Day dreaming on the job?

Are you guilty of this? I sat behind a computer desk for more than 20 years if I count my pre-college days. I know how it is. You have a job that pays okay, where you have some nice co-workers but most days you sit and dream.

You see out the window and see the beautiful sun shining, the birds singing and you think why can’t I have freedom to enjoy this beautiful day. You see the cars zooming by and think why are they out there and I’m stuck in here? And so you dream, dream, and dream.

To be honest, I planned my entire wedding from my work desk and many vacations too. I don’t say that with pride because in reality my dreaming and planning was actually robbing my employer. So what can we do about this longing that we feel as we clock in another day and sit at that same desk. Here are 3 words of advice I can give you:

1-Define Your Priorities

This is going to sound crazy but feeling unhappy at work can actually force us to define what we really want. It forced me to make an inventory of my true priorities. Ask yourself this question: if I didn’t have to work, what passions would I pursue? What would I do? Who would I help? These types of reflections help define our true priorities.

I remember yearning to be present at my son’s school during the day. I dreamt of having lunch with him and volunteering at school parties. I started to see that family was a strong priority in my life. So maybe you can’t do what I did and just quit your job but I’m going to give you some homework. Make a “some day” list. Come on grab some paper and title it “Some Day”.

Define what you love. What does a life of meaning look like to you? If being behind the desk is not fulfilling then what is? Putting it on paper is the first step towards it one day being a reality. If you can’t make it a reality soon then during your retirement years this list will come in handy. I recently read somewhere that it’s very important to stay active during your retirement years. Life is meant to be lived on purpose so define your priorities now.

2-Learn, Learn and Learn some more

Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (KJV). God will never waste anything in our life. So maybe you don’t see your current job as the dream job you’ve always wanted but take this time to learn. Learn as much as you can. Better your skill. Mature in your trade. Gain more experience with every day that passes. Take the time to learn from the people you work with. Take classes, go to trainings. You don’t know what part of the learning you’re gaining now, God will use for your good later.

When I quit to be with my children full time I never imaged God would call me to write. Believe it or not, blogging has a very technical aspect to it. Especially when you’re running your blog all by yourself. I’ve seen God use my previous experience with databases to my benefit now. Now I can see how all those years of running an accounting database at work actually gave me the troubleshooting experience I need to run this site.

I’ll let you in on a secret. The things you choose to learn about give a clue about your true passions. What books do you read? What websites do you visit? What associations do you donate to? These all give clues to what you really value. So keep learning, you may need it for your future dream job.

3-Be Faithful

Let me assure you that your future is secure when you place it in God’s hands. We can’t see the future but God does. At this time when you’re part of this company do your best. Be faithful with what you’ve been given right now. Be on time, meet your deadlines, be honest, work diligently.

Luke 16:12 says, “and if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (NKJV). At the end of the day, we are only stewards of what God has given us. This includes our jobs. Yes, your position at this company is not yours, it belongs to “another man”. Therefore, we must show God that we can be faithful with that which is not ours. If you can’t lead yourself , you’ll never be able to lead others.

Take this time as a testing time. God is watching how we steward our jobs. Will we do our best or cheat? Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” (NKJV). Faithfulness brings blessings. What you are planting today, you will be able to reap tomorrow.

In this journey towards finding meaning and purpose, I’ve learned that success has many definitions. To me success is more than riches or fame, it’s impacting a life one person at a time.

If you haven’t yet found a place of contentment then while you wait define your priorities, learn as much as you can, and be faithful where you are at.

Question:

What can you do today to prepare for the dream job you want tomorrow?