GNT #094: Don’t Find Your Dream Job, Craft Your Dream Day

read time: 3.5 minutes
 

Growing up, no one dreams of becoming a "Senior Data Analyst" or a "Sales Strategist." We imagine ourselves as astronauts, artists, or marine biologists.

I dreamed of running the local feed mill and handing out candy to farm kids. (And honestly, it’s still up there.)

But life happens, and many of us end up in jobs our younger selves couldn't even imagine.

Instead of chasing a mythical “dream job,” what if you focused on crafting your dream day - one rooted in how you want to live, not the job title you want to hold?

Why?

We spend about one-third of our lives working, but it’s not the job title that defines happiness. It’s the routine, the tasks, the interactions, and the sense of fulfillment from doing meaningful work. Studies show that having a structured, enjoyable daily routine is a key contributor to long-term job satisfaction.

Today, we’re flipping the script on the old advice to “find your dream job.” Instead, let’s focus on crafting your dream day - because when you enjoy what you do daily, the title doesn’t matter. 

Here’s how you can break it down and start building the workday you actually want.

4 Questions for Designing Your Dream Day 

Productivity expert Laura Vanderkam suggests that designing your ideal day starts with intentional choices about how you spend your time. The goal is to align your day with activities that energize and fulfill you.

Take a moment to reflect, journal, or discuss these four questions to start shaping your dream day:

1. Where Do You Work Best?
   Think about the environment where you're most productive. Do you thrive in a co-working space or prefer the quiet focus of a home office? Does being outdoors inspire you, or do you need the structure of a traditional office?

2. What Tasks Energize You?
   Identify the tasks that leave you feeling engaged and energized. Do you enjoy problem-solving, brainstorming, or long-term planning? Equally important, what drains your energy? I started this newsletter almost two years ago from a spark of an idea and discovered my passion for simplifying complex ideas through writing.

3. Who Do You Interact With?
   Consider how and when you prefer to engage with others. Do you thrive in collaborative settings or work better independently? Are you energized by face-to-face meetings or prefer asynchronous communication like email or Slack? Personally, I’ve found scheduling afternoon meetings keeps my energy up, while mornings are reserved for deep, focused work.

4. What Does Your Ideal Day Look Like?
   Visualize your ideal workday from start to finish. When do you start? What tasks fill your day? How much flexibility do you need to feel balanced and productive?

Small Steps or Big Shifts

After reflecting on your ideal day, it’s time to put that vision into action. You don’t need a whole new career to feel fulfilled - small tweaks can make a big difference. But if your current role doesn’t align with your dream day, larger changes may be necessary.

Quick Wins

• Optimize your workspace: Small environmental changes - better lighting, desk organization, or ergonomic furniture - can improve focus and productivity. I re-committed to using a standing desk this spring, and it’s completely changed how my body feels after work.

• Reorganize Your Schedule: Identify energizing tasks and time-block them. Batch similar activities to maintain flow and reduce mental switching. Use these 3 meetings to manage your time and sanity.

• Set Boundaries for Interactions: If meetings drain you, can you schedule blocks of time for deep work? On the flip side, if collaboration fuels your productivity, make sure you're getting regular touchpoints with your team.

Larger Shifts

If small tweaks aren’t enough, it may be time for bigger changes to realign your work with what truly matters.

• Reimagine Your Current Role: Could you reshape your responsibilities to better align with what excites you? If you’re a business owner, think about how you can focus on what energizes you. Small adjustments can lead to big improvements in your day-to-day experience.

• Seek new opportunities: If adjustments haven’t brought the change you need, it might be time to explore a fresh path—whether that’s a new role within your company, a position elsewhere, or starting something of your own. Networking and connecting with mentors can open doors and guide you toward opportunities that better align with your vision. Read more GNT #078: This Weekly Networking Habit Changed Everything
  
  

Takeaway

Be bold in seeking out what drives you, knowing that sometimes the next step means embracing the unknown.

What’s one change you can make this week to get closer to your dream day?

See you next week friends!

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