There seems to be a split down the middle in regards to the ways in which people believe professional lives should be spent: some think that everybody should get a steady job that pays the bills and keeps food on the table, and some think that a bit more risk should be taken in order to secure a dream job. There are valid points to both arguments, and we’re going to take a look at some of them here.

First of all, in the world of adulthood, it is vital that money is earned — that much is certain. It is said that everybody is only two paydays away from homelessness, and in this sense you see how vital it is to remain in a job that offers security and to not do anything that could hamper it, such as focussing your time and efforts on chasing a dream job so that it affects the way in which you perform in your day job.

If you, say, spend your spare time doing something that increases your chances of landing your dream job and that subsequently results in a lack of sleep at night, then this will lead to tiredness at work the next day, which could lead to you underperforming… and that could lead to your sacking. When it is thought about in this sense, it really does make sense to stick with the ‘traditional nine to five’ day job and to focus all of your efforts on it.

However, what about the toll this kind of profession takes on a person’s happiness and morale? What if the work is so tediously boring that they just can’t muster up any sort of enthusiasm to do it? What if they simply get sick of working for somebody else and want to venture out on their own? Not everybody is designed to work for people, or do work that they simply don’t enjoy; these needs of the human spirit can never be ignored, can they? In this sense, it makes sense why some people forgo the security of a traditional job and follow their dream: whether this be to start their own business enterprise or follow their childhood aspirations. Some even ditch the day job in order to regain a bit of purpose and direction in their life, similar to that that is experienced in a person’s teenage years and their early twenties.

But how do some people end up on one career path, and others on another? A big reason, in this day and age, is because of the fact that the lucrative jobs out there, which are more than likely going to be the ‘dream jobs’, are only attainable through years of hard work and studying. For instance, to become a pilot you must undertake an aviation course, such as that offered at https://saft.edu.au/, and it will usually take three to five years for a student taking it to become legally qualified. And to become an aircraft baggage handler you don’t have to go through years of extensive training — you have to tick off the points on the checklist found here: http://www.careercentre.dtwd.wa.gov.au/Occupations/Pages/aircraft-baggage-handler-and-airline-ground-crew.aspx, which include being physically fit and the ability to work as part of a team. This is not to say that either career choice is a better option than the other, no, this is just to seemingly show the difference between the two paths and why there is such a gulf between the day job and the dream job.

It appears that the answer to question (although there was never one posed) is simple: a career choice is dependant on what people are comfortable doing. Not everybody is cut out to dedicate years’ worth of effort into a venture, just as much as some people aren’t cut out to make an ‘honest living’. Whichever way you choose to lead your professional life, choose the one that brings the most physical, mental and spiritual comfort to your home life.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.