A Dream Deferred
What happens to a dream deferred?
At 14 I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I would be a wealthy domestic engineer even though I came from a socio-economic class where that never seemed like an option. Then real life set in and I had to start #professionaladulting because I wasn’t yet wealthy or in a position to be a domestic engineer.
So what did you once dream of? Who do you dream of becoming today?
There are many ways you can find your passion, purpose or calling in life but in the meantime, you walk along the journey. As you walk, consider a few things:
What are the things you truly love to do?
What are the things you are gifted at?
What need can you meet for people by being you?
The answers to those questions should give you a general idea of the dream that you may have deferred or have yet to dream. Regardless of how you feel about where you are today, it is never too late to dream a dream or start a new goal. Every job, every career change, every promotion, every experience good or bad can be used to develop something in you to help prepare you for that dream.
So how do you value and subsequently express that experience? Have you considered mapping out your professional journey from where you are to your dreams?
You express and show the value of that experience through your resume.
When reviewed, it should not only show who you are but provide insight into who you want to become professionally. It is a written representation of your professional portfolio. Employers make assessments on who you are based on this representation.
Have you taken the time to ensure that YOU are in it?
The best you that is… the unique skills, experiences, perspectives and talents that you bring. The picture of you that has learned to see beyond immediate gain to learn and develop skills and serve as a resource for causes greater than yourself.
You develop your professional plan by identifying the space between where you are and where you want to be.
When assessing where you are – consider the experiences, the skills and the people. Complete an analysis to determine what knowledge, skill and ability you need in comparison to what you have. Think about ways you can develop that experience in both traditional (#professionaladulting, education) and non-traditional (volunteering, personal projects) ways.
So what happens to a dream deferred? Nothing if we don’t work towards it.