now? Good. Let’s talk about your careers.

You should be having the time of you life. You’re away from home with your days filled with classes and nights consumed by frat parties and socials – but you also realize that when this ends in a few years you will have the moment. That’s right, the dreaded realization that you need to find a job.

What you also need to realize is that securing that ideal position when the party ends is entirely dependent on what you do now. A college degree is great, but it will only carry you so far.

For example, go find a former film student. Not a current one with all the dreams and aspirations that go along with the moniker, “film student,” but one who has already graduated and is currently in the workforce. Where do you find one of those, you ask? Try the local video store and you’ll more than likely find one because that’s all the degree will get you.

The degree will educate you on many aspects of the field, but it will do nothing to get you a job. It’s what you do in addition to the degree that counts most. Internships, student work, activities with the online groups – that’s the key.

Journalism students probably know this best. In the midst of taking classes on theory and ethics, they’re also working several hours a day at the school newspaper. They learn to work deadlines, chase down stories, and deal with editors; the nuts and bolts of working in the field.

The same goes for film students. Attending classes and taking tests isn’t enough. It’s working on student films, volunteering at film festivals all over the country and doing everything you can to expand your network of contacts in the industry. A film degree isn’t even a gateway to a job in the industry, all the industry cares about is what you’ve done, what you’ve accomplished – a degree isn’t even necessary. The most it will do is make your parents happy.

You will, of course, have to keep up with your school work, most other industries and fields would like to see exemplary classroom work as well as other activities. Just remember that college is supposed to be an all inclusive experience, encompassing many facets of your education. And, it’s still supposed to be fun.