Let's break the prcess down into bitesized pieces.

1. Firstly, you want to find out what it is that you actually enjoy doing. Start by thinking through your hobbies and analyse why it is that they interest you.

   Example: You enjoy woodwork and spend most weekends buried in the shed. This would demonstrate a few key traits, such as;

   1. You don't mind working on projects by yourself.
   2. You enjoy performing a task that has a tangible end result.
   3. You would rather work with materials than intangible products

   Now, just because these things make up a little of your character doesn't mean that you should be a carpenter. You do woodwork as a hobby and would rather it stay that way.

   However, it highlights a few characteristics about what motivates you and these should be considered and analysed well as you think about the career you would like to pursue.
   



2. Next write a list of all the daily events that currently make up your lifestyle. List things like spending time with your spouse, children, going to the gym, your membership with the local book club, house work etc. Once you've listed everything that makes up your life go through the list again and prioritise the events that are the mos important.

   Use a number or letter system to assign the most important events that can't be let go to the ones that you're okay with leaving altogether. This list will become important as you begin to process different career opportunities.

   As you analyse each job opportunity you will be able to use this list to "count the cost" of what will need to go to make room for the dream career. For instance, if you're hoping to be an autonomous marketing consultant with a large established firm then weekly family dinners may become a thing of the past. Some events will need to take second place to your new position and it's better to calculate the cost before you embark on the search than after accepting the job.
   



3. Okay, we're moving along quite nicely now. The next activity would be to think through some of the aspects the new job may need in order to be your dream career. Do you want to work from home? Would you like to travel on a regular basis? Interstate? Overseas? Do you want to work in an office? A shed? A construction site?

   What do the answers to these questions tell you about yourself? Perhaps you enjoy being outside and detest the thought of being cooped up in a claustrophobic little office. Maybe the thought of travel is exciting, but 6 months down the track will it just become a drag living out of suitcases and not being able to commit to people or events back home?
   



4. Now it's time to start getting inspired. Grab a copy of the local employment section and use the answers from the past three activities to assess the possibility of finding that dream career. Cross out the ones that don't fit your self-assessed criteria and circle the ones that do.

   Then begin to rank them in order of most desired to least. Remember that you are not looking for specific jobs at the moment so you can put the phone back down. This is now a research phase.

   If your knowledge of a particular career is limited then you need to source some information. What are the prerequisites? How much does it pay? Does the industry suffer high staff turnover? And if so, why? Which companies are the most dominant and have a good reputation for leading the way not only with their service or product but also with their staff?
   



5. Finally, as you have started to unpack some different options now is the time to begin dreaming. With your skills, personality and knowledge what are you able to bring to that career? How could you be different from all the others who will also be vying for the same place? This will become an important question when we get to day 3 - Making a Job Interview a Job Promotion.