Client Log In
Book a Free Call

How to Use Your Current Role to Land Your Dream Job

Oct 14, 2024
A visual representation of techniques for transforming your current role into a stepping stone for your dream job.

Ever feel like you're just... existing? Like your job is happening to you, and you're just waiting for something—anything—to change? You’re hoping for that dream job, wishing for a career that lights you up, or fantasizing about finally doing work that means something. But then, reality smacks you in the face. There’s that paycheck you can’t let go of, the endless tasks that drown your days, and before you know it, you’re trapped in the cycle again.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: You don’t have to stay stuck in the “one day” loop forever. And let me be clear—you don't need to quit your job tomorrow, have it all figured out, or make some huge leap off a cliff.

The change is so much simpler. It’s about adopting an entrepreneurial mindset—no matter what job you’re in right now. Heather Hays, a business mentor who’s seen it all, says that the key isn't to wait for that perfect moment, but to start where you are and shift the way you see your role.

Because guess what? That dream job isn't as far away as you think. You just need to start seeing the opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Prefer to Watch the Video Version? How to Pivot Career with Purpose

What Is The Best Dream Job?

The best dream job isn’t about flashy titles, big paychecks, or fancy perks. It’s not about what sounds impressive on paper or what other people say is “the right path.” The best dream job is the one that makes you come alive. It’s the role where your strengths are in full flow, where your work feels meaningful, and where you wake up excited—not dreading the day ahead.

Think about it: What gets you so fired up you lose track of time? What type of work makes you feel energized, fulfilled, and—dare I say it—even happy? That's your compass.

Your dream job is the one where your passions and skills align with what the world needs—and where you feel you can make an impact. And guess what? It looks different for everyone.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” dream job. There’s just the one that fits you.

Your Job is an Investment in Your Future—Not a Trap

“I’d love to change careers, but I need the stability of my job.” Ever catch yourself saying that? Maybe it’s the financial responsibilities, health insurance, or supporting your family—it’s totally understandable. You’re not alone in feeling like your current job is a cage holding you back from the life you want.

But what if—just what if—your job wasn’t a barrier but a bridge?

Here’s a mindset shift that changes everything: Instead of seeing your job as a trap, start seeing it as an investment in your future.

Your job is working for you. You’re not working for it.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in a corporate role, working part-time, or doing volunteer work—you can use your current situation to your advantage by thinking like an entrepreneur. Every paycheck, every skill, every single person you meet—they’re all assets. Tools you can use to build that future you're dreaming of. It’s all about shifting how you view your role.

So ask yourself: How can you use this job as a launchpad? How can you turn it into a space where you grow, learn, and get one step closer to those dreams?
In fact, let’s dive into a few ways you can make that happen.

Little Steps Add Up—How To Get Your Dream Job

Dreaming of a major career shift? It can feel huge, right? Like a mountain you’re not quite sure how to climb. But here’s the truth—you don’t have to quit your job today to start building the life you want. In fact, the smallest actions can lead to the biggest changes over time.

1. Start with 10 Minutes a Day

Don’t underestimate what you can accomplish in just 10 minutes. You don’t need a radical schedule overhaul; you just need to make tiny pockets of time work for you. How?

  • Read. If you want to start a business or switch careers, spend those 10 minutes reading the stories of people who’ve done it before. Ten pages a day might seem like nothing, but in a year, you’ll have read 12 books. Think about that—12 books' worth of inspiration and guidance, all by using those little slices of your day.
  • Write. Take 10 minutes every morning to jot down ideas. No pressure, no overthinking—just write. Brainstorm business concepts, dream jobs, goals, or even what type of work gives you energy. Document what lights you up, and watch those scattered thoughts start to reveal patterns.
  • Invest. Start putting away a small portion of your paycheck—whether it’s $5, $50, or $500—as an investment in you. That’s money for that online course, equipment for your side hustle, or just seed money to make your dreams happen. It’s not the amount that matters; it’s the habit.

Little by little, these small steps build a foundation. They’re not about rushing to the finish line—they’re about consistency. And consistency wins.

2. See Your Job as a Platform for Growth

Let’s flip the script. Instead of seeing your job as a hurdle holding you back, what if you saw it as an opportunity? Every role you hold, every task you tackle—it’s a chance to grow.

  • Test Your Ideas. Dreaming of launching a side hustle? Use your current role as a testing ground. Float your ideas to coworkers, see what resonates, and refine your pitch. It's like having a focus group built right into your work life.
  • Network with Intention. The people you work with right now could be your first clients, collaborators, or that connection that opens the door to your dream job. Get to know them beyond small talk, build real relationships, and watch how those connections evolve.
  • Learn on the Job. So maybe you’re in a job that feels completely unrelated to your future dream. That's okay! The skills you’re developing right now—project management, communication, problem-solving—they’re all transferable. Think of your current role as a crash course in skills you’ll repurpose for that dream career.

Shift the narrative. You’re not stuck in this job—you’re preparing. Every little action is a strategic step toward where you really want to be.

Ready to repurpose your skills and pivot into a fulfilling career? Grab my FREE Transferable Skills Guide today

Adopt the Entrepreneurial Mindset—No Matter What You Do

Here’s the secret shared by Heather Hays: You don’t have to own a business to think like an entrepreneur. That’s right—whether you’re a student, a volunteer, or stuck in a 9-to-5, you can start right now to adopt that entrepreneurial mindset. And trust me—it will change everything.

What Is the Entrepreneurial Mindset?

Spoiler alert: It’s not about owning a company or having a big, bold idea (although that’s great too). It’s a way of thinking. It’s about innovation, creativity, and ambition. It's about being proactive—taking charge of your life and your work, instead of letting things “just happen.”

  • Innovators solve problems. Entrepreneurs constantly ask, "How can I make this better?" And you don’t need a CEO title to do that. No matter what your role is, start asking yourself: How can I add value? What problems can I solve here? You’ll not only make your workday more interesting, but you’ll also start positioning yourself as someone who makes things happen.
  • Creators bring ideas to life. Have you ever had an idea that got your heart racing? Whether it’s a process improvement, a product tweak, or a fresh approach to an old problem, you’re already thinking like an entrepreneur. Find ways to bring those ideas to the table—whether it's a small suggestion in a meeting or a whole new approach to a project. You’re creating momentum.
  • Ambitious people propel themselves forward. Entrepreneurs don’t wait for opportunities to magically appear—they make them. Even if you're in a job that doesn't make your soul sing, how can you take on a project that lights you up? How can you align your tasks with what you’re passionate about? Don’t sit back and wait for someone to recognize your potential—advocate for yourself.

Entrepreneurs don’t ask for permission to start—they just start. And that’s a mindset you can adopt no matter where you are.

Want to hear more from Heather Hays? Check out the full conversation on my podcast Career Clarity Unlocked!

Listen to Your Intuition and Work in Your "Zone of Genius"

Ever sit at your desk and think, What am I even doing here? Like you're in the wrong place, playing the wrong part? A lot of people feel this way—and most of the time, they think they’re the problem.

But let’s get one thing straight: It’s not you—it’s the fit.

When your work isn’t aligned with your passions, skills, or strengths, it feels like you’re forcing yourself into a role that just doesn’t fit. And guess what? It’s not that you’re not good enough; it’s that you’re not doing work that fires you up.

You’ve got to start listening to your intuition. What makes you feel alive? What gets you excited to wake up in the morning? That’s your "zone of genius"—the kind of work that lets you show up as your best self. And once you find that zone, everything changes. You’re not just showing up; you’re thriving.

Find Your "Zone of Genius"

Every one of us has a "zone of genius"—the work we do that feels energizing, fulfilling, and natural. When you’re in that zone, you’re not just doing your job—you’re thriving. Your best ideas flow, your confidence soars, and suddenly, work feels like a place where you want to be.

Maybe your zone of genius is teaching and sharing knowledge, or perhaps it’s brainstorming creative solutions and bringing ideas to life. For others, it might be organizing chaos into perfect order or solving complex problems. Whatever it is, it’s the kind of work that feels effortless, where you're fully engaged, and where you feel most like yourself. When you find that zone, everything shifts. Your energy spikes. Your productivity follows. And work? It stops feeling like a grind and starts feeling like a way to make your mark.

If you’ve been hopping from job to job, always feeling a bit out of place, it’s probably because you haven’t yet aligned with your true strengths and passions. And that’s okay—it’s part of the journey. But don’t let it be your forever.

Here’s how you can start finding your zone of genius:

  1. Reflect on what makes you come alive. What tasks do you genuinely look forward to? Where do you feel like you're contributing in a way that excites you?
  2. Leverage your current role. Even if your job isn’t perfect, find ways to tap into your strengths. Can you take on a side project or suggest ideas that align with your talents?
  3. Make micro-pivots. You don’t need an overnight transformation. Gradually shift your career path toward what energizes you—every small change gets you closer to work that feels right.

Challenges in Pursuing Your Dream Job

Let’s be real—most of us end up in jobs because they were convenient, available, or just “what everyone else was doing.” And it’s easy to stay there, thinking that’s just how life goes. But here’s the truth: You don’t have to settle for a life that’s just happening to you.

You have the power to take the reins of your career. To be intentional. To decide what you really want your life to look like and then take action to make it a reality. No more autopilot. No more waiting for “the right moment.” You get to choose the direction you go from here.

And here's the thing—it’s not about quitting your job tomorrow or making a wild, drastic change overnight. It's about being proactive. It’s about small, steady, purposeful steps that move you closer to your dream life every single day.

Ask yourself: What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to your ideal life? Can you start a conversation with someone in a role you admire? Can you carve out time to learn a skill you’ve always wanted? How can you start taking control—not just of your career, but of your finances, your passions, your future?

You don’t have to know all the answers. But you do have to start.

It’s Not About Being Perfect—It’s About Progress

Perfection is the enemy of progress. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that everything has to be perfectly lined up before we can make a move. Whether it’s launching a business, switching careers, or diving into that passion project, the fear of getting it “wrong” can leave you stuck—paralyzed by your own overthinking.

But here’s the truth: You don’t have to be perfect to start.

No one is. Not the entrepreneurs you admire, not the authors you follow, not even the experts in your field. They all started somewhere, often messy and far from perfect. The real difference? They took that first step. And then another. And another.

Progress is what matters. It’s what moves you forward. Every single action you take—whether it's reading 10 pages of a book that inspires you, connecting with someone who can give you insight, or simply scribbling down ideas for your next move—gets you closer to where you want to be.

Perfection is just a fancy way to procrastinate. Start messy. Start unsure. Just start.

FAQs: How To Find Your Dream Job

How to figure out your dream job?

To figure out your dream job, start by identifying what truly makes you come alive—those activities that energize you, bring you joy, and make time fly. Think about the moments when you’ve felt fully engaged, whether at work or outside, even if you weren’t paid for it. These are clues to what aligns with your natural strengths and passions. Reflect on these experiences and envision a role where you could spend most of your time doing those things. That’s the path to discovering a job that feels both fulfilling and purpose-driven.
To make this process easier, download the free Ultimate Transferable Skills Guide. It will help you uncover hidden strengths and talents you may not even realize you have—the skills that are key to finding a career that matches your potential and passion. Understanding your transferable skills is a powerful step in turning those strengths into a meaningful, new career.


What career do people want the most?

The careers people are gravitating towards include Project Management, Marketing, and Human Resources. Project Management is popular because it gives professionals a chance to lead, using key business skills like budgeting, communication, and time management. With digital transformation across industries like tech and healthcare, the demand for project managers is rapidly growing.

Marketing, especially Digital Marketing, is also a top choice, offering the chance to blend creativity with analytics, making it an ideal fit for those passionate about online strategy and brand building. As companies focus on e-commerce, roles like digital marketing manager and content director are booming.

Lastly, Human Resources and Talent Management attract those drawn to people-focused work, where they can shape company culture and drive initiatives around diversity, equity, and employee well-being, gaining more influence in the C-suite.

About the author

After years of feeling unfulfilled in my career and not knowing what I’m meant to do or how to find it without starting over... I finally figured out what I'm here to do! And found a career that makes me excited to wake up and go to work every day. And I know that one day, I'll look back on my career with joy and satisfaction, knowing that I did something that truly mattered.

How did I find it?
By getting crystal clear on what I'm meant to do.
Getting this clarity is easier than you think, and I love guiding my clients through the discovery process... and empowering them to find their ideal career.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, listen to the Career Clarity Unlocked Podcast, or schedule your free 30-minute career clarity consultation.

Conclusion: You Have the Power to Create Your Future

If you take one thing away from all of this, let it be this: You have the power to create the life you want. You don’t have to wait for the stars to align, for permission, or for that “perfect” moment. Start right where you are.

Your job, your skills, your experiences—they’re not just things you “deal with” until something better comes along. They’re stepping stones. And when you embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, you take back control. You stop waiting for life to happen, and you start creating your path. You’d be surprised at what happens when you take that first step—the doors that open, the connections you make, and the energy that comes flooding back into your life.
 

Remember: You don’t need to have it all figured out. It’s not about doing everything all at once. It’s about starting. And once you start, you build momentum. Every small action leads to the next, and before you know it, you’re building a life that excites you, fulfills you, and brings you joy.

You can do this. The perfect time isn’t “one day”—it’s now.

Career Strategies Resources

Ready to find the career that lights you up? Join the Career Clarity Formula and discover how to land your dream job—in just 30 days. Guaranteed.

 

👉 Ready for career clarity in record time? Request a free consultation with me today. 

Let's chat