Dreams and reality

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 4:21 am

I've been having a rough time lately with the job I'm currently in. I'm feeling completely unfulfilled and it's bringing me down. I've always had big dreams since I was a kid and still believe in the possibility of finding a job I love. The problem I'm having is I could quit my job to go work at the local Humane Society (where I would LOVE to work) but I would be earning $10.00/hr. There's no way I could ever survive on that, I have to support myself, pay my bills and I'm not living the high life. I just find whenever I think about moving towards something I would love to do, the pay is so little that I feel it's not realistic. I want possess an "I can do anything I dream of" mentality but I find reality gets in the way.

What is the solution? I've been trying hard to figure that one out and could use some help.

tina martin · Post by **tina martin** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:55 am

Hi P&P. First, thank you for welcoming us. Much appreciated.

You ask a really good question. For one thing, you are not alone. My guess is the majority of people work in jobs (if they are lucky enough to have a job these days) that are less than satisfying and far less than dream jobs. What to do?

Some community colleges offer programs for vet. assistants and then maybe you could work up to being a Veterinarian (your interest in animals). The other way is to possibly compensate with what you could fit in of interest during off hours. Just some thoughts.

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 7:04 am

You're welcome, Tina! It's really nice to see more people on the boards

Ironically, my past jobs I have enjoyed quite a lot and then along with my side hobbies, I was quite content even if my job wasn't one I was passionate about. But this past year I lost my year and a half long term position to a woman who was coming off disability and who had more experience than myself. I'm now working in a job with a boss whom I can never seem to please, which is completely the opposite from my past position. So I think that's stirred up some of these feelings.

Thanks for the suggestions. The only problem with getting into veterinarian type work is that I dislike medical environments (such a HA sufferer thing to say,ahaha) and I was never too strong in math or science. I REALLY enjoy the arts, my degree is in filmmaking but the hours were insanely long, the people not so kind and the pay very little.

tina martin · Post by **tina martin** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:42 am

So much for making leaps from the humane society to the vet office (smile). Issue with boss is a biggy. Does the program here address that in any way? Try and check it out. It is refreshing to read that contentment is OK and passion can be secondary. Expectations today are on an entirely different plane than when I was young and working. No judgment, just an observation.

Bosses can be tough to figure out. Some can easily feel threatened, be insecure, be controlling, perfectionist, jealous, etc. And since they have power over you, well, you'll need to try and figure them out, lay low, try and win them over. Maybe bring flowers? Cigars? Candy? Perfume? (joking)

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:13 pm

Hi Tina,

Thanks for the advice. From the program, I've learnt that I'm humane and I WILL make mistakes, so to expect perfection from myself isn't realistic. I what if about losing my job (being fired or laid off) so I say "so what if," I'm doing the best job I can and that is out of my control. What is in my control, is to start looking for work. So I have been doing exactly that and putting in applications and resumes wherever I can. I've already had one interview, I didn't get the job, but it was still a good experience.

I agree with you when you say that expectations today are completely different than what they use to be. I think companies aren't treating their staff as well as they use to and younger people know they won't be working the same job for 40 years (like our parents) Times have definitely changed. In the program they teach that you can do anything you put your mind to and can be as successful as you want, which is what brought me to posting in the first place. I guess there's some sacrifices to pay for that "dream job." I guess no one is successful over night.

cream cheese · Post by **cream cheese** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 4:19 pm

P&P I have worked as a RN for almost 18 years. Its very stressful, plus it has taken a toll on my body physically. I have had jobs like working in a deli, or at a Concession stand in a park near me and found them to be more satisfying and less stressful outside of me liking them a whole lot more than my nursing job. Let me clarify something......its the system of nursing that I dont like not the caring for the people. If people would stop making up forms and more work for others to do thinking they are simplying their jobs we would have a wonderful job life all of us. I prefer to work as a Holistic Nurse for it deals more with simple healing processes for good health and well being.

P&P · Post by **P&P** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:35 am

Cream Cheese,

I completely understand what you're saying. I worked at Starbucks for a few years while going to University, had a blast! I would rather be making lattes right now than working in an office. That being said, I wouldn't be able to pay my bills working at Starbucks. It also seems that they'll give you weeks of training to make a latte and yet in my current position, I maybe got 30 minutes of training even though my job is WAY more complex than making hot chocolate. I guess there's pros and cons to any job. And even in the jobs I really enjoyed, there was still some aspect of it that I didn't enjoy as much. Just like you had mentioned. The aspect you DO enjoy is helping and caring for people. The aspect you don't enjoy, is all the paperwork. I think that's an incredibly normal issue for any person and something you'll face no matter where you work.

Paisleegreen · Post by **Paisleegreen** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:35 am

I found the work I like, but as cream cheese says, the paperwork isn't fun. I like to be around people, teaching and helping, but I don't care for jobs with bosses. I've never liked to be bossed around. I was like that as a little girl. I was responsible and didn't need to be told how to do things. So even as a youngster I asked my Mom what are my responsibilities and they were, keep the living room, girl's bathroom and my bedroom clean or presentable.

I liked that since I didn't want to see her list of jobs to to or her telling me.
We always had a chore list for dishes, or sometimes my brothers and I would work it out together on who did what. My father always made us responsible for our duty if we hadn't done it and went to bed. He would get us up to finish the job.

My mother worked fulltime as an RN so we helped around the house.

Wahnzo · Post by **Wahnzo** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:39 am

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MY POSTING!!! GALLE COMPUTERS FRUSTRATE ME!!! GRRR>>>>> HELP!!! PEEPS

cream cheese · Post by **cream cheese** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 2:35 pm

P&P and Paisley.....OMG yes, isnt it crazy...I remember getting a new job as a nurse on a floor and you got someone standing next to you and then after that they disappeared...."oh, its a good time to have a cigarette break, shes here" I was petrified!!! I thought....Is this all the training I am getting??? That was years ago in the 90s. And when i trained for a little crappy job that I adored....I had a week or more!!!!
Paisley, I too, helped my Mom around the house when I was younger, in fact for some reason I always felt sorry for her just toiling and doing everything herself. She gave me my room, the living room and the bathroom I think to do and I didnt mind at all, it made me feel useful as a kid and productive.
They are making jobs more stressful. Nothing is simplified, its only magnified and multiplied.
Its funny, with all our technology you think we would have the Life of Reilly.....not so. Its complicated our lives even moreso.