How I Followed My Dreams & Landed My Dream Job


If you're a regular reader of my blog or you follow me on social media, you might know that I recently graduated and landed a job in my dream career. I cannot begin to explain how happy it makes me and how much pride I have in myself for achieving this but I can share some key tips on how I managed to follow my dreams and land my dream career.


It is common to be unsure of what you want to do with your life. At school there's so much pressure to know and prepare yourself for adult life but how many people really know when they're just enjoying their teens? I was extremely lucky and knew before I even reached secondary school. I had a passion in my heart for education and it stayed with me all this time. But if you're unsure, there will be a time in your life where you figure out what it is that you want to do. Whether you are 9, 12, 16, 21 or even later. When you know, you know. Some of the greats didn't settle into their dream careers and become successful until they were in their late 20s or 30s. J.K. Rowling for example. Harry Potter was first thought when she was 25 but The Philosopher's Stone was published when she was 32. She followed her dreams and look at her now. First, know what it is you want to do with your life. And then we go from there.

Do your research - It's important when you get started to do all the research you can on your dream job and how to get there. You need to find out what you need educationally, how to get there, how long it might take and what experiences you might need prior. When I decided to go back to working on my dream of teaching after 4 years of retail I was sure to do all the research I could so that I could have the best possible chance of becoming a teacher. I looked into everything: how long it might take, what prior experience I might need, which path I preferred educationally and financials too. I worked out a timeline and prepared well. With all this done, I landed a job as a TA and my journey began just weeks after deciding to follow my dream once and for all.

Motivation and perseverance - Motivation and perseverance will be key throughout your journey towards the dream job. Without these two key factors, how can you keep going? Throughout your journey you will be challenged, you will face bumps in the road and you cannot let it stop you. You need to understand that it will be difficult and prepare yourself mentally for this. Power through, climb out of the hole and even when you think you can't do it, prove yourself wrong. You might feel like you're at your lowest and even if you are, the only way can be up then.


Passion - passion breeds motivation and perseverance. If you have passion, you have all the things you need to reach your goal. For me passion for your dream means there's a reason you want it. And no matter how big or small the reason might be, it should be enough to fuel the fire and go for it. Passion will help you be motivated, learn and be the very best you can be at what you want to do. I've always been passionate about teaching and when I was in retail and people asked me what happened to teaching, it always broke my heart because it was always a passion. Even if I tried to hide it from myself, there was always going to be a passion for it that would soon override everything and take over. Now I get to work doing what I feel most passionate about. Now, I love Mondays.

Take risks - Following your dreams might mean that you have to take some risks. You need to give it a chance even if you aren't sure how it'll turn out. If not, how will you ever know what would have happened if you didn't even try? You've got to be brave. I risked quite a lot to get to where I am. I risked jobs, I risked time and money too. Though it feels like I'm starting adult working life again, it was a risk worth taking because now I know I will be able to do what I want to do with my life and be happy with it.


Sacrifice - This is similar to taking risks but not quite the same. Following your dreams means you might have to sacrifice a few things to get there. To get on my course I gave up a salary, time I dedicated to the course, being able to afford social events and luxuries, my savings to support me throughout the year and even more time during my weekends to study and work so that I could at least afford to drive my car. I also sacrificed time with my loved ones but fortunately they supported me and understood. Be prepared to give things up. Because when you get there you'll get all those things back and you might appreciate it even more when you have it all again.

Growth mindset - Be prepared to learn, know how to improve and carry on when things are tough. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. With the right mindset you can be your very best self and reach your goals. 


Following your dreams is a long and bumpy road but if it is what you really want in life it can be easy. There's nothing better than knowing there's nothing else you'd rather do career wise. If you dedicate yourself to it and you're realistic you can do amazing things. It is so totally worth it in the end and the success is unimaginably fulfilling. I hope that this post can inspire even just one person to follow their dreams too. People say they're dreams for a reason but imagine turning that into reality? The world is so much better when it is as colourful as it is in your dreams. 

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4 comments

  1. Your such a good writer Cat! I'd love to see you teach! I'm thinking of going back into being a TA as I used to love it! But as you know I have other dreams xD

    Blog - http://fashionistachic14.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/fashion-transitional-wear.html?m=1

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    1. Oh, thank you. Haha, I hope that I am.
      If you love it yeah, but make sure it's right for you. Do what makes you happiest, continue following the dream you really want! xx

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  2. Congrats on getting your dream job! These are fantastic tips to doing so - I'm sure that so many people will find them useful. You've even mentioned things I still do today even though I'm already in a job I absolutely love - it's always good to better yourself! Plus your journals are SO gorgeous!
    Sian xx Rebel Angel

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    1. Thanks doll! I'm glad you like the tips, I hope they are useful to someone at least. I'm glad you're doing some of these things too and in a job you love! It's the best feeling knowing you like going into work! xx

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