Blog Post: Should you feel guilty pursuing your passion in a down economy?

The answer is absolutely not – you should not feel guilty about pursuing your passion in any economy.   You would think that the majority of people coming to me for career strategy advice would be those who are unemployed, but the truth is that the majority of the people that come to me are people who are tired of being stuck in a job that they are not passionate about and can barely get out of bed because they are miserable.  They want to start living their passion today and bottom line they want to be happy.   Part of them feels guilty that so many people that they know have been affected by a layoff and that they “should” be even happy that they have a job, but the truth is that they are not. 

So what do I recommend that they do?   I recommend that they start taking the steps today that are necessary to live their passion.  Those steps may include a short-term and a long-term strategy.   In the short-term, they may need to stay in a job that they are not passionate about, but start making a plan of how they are going to start living their dream.  Those steps may include getting additional training, volunteering, conducting informational interviews, and researching.   The key is to be doing some every day to get you closer to your dream and remember to keep your eye on the prize aka “your dream job”.

A lot of people say isn’t it a pipedream to pursue my passion in a down economy?  Again, I say absolutely not.  Let’s take Gail Hill for example who ended up finding her dream job this year even in one of the hardest hit industries (hospitality) and even after being fired from her last job.  Gail followed the steps that I outline in my book “Finding Your Passion:  The Easy Guide to Your Dream Career” (www.myeasycareerguide.com) and found success.   Gail Hill shares:  “I started to grow weary and doubt my abilities these last few months, but your "Five Steps to Living Your Passion in Your Career" really helped me get through this tough time!  I HAD to believe in myself, learn to get over my fear of speaking to people I didn’t know and network, and lean on my awesome support team that encouraged me along the way! Thank you Marcy for helping me to uncover my passion despite the odds!  I'm really excited about my new job and my future!!”   The five steps that Gail follow are:  1) uncover your passion/strengths, 2) market/sell your skills, 3) build a support team, 4) network, and 5) put together a plan. 

So it’s time to ask yourself “why can’t I pursue my passion in any economy?”   Don’t we all deserve to be happy at any time – why should an economic downturn put our happiness on hold?  Don’t hesitate – your dream job is waiting.

To start living your passion today, join Phil Blair, CEO of Manpower and I for a fun and interactive Strategies for Job Success Seminar this Wednesday 10/7 and enter the code JOBING in the registration field to receive a special discounted rate of $49 - all participants will be entered in a Career Makeover Giveaway valued at $2,000.  Register today to get this special rate at www.regonline.com/strategiesforsucess 

Marcy Morrison is a Career Strategist and owner of Careers With Wings(www.careerswithwings.com).  Marcy is passionate about helping others find their dream career via speaking engagements, media appearances, workshops/training, one-on-one sessions and her book "Finding Your Passion:  An Easy Guide to Your Dream Career”(www.myeasycareerguide.com).  “Finding Your Passion” is filled with inspirational stories of people living their passion along with practical, interactive tools of how to live your passion.  Sign up on Marcy’s website to receive information of how you can start living your passion through your career now (www.careerswithwings.com).  Marcy is equally dedicated to her vision of giving children and communities opportunities – or wings – to rise above poverty.  She serves on the advisory board of the Just Like My Child Foundation(www.justlikemychild.org) and donates 10 percent of her earnings to the organization.  Marcy received San Diego 's North County Philanthropy Association's Volunteer Award for her work.