Let’s be honest. The biggest question on your mind is, “What am I going to do with my life?” It’s something I know you’ve put off because there doesn’t seem to be a simple answer. If you’re like most unhappy practicing attorneys, you freak out every time you think about this question. You dread going out because friends are always asking you what you’re going to do if you don’t practice law, and you feel like you’re supposed to have a well-thought-out life plan. You’re always being told about so-and-so who unexpectedly got a call from an old friend to be the “general counsel of a cool new company” or some other legal urban legend. It is impossible to live up to expectations. Well, I have good news. You’re normal. This is what everyone who has ever left the law has thought at one time or another in their lives.

So how do you find out what your dream job is? The first thing you need to do is ask yourself some tough questions. I know a lot of you are thinking, oh no, this is going to be one of those touchy parts where someone is going to cry. This is not a giant group hug! What I want you to do is observe yourself. Imagine that you are a scientist studying your own behaviors. What do you like and what don’t you like? What are you good at? What are your passions? What do you do in your free time? What would you do if you knew that you cannot fail, but if you try you will be a great success? Forget what you think you can’t do. Today, the sky is the limit. Everything is possible. Allow yourself to dream!

Here are the top 6 tips for figuring out what the heck your dream job is anyway!

1. Look at the tracks of your life:
   1. Life speaks in whispers, listen.
   2. What attracts you?
   3. Look at your bedroom. What books and magazines do you read? What hobbies interest you? What are your passions?
2. Meet people who are not lawyers:
   1. Talk to everyone you meet about what they do and how they got there.
   2. Talk to people about their interests.
   3. See what interests you in other people.
3. Keep a notebook:
   1. Brainstorm job titles.
   2. Think of all the careers and industries you might be interested in.
   3. Allow yourself to dream big.
4. Be patient:
   1. Take time, move on.
   2. Take action, propelling yourself into momentum.
5. Expose yourself to new things:
   1. Read a “how to” book.
   2. Wait at the conference.
   3. Join the emcees and practice public speaking.
   4. Ask for new responsibilities in a part-time job.
   5. Join committees.
   6. Volunteer for responsibilities you’ve never tried.
   7. Try something new and crazy.
6. Be open to all possibilities.
   1. There is nothing silly about chasing your dreams.
   2. Stop thinking this is a “silly dream” and do it.

Life is too short to give up on your dreams. May you discover, land and excel in the race of your life!

© Work in Progress, Inc. 2008-2009