What If This Isn't My Dream Job?

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Enza Richards, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

At some point in your life, you might find yourself in a job that doesn’t exactly ignite your passion. Your career path may not have turned out the way you imagined — but does that mean you’re doomed to settle?

You went to school, earned your degree, landed a job… only to quickly realize this isn’t the dream you pictured. Someone asks, “How’s it going?” and you reply with a half-hearted, “Living the dream…”

Maybe you’ve been in the workforce for years, settled into a career, and stayed put for very legitimate reasons — financial stability, family responsibilities, or simply fear of stepping into the unknown. The reasons to stay can feel endless.

So, what can you do?

You want to pursue your dream job, yet you convince yourself that feeling stuck is just inevitable. Maybe you worry you’ll end up in a worse position or that the risk of failure is too high. Or, even worse, you might believe you don’t deserve to chase your dreams at all.

But what if there’s another way to look at it?

Reflect on what you truly love and what motivates you. Think back to your childhood — what were you naturally drawn to? What tendencies did you have growing up?

It’s possible that you can do what you love in your current job. Maybe your dream career isn’t as far out of reach as you think. Perhaps you don’t need to start over from scratch.

Here are some steps to help you live your dream right where you are:

1. Take a hard look at your current job
Ask yourself: Are you fully using your talents? Can you incorporate what you love and what drives you into your current role? Would a similar role allow you to do more of what you enjoy?

2. Make an action plan
Once you answer these questions honestly, it’s time to act!

Talk to your boss about how you might integrate more of what you love into your role. Frame it not just as a personal gain, but as a benefit to your team and organization. Highlight the unique talents and value you bring — and come prepared with specific ideas.

Explore other roles within your company that spark your interest and align with your skills. Networking internally can open doors without forcing you to make a drastic change.

If you hesitate to take these steps, ask yourself why. If it’s complacency, make sure you’re okay with the consequences of staying put.

Remember: Fear is a roadblock. It might be time to clear your path and move forward.

When you do what you love, you bring something unique to the world — something only you can offer. That might mean making a bold change, but more often than not, a few simple tweaks can bring your dream job closer than you think.