Don’t ask Stephen Gosewich to tell you about his dream job. He doesn’t have one.
When I was 9 years old, I remember thinking that all I wanted to be when I grew up was a racecar driver. I was obsessed with anything to do with cars. I remember going to the car show each and every year and making it my mission to sit inside every single car on display and to walk out of the convention centre with every brochure and every freebie that had to do with cars. I would then go home, empty the bags of swag, leaf through the pamphlets, and imagine sitting behind the wheel of a high performance Corvette (my favorite car at the time), driving around the oval, and entering into the apex of the turn at just the right speed and angle so I could take the checkered flag and win the race!
When I was in my early teens, my interests changed, and I became more artistic and creative. I used to sit at the desk in my bedroom, and while pretending to study for exams or doing my homework, I would draw pictures of rock concert stages. I used to draw pictures of elaborate drum kits, PA systems, lighting rigs, guitars, and bass amplifiers. I even used to listen to music through my headphones and imagine the band performing live while I was working the lighting control board or mixing sound board. I imagined touring the world with the band and dreamt up these elaborate light shows, designed with washes of beautiful colors choreographed to the awesome music, complete with dry ice and pyrotechnics to make the band’s concert look magical and spectacular!
Somewhere along the road to age 46, I lost my interest in wanting to be a racecar driver, and I stopped drawing pictures of rock concert stages and thinking of touring the world as a technician for a rock and roll show. My two passions disappeared. The problem is, they were never replaced.
Sure, I am passionate and head-over-heels in love with my children and my amazing wife of 20 years, but professionally, I never got my mojo back.
I will let you in on a little secret…while I have grown up in age, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Whenever I am asked the question, “If you could do or be anything, what would be your dream job?” I don’t have an answer.
I sometimes think that there is something wrong with me. I see many people out in the world with these really cool jobs and think to myself, how did that person land such a cool gig? Or, I will see people interviewed who are successful in their careers, and when they are asked why they thought they were successful in their vocation they reply, “It’s because I found my passion.”
How did they find it? How did they know where to look? Were they actively seeking it out or did they just stumble across it?
Did they have an epiphany? Was there any kind of “a-ha!” moment?
More importantly, why don’t I know what my dream job is? How can I find my passion?
I’m a bit jealous of these people, not because of their success, but because they found something they are passionate about. Silly, isn’t it?
—Photo ninja gecko/Flickr
Don’t give up!! You are on the right track–you may not be that race car driver but you will discover your passion!!
This really captures my own experience except that I dreamed of being a pilot. Now, like the author, I’m 46 and working as an attorney but, I’ve never been able to convince myself myself that it’s what I want to do with my life. For better or worse, like Keith, I think I’ve given up on finding my dream job.
Hi Taylor…maybe your one of those people who work to live….For me, I need work…I need an income and for me…right now that is my focus. However, I don’t want to give up and resign myself to not finding my dream job. But I also don’t believe you have to “work at it” to make it happen. I think the dream job evolves. The best part about a dream job is that the abundance happens on its own because you become so passionate about the work itself. Look at Steve Jobs…a bozo and a guy who didn’t mince words…but a… Read more »
Thank you for this piece! I have been pondering this of late, although I’m a bit younger (29). I actually just wrote a piece on the Huffington Post about it (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lodro-rinzler/becoming-who-you-want-to-_b_1243137.html?ref=tw) as I’m starting to think that maybe the big question isn’t What you want to be when you grow up, it’s Who you want to be. Just a personal reflection though. Thank you for opening up this discussion!
I totally relate, I as well adore my family, but when I hear “find something you have a passion for” I think, “consuming beer and doritos on the couch?” Seriously though, not that I’m lazy, I like moving around, working with my hands doing all that, but no real passion for a specific thing. I don’t know if that comes with having kids or what, but I don’t forsee ever saying “this is what I have to do with my life!”
Keith… thanks for the comment. Another member of the club! Welcome aboard. I also think that there are two kinds of people in this life…those that work to live and those that live to work. Maybe you and I are members of the first club. We do what we do not because we want to but because we have to. I don’t necessarily like being a part of this club and that is why I am optimistic that as I continue to be aware of little clues along my journey that they will all piece together and develop into a… Read more »
Stephen,I admire you for your honesty. I think many people, including myself, are probably relieved after reading your column. You expressed so much of what I’ve been feeling recently,. I’d been feeling quite alone because of the way I was feeling. That changed today with your column, so thank you! I’ve always been one to know exactly what I wanted, & have most often had passion for my work and my life. But, now I’m feeling at a crossroads. Not sure of what direction to head in next. I do think this has something to do with our age —… Read more »
Elizabeth…thanks for your words of encouragement. I, too, am glad to know that there are others out there like me. I don’t think there is anything wrong with us. I think age does play a role in it as we want to think that we might be able to leave something positive behind that makes us feel that our efforts were not wasted. I have been told that there might not be a singular a-ha moment. Instead, there are little signs that we need to be aware of that, when put together, will lead us down a path of enlightenment.… Read more »
Hello there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and in my opinion recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.