Should I Take The Safe Job or Do What I Love?

And we shall go..

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And we begin..

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Here we go..

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Finally..

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And now..

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Q: Patrick writes: “I’m a talent agent and my boss recently slashed my hours in half so now I'm part-time due to the economy. However, I think this is the greatest gift ever! My background is in video production and development. Here is the situation: My best friend/advisor is setting me up with a job that I don't really want. It's focused on graphic design, number crunching, and sitting behind a desk for around $35,000 a year (awesome for being just out of college).” 

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Patrick writes, “However, my passion is in the entertainment industry. I really want to find work in Hollywood or even here at home in Chicago working behind the scenes with media and video. Do I take the job that will provide comfort and pay the bills? Or should I pursue my DREAM JOB where even though I'll start at the bottom, I'll be able to use my entrepreneurial skills to work my way up? Little side bar: My friend is saying that I would be throwing away a big relationship opportunity with him and this company by turning down the job because it will greatly expand my capabilities. My tendencies, however, are to actually work in something that I really want to do. Do I pursue my dreams and sacrifice some possible relationships with a close friend?”

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A: Patrick, awesome freakin question. And I have a very strong opinion here Patrick! You know what I say? NOW run to your freaking dream job now! Go for it YES YES YES YES YES and I think your friend is maybe not your friend but we’ll talk about him in a minute.

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Here is the deal Patrick - now is YOUR time! Of course, I think you should pursue your passion at any age, but the truth is the younger you start the easier it can be. So you say you’re just out of college which means you’re likely in your early twenties. This is the thing: this is probably the ONLY time in your life brother that you’re not gonna have big financial obligations like a mortgage or a family to take care of so you need to run do not walk to your dream job. Do it now brother!

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I also want to mention 3 things in your question that caught my attention. That rhymed! First--- you say, “Or should I pursue my DREAM JOB where even though I'll start at the bottom (ding, ding, ding), I'll be able to use my entrepreneurial skills to work my way up?”

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The salary they are offering you is $35,000 thousand a year. I got news for you man, That IS starting at the bottom! My point is is that it really is an entry-level salary so… You might as well “start at the bottom” in the field that you REALLY want to work in rather than pushing papers and number cruncher just because your friend/advisor wants you to do it. When you’re young, hungry, and willing to produce results CONSISTENTLY (that’s a keyword), you will really gonna work your way up to big opportunities - fast.

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Here’s the problem I run into with a lot of people that are your age - they’re inconsistent. They may be SUPER talented, they may be great at what they do and driven but they are not producing results consistently.

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They’re either too focused on partying, or they have personal drama and it really gets in the way in their professionalism and of moving up in their field. Don’t do that! Once you get your foot in the door, be a STAR from the get go and here’s what that means: show up on time, be proactive, be professional, you want to treat the person’s business whoever you’re working for like it’s your business.

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I tell you if you do that, the sky is gonna be the limit. The second thing I want to mention is I’m a little suspect of your best friend or advisor as you call them. You only want to work on someone who has your own best interest in mind. Here’s a thing, with real friend, you are never gonna lose out on some big relationship opportunity.

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Why? Because all they’re gonna want is the best for you, what’s in your best interest, what you want in your heart. They’re gonna be happy for you even if it doesn’t you know, serve them. Now the final thing I wanna highlight, which is the most important is this: you said, “My tendencies, however, are to actually work in something that I really want to do.” There’s an old saying that goes and it goes like this and yes, it’s a Tweetable! “People rarely succeed at anything unless they have fun doing it.” -Dale Carnegie 

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Bottom line Patrick, if you enjoy media and video production ---> DO IT for life! And get paid for it!! GO FOLLOW YOUR DREAM now. Trust me when I say it IS possible to get paid for doing what you love. You’ll never regret doing what your heart tells you to do. That’s all I got for you Patrick, I hope you enjoyed this A to your Q.

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Now if you’ve got insight to share about going for YOUR dreams, I want to hear about it in the comments below. Like this video? SUBSCRIBE and of course, share it with your friends! If you want even MORE great resources to kick-ass in business and life, PLUS personal insights from me that I’d never put in a video, come on over to marieforleo.com and sign-up for email updates. Thank you so much for watching and I’ll catch you next time!

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