Reading time: 2 minutes
We all carry dreams about what success looks like. Maybe it’s a certain job title, a specific salary, or the prestige that comes with a role. Sometimes those dreams feel so vivid and urgent, we hold onto them tightly — like a roadmap to happiness.
But sometimes the dreams we chase aren’t really our dreams at all!
They’re dreams borrowed from other people’s expectations.
Dreams adopted from the stories we’ve absorbed growing up, at school, or from those around us.
Dreams shaped more by what sounds impressive or “normal” than by what genuinely excites us.
Think about it for a moment.
How often have you been attracted to a job just because it “looks good”? Because the title sounds impressive? Because it matches what others expect from you — your parents, teachers, or friends? You keep going through the days, telling yourself this is what you want. But deep down, there’s a feeling of emptiness—something that no amount of praise or success from others can fill.
Ask yourself: Whose dream am I living?
If you’re struggling in your current role, this question might feel unsettling — even uncomfortable. But it’s necessary.
- Do I really want this job?
- What does success actually mean to me — beyond what others say it should look like?
For many, this is the moment when the mask slips. When the story we’ve been telling ourselves about who we “should” be starts to crack. And that’s where real clarity begins.
Finding work that truly motivates you isn’t always easy. It might mean questioning ideas you’ve believed for a long time and trying new paths you don’t know yet. But when you do, things start to change. Your job doesn’t feel like something you have to pretend to enjoy—it feels like something you really want to do.
This kind of purpose is different for everyone. It might not come with a fancy title or a big paycheck right away. But it gives you something much more important: energy, meaning, and a true sense of purpose that copied dreams can’t give.
At the end of the day, the best job isn’t the one that looks good to others—it’s the one that feels good to you.
