Unconventional Advice to Land Your Dream Job
In 2021 I took a $10,800 paycut and pivoted to a new industry.
I could’ve stayed in consulting, worked real hard, and shot for partner in 5 years.
But the pandemic made it clear to me that it was time to pursue work I actually cared about.
While I didn’t hesitate accepting the offer, I did beat myself up for weeks about taking a paycut.
Which was crazy, because a well-paying job in Education was something I sought for years.
And now I finally had it!
But I was nitpicking at $10k?
In return, I got:
– A much better work/life balance (mostly 40 hour work weeks)
– More skills relevant to my genuine interests
– More learning opportunities on how to run a business
– More LIFE!
And now, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my career.
Oftentimes we can overlook the fact that the non-financial factors can offer the biggest benefits.
Oh, and after 15 months in my new job I made my salary back… and then some.
Tommy & I celebrating my dream job offer! #TBT
Are You Willing To Take 1 Step Back To Take 10 Steps Forward?
Taking a (manageable) hit on your salary now can lead to 10x the money and happiness later.
Compensation is important, but remember it’s only one piece of the pie.
The day-to-day joy & energy from a job you love is priceless.
People always used to say to me, “Dude get paid first, then give back and focus on doing what you love.”
My simplest answer was always, “What if I never make it to that age?”
Deep down, I knew there had to be a way to be paid well AND love what I do… now.
And I was right.
Ever since landing my dream job, I've lost count of the number of times I've said to myself: "I love what I do" or "I'm so damn grateful."
I genuinely wake up excited to do the work I do. Every day.
We’ve all heard the old adage: "You don’t need to love your job. It's just a check."
I don't subscribe to that.
Life’s too short to spend 8+ hours/day, 5 days/week, doing something you don’t love.
To be clear, I'm not saying to choose purpose over profit.
I am saying: why not both?
With that, I am not ignorant to the fact that purpose is privilege.
Don’t Take Your Privilege For Granted
Let’s be real for a second.
If you have the privilege of pursuing purposeful work — recognize your privilege.
Not everyone has this privilege.
But for those of us who do — and many of us do — I think it’s important we don’t take that privilege for granted.
Which means two things:
1. Be grateful for having the opportunity to even consider pursuing purposeful work.
2. Put your gratitude into action and go DO IT.
Be willing to take a short-term paycut if it means you can get a 10x return in happiness (and potentially in money, too, down the line).
Today I get to travel to cool cities all over the country facilitating workshops and leadership conversations learning about K12 Education.
Traveling for work in my consulting days was fun.
But business travel hits different when it's for a cause and work I love.
I even got to DJ last year for one of my company events.
I now have well-paying job and multiple passions all in one… A dream come true!
So, despite what others may say…
Don’t give in to the conventional “wisdom.”
It’s okay to take a temporary step back in order to take 10 steps forward.
It’s okay to get paid well AND to do what you love.
Identify EVERYTHING you want in your career.
And then go make it happen!
Want a FREE copy of my Dream Job Roadmap?
This 9-page PDF is a step-by-step guide breaking down exactly what I did to successfully pivot out of consulting and land my dream job in EdTech where I get to do what I love AND get paid well while doing it.