When I teach the Ideal Career workshop, I mention clearly that “ideal” in this case refers to “identity + deal.”
That is, an ideal career is based on who you TRULY are (your identity) and how you negotiate a deal with employers or clients about what you create for them, and how you are compensated in return.
I also mention that an ideal career is something you want, while a job is merely something you need.
It is precisely the WANTING in a career that sustains your passion and excitement.
If you want to get up every day, and get to work as soon as possible, then you probably have an ideal career. If not, then maybe not.
That is, you have a job.
There’s nothing wrong with having a job. It’s something you need. And often, it gives you time to develop many skills as well as get to know more about yourself and other people.
Then, after you have enough stability, you can begin to set your sights higher and aim for an ideal career.
Another important distinction is that a job prevents you from losing, while an ideal career allows you to win. In other words, having a job does NOT mean that you are winning. It simply means you are NOT losing.
To use the hockey metaphor, a job is like defense while an ideal career is like offense. You need both.
Sometimes, an artist who is talented (or so he thinks) might try to go for an ideal career without taking care of his finances (that is, without having a job, whether it’s part-time or full-time). This often invites catastrophe.
This is why it’s important to develop financial discipline and get a part-time or full-time job before trying to embark on one’s ideal career.
If your job is related to your ideal career, then it’s really great. For example, an aspiring actor who works as an administrative assistant or coordinator for a movie production company.
My point is simply that everybody needs a job. But not everybody wants a career, let alone an ideal career. And that’s okay.
The Ideal Career course is not for everyone, it’s for those who want something meaningful and psychically rewarding from their working lives. After all, we work about one third of our lives, so wanting to feel happy and fulfilled during that time is not an unreasonable demand.
