In over 30 years of working with human resources and people in transition, I’ve not met many people who have told me that they’ve found their “dream job!” However, I’ve encountered many people who, upon reflection, have identified attributes of former positions they’ve held which they loved, and I’ve found even more who are in search of that “dream job!”
What’s Your Dream Job?
When I’ve asked people “exactly” what their dream job would be, almost 100% of them can’t give me a job description or even tangible, workable bullet points to create that job description (and that would include myself!) 🙂
The sad part of what I’ve just mentioned is that many of us don’t actively search – – explore – – looking for that “dream job.” We resign ourselves to what is posted on job boards or to simply what we have experience doing. Hmmm.
This past week I’ve been working at the Iowa State Fair (yep, home of the Butter Barn!) trying to generate leads for my son-in-law’s business, Garage Force. We’re located in the Varied Industries Building, which is full of vendors who are plying their products and services to fairgoers. I’ve been struck by the incredible variety of exhibitors, and it’s caused me to wonder about a few things related to job search. Here we go!
- Barksdale Cookie Factory – – Yep, it’s literally a factory cranking out chocolate chip cookies. In 2021 they served 2.4 million cookies. What if the founder had thought that his / her cookies were generic and like everyone else’s cookies?
- Designer Palms – – This company makes steel, life-size palm trees, because…of course they can! Founded in Kansas by a Kansan who married a Floridian, he wanted to give her a taste of Florida while living in Andover, KS, and he built her a palm tree. 20 years later, it’s a company selling these all over America. Iowa is their biggest market. Go figure! What if he hadn’t literally “followed his heart” to surprise his wife? What if he hadn’t responded to a request to “make another” for a neighbor?
- Spirulux Natural Lifting – – The little gadget sold here (for a mere $9,100) can literally make puffy eyes and wrinkles disappear. The before and after pictures are amazing! What if the founder hadn’t followed his/her curiosity and been resigned to puffy eyes always existing?
- Bemer Natural Energy Therapy – – Bemer devices use a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) to deliver a patented therapeutic signal to stimulate and support vascular and muscular health. Of course, why didn’t I think of that! What if the founder hadn’t explored fully the possibility of a better solution for vascular health?
Pursue Your Dreams, Explore the Possibilities!
In Exodus 31:1-6 we’re told: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ’See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you.’”
Ok, what’s the connection? Each of you reading this blog have been given a wide variety of skills, abilities, interests, passions, and motivations. And if you’re a Christ-follower, you have the Spirit of God residing within you! AND, we’re all put on earth with PURPOSE!
My point? I want to encourage all of you to pursue your dreams! EXPLORE the possibilities! Maybe your experiences would lend themselves to creating the next Barksdale Cookie, or the next health breakthrough, or following your passions which lead to the next Designer Palm Tree!
Each of us might not be the next Bezalel to work on the Ark of the Covenant and the Israelite temple court, but we all are put here on earth to serve others in some capacity. Let’s not resign ourselves to what we’ve done or to a clouded view of the future that may seem impossible.
I encourage all of us to prayerfully and thoughtfully EXPLORE what the work is that God has prepared for us before time began (Ephesians 2:10).
And who knows? I might see you at the Iowa State Fair in the future! Blessings!
Dave Sparkman currently serves as the volunteer Crossroads Career board chair and local ministry leader. He is also the founder and managing director of Spark Your Culture, a corporate culture consulting firm. Prior to that he worked at UnitedHealth Group, a Fortune #5 public company, serving in the role of Chief Culture Officer. His unemployment experience came from the implosion of Arthur Andersen, where he served as the West Region Managing Partner, People.
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