Are you a Starbucks user?

You read the stuff on the sides of their cardboard cups?

I do.

I often feel guilty for popping $3-5 bucks for some of their drinks, but I now justify it as a business expense (yes, really), as I’m out looking for relevant quotes to post here at Dream Jobs Dialog.  (Hey, somebody’s gotta do it, right?)

So, here’s one I think you’ll like, and it goes like this:

Remember your dreams and fight for them.  You must know what you want from life.  There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible:  the fear of failure.  Never forget your Personal Legend.  Never forget your dreams.  Your silent heart will guide you.  Be silent now.  It is the possibility of a dream that makes life interesting.  You can choose between being a victim of destiny or an adventurer who is fighting for something important.

From Paulo Coelho’s little classic, The Alchemist.

So, what about those words, Dream Job Seeker?  Do you remember your dreams?  Do you know what you want from life?

Are you the victim or the adventurer?

If you’re not living the life and dream job of your dreams, then just what are you doing here?

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I have the opportunity to travel quite a bit, for business and pleasure.  One of the things I like to do, and especially when I’m in Europe, is to attend the mostly free concerts that churches offer, usually on warm summer evenings.

Most European churches, whether in major cities or little villages, provide these concerts throughout the year and you simply walk in and have a sit.  These events are usually not overly attended, so you can, if you want, tuck yourself away in a little corner and really absorb the surroundings without being distracted.

These concerts, sometimes lasting no more than 30 minutes, give me a chance to get away from the hub-bub of being a visitor and to sit among some of the world’s most gorgeous architecture while I listen to beautiful music.

This is really a kind of meditation for me.

The music, along with the views and musty old smells, usually transform me for awhile and I forget all about my daily concerns and problems . . . and being a visitor.

Good things, these concerts . . . check ‘em out the next time you’re abroad.

I usually go to churches that are associated with that particular country in some way and where the services are delivered in that language. So, it was by happenstance (if there is such a thing, huh?) that a few years ago I stumbled into the American Church in Paris which is housed, right off the river Seine, in a classical old 19th century purpose-built church building in the heart of the Left Bank.

One of the things I discovered (and I’ve since returned to that church many times over the years) is that I am absolutely intrigued with Americans who, by choice or force, are living abroad . . . the expatriate community.  They’re a curious bunch, and I love them — on the one hard, they are clearly American, but because of their exile they have adopted ways of their host country.  So, in this case, while members of the American Church in Paris aren’t really French, they’ve learned enough about their surroundings in Paris to be, well, not totally just Americans anymore.

One of the things that this church does, and incredibly well, is to serve as a “social service” point for Americans living in Paris who are having a hard time adjusting to this great, yet for many quite different, city.  One spouse gets transferred to work in Paris and the other comes along, only to find out that even incredible places can be lonely ones when you don’t know anyone, the partner and kids are gone all day, and you don’t know the language.

Consequently, and I’m not sure where or when it happened in their 100-plus year history, but the American Church in Paris came up with a motto for their getting-used-to-a-foreign-land members, and it’s this:

Bloom where you’re planted.

They’re saying, in effect . . . Hey, Friends, like it or not, you’re here in Paris.  Make the most of it, do what you can, and move move forward.  Bloom where you’re planted.

And, that’s what I have to say to you today, Dream Jobber.

Bloom where you’re planted.

You absolutely hate your job or, if not that, you know you’re not living the dream job you know you’re hankering for.

But, you can’t always pick up and move to a new city (not tomorrow, anyway), and you can’t give up that job you despise because you need to provide for your family(not tomorrow, anyway), and you can’t run away to join the circus (not tomorrow, anyway).

So, take a step in the direction you want to go, and another one tomorrow.  Then, one more the next day.  Remember and practice kaizen.

Don’t despair . . . do what you can, where you are, with what you have.

Bloom where you’re planted, Dream Jobber.

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By Benjamin Scott

I remember watching the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball, six time NBA Champion Michael Jordan. On many different occasions, Michael Jordan clearly stated that determination, focus, and persistence were what helped him reach his amazing accomplishments. There was one feeling in particular that gave Michael the strength, power, and desire to succeed as the greatest player to ever play the game. Passion.

Read more »

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Okay . . . just checking . . . we’re nearly two months into the new year.

And, if you’re like many people, you made a resolution or two a couple of months back.

If you did, I’ll bet one of those promises you made to yourself had to do with your work.

Do you remember what it was?

Are you on the path to attaining it?

Are you making a small step toward it every day?

Can I help?

 

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As you know, I’m a coffee aficionado . . . all kinds, all flavors, all sizes.  I’m into local coffee shops, and I’m a “Bucks” fan too.  Espresso drinks are my favorite.

See A New Coffee Sensation for more on my addiction.

If you’ve been to a Starbucks, you probably know that they have quotations on the sides of their paper cups.

Here’s one from painter, lithographer, author, publisher and restaurateur, Russell Chatham, that caught my Dream-Jobbin’ Eye:

My father said being an artist was the shortest road to the poorhouse, claiming “real” work is something you don’t like.  I ignored him through oppositional behavior, later reasoning that only an idiot sets out to find the poorhouse, not to mention devote himself to something he doesn’t love.  Instead, I discovered an interesting back road to the unknown, and deliberately without a safety net.

Here’s to people like Russell Chatham.

Where do you stand, Dream Job Wanderer?

 

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According to Entrepreneur magazine (October 2006), 63 percent of workers would not be happier in a different job.

I simply don’t believe that.

In fact, a few years back (and, dang it, I don’t have the actual results any more), we did an extensive survey at Dream Jobs To Go and found nearly the exact opposite. I believe it was just over 70 percent of our respondents (and we had several thousands responses) who said that they either hated, disliked, or just tolerated their jobs.

What do you say, Happy Job Holder?

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One of the most effective ways to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your work life is to turn over a few rocks and see what you find.

Stumble around.

Ask questions — especially to been-there-done-that kinds of people.

That’s one of the reasons why I started the Ask-A-Pro series at Dream Jobs Dialog — so you could learn a little more about some people who’re living their own dream jobs and then ask them questions.

So far we have 12 pros who’ve contributed, with many more on the way.

Check these out for details and . . . ask away:

• Working in national parks
• Caterer
• Filmmaker
• Storyteller
• River guide
• Life coach
• Syndicated columnist
• Freelance writer
• Network marketer
• Professional speaker or trainer
• Radio/TV announcer or voice-over
• Travel writer

Click on the ones of interest for more details, and happy Q&A to you.

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I came across Brother David of the Gratefulness Organization on a radio show recently, where he was talking about gratefulness and how it has the power to change lives.

So, I got to thinking about what he said and thought I would experiment with being grateful.  Yeah, I know, I tell myself, I already am grateful.

I’ve been blessed with many wonderful things in my life:  a warm and nurturing childhood, incredible and unforgettable educational experiences — both formal and not, job opportunities that many people would die for, chances to be my own boss and run my own businesses (in areas that align with my own passions and skills), to pursue my own dream jobs, a wife who gives me the space and freedom and support and encouragement to follow those dreams, kids that are just a pure joy to be around (most of the time), the chance to travel all over the world (many times), and the ability to live anywhere I want to.

Whew!  That’s a lot, huh?

But, am I really grateful?  In listening to Brother David, I think perhaps not as much as I should be.

I mean, I’ve lived and traveled in developing countries, and I’ve seen real poverty up close and I’ve been with people who really are seeking nothing more than a shirt or a roof for the night.

So, am I grateful for the water tap that spits out clean water at the touch of a handle?  Or for the electricity that flows into my home (for mere cents per hour) that results in such great and wonderful pleasures — a microwave to zap my favorite popcorn so I can turn on the TV and watch a new foreign film that just came in the mail from Netflix?

Or, what about this country that we live in, huh?  I mean, forget all about politics for a minute and forget, if you can, about these nasty wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for a minute.  The comforts we have here are immense, and am I grateful for those?  Am I really grateful?

I mean, I get up every morning and take a safe community, clean streets, my gassed-up car in the drive, a grocery store down the road with thousands of fresh products, and just about everything else I encounter during my day for granted.

Don’t give most of this stuff a second thought.

So, here’s what Brother David has suggested and what I’m going to do — I’m going to start a Gratefulness Diary and enter the things I’m grateful for therein each day (if I can).

And, what I suggest to you — Dream Jobbers, seekers, and fellow wanderers — is that you might want to try the same thing.

You see, whenever I take the time to be truly grateful, I seem to become filled with ideas and creativity like at no other times.

So, let’s see what happens . . . will a purposeful Gratefulness Experiment lead to a more promising direction in my life?

Will it for you?

Holler at me here and let me know what you think and whether or not you’re participating in your own Gratefulness Experiment.

Adiós,

Michael

PS  If this inspires you at all, you may wish to check out one of the book projects that Brother David was involved with, Words of Gratitude.

PPS I find some of Brother David’s work, world view, and outlook on life somewhat reminiscent of Rob Brezsny, my favorite astrologer, if I believed in astrology, of course.  Check out Rob’s book on Pronoia, and another article I wrote about Rob awhile back in The 3:00 a.m. Willies Gotcha?

 

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I didn’t figure I’d ever get a chance to write an article that combined astrology, my favorite quotation about sticking it out, my home town, and how to find your dream job all in one spot, but now’s that time.

Talk about being in the zone!

One of the biggest challenges for all of us who are trying to find our life’s work are the laying-awake-at-night-3:00 a.m. moments when you’re filled with self-doubt and wondering whether you’ve got what it takes to make the changes in your life that will get you to where you need to go.

It’s during these times that I read motivational literature and review my rather vast collection of keep going quotes and stories.

My favorite quote on the “determination is everything” front is from Winston Churchill (I’m an amateur historian of World War II and the homefront in England) and it’s really quite simple.  He said:  If you’re going through hell, keep going.

Makes sense to me.  Who’d want to be in hell any longer than necessary?  Don’t languish and feel sorry for yourself, just keep moving forward. 

So, it was with a bit of surprise that I came across the following in a recent issue of the Santa Fe Reporter, Santa Fe, New Mexico’s alternative weekly paper.  I live and work in Santa Fe, one of my favorite spots on the planet, and what I enjoy the most about the place is the sheer and incredible variety of people that live here.  Not only is Santa Fe filled with an incredibly diverse population of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo peoples, it’s one of the country’s most artsy-fartsy places so there’s always something interesting to see, do, and taste.

Reading the Reporter each week is one of my favorite see-what’s-going-on-about-town pastimes.  And, it’s through the Reporter that I first came across Rob Brezsney and his really fun-to-read Free Will Astrology column.

I’m not sure I’d admit in public to being an astrology believer, but I read horoscopes any way (don’t most people?) and am probably like the atheist who prays . . . just in case.

I’m a Virgo, so the column that Brezsny wrote today really hit home, and I’ll copy it here:

“If you are going through hell, keep going,” said Winston Churchill.  Let that advice be your inspiration in the coming week, Virgo.  But wait:  Before you jump to conclusions about what I’m saying, know this:  Your tests and trials will be far, far less hellish than the ordeals Churchill faced as he led England through World War II.  It’s true that you may feel a bit tortured in the heat of the moment, though.  So don’t you dare slow down to feel sorry for yourself or scream at the chaos-makers.  Keep plodding forward, secure in my assurance that you’ll cross the border and exit out of the infernal regions well before you’re exhausted.

God, I just love this guy — he’s a sure Top5er, as anyone who can weave in one of my favorite historical figures and his quote into my own horoscope has my attention.

Stay the course, Dream Jobbers, and don’t give up, never give up (okay, another tip-o-the-hat to old Winnie).

And, check out Brezsney whenever you can — the guy’s a hoot.

And, let me know what quotes get you through your own 3:00 a.m. willies.

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