Visualization with a Reality Check
Manifest Your Dream Career—But Stay Grounded in Reality
What if your dream job does exist—but it doesn’t look exactly like what you imagined?
Every week, I coach talented people who feel stuck, frustrated, or downright discouraged in their careers. They want a job that sparks joy, aligns with their values, and uses their gifts—but they don’t know how to find it. Some fear that what they want isn’t “realistic.” Others aim high but don’t take the consistent steps to get there.
Here’s the truth: You can absolutely manifest a fulfilling career—but you also need to meet the universe halfway. That means holding a powerful vision and taking aligned, joyful action.
Let’s unpack what that looks like.
Step One: Dream Big (Without Apologizing)
You are allowed to want more from your career.
You’re allowed to want creativity, flexibility, purpose, meaning, or higher pay. You’re allowed to want to be a makeup influencer, a full-time artist, a video game developer, or a world-traveling speaker. Don’t minimize your dreams because they seem unconventional or competitive.
But don’t stop at the title—ask yourself:
What are the deeper elements I’m craving? Is it storytelling? Autonomy? Beauty? Problem-solving? Recognition?
When you clarify what lights you up, you can start to look for jobs and paths that match those desires—even if they don’t come with the exact label you expected.
Step Two: Get Honest About the Landscape
This is where grounded optimism comes in.
Some fields are harder to break into than others. There’s a limited demand for entry-level video game designers or lifestyle influencers without an existing audience. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible—it means you need strategy, skill-building, and stamina.
Ask yourself:
How many people are actually doing this work right now?
What do their career paths look like?
What’s the typical entry point?
How can I build skills, credibility, or a portfolio?
Sometimes, the dream job isn’t handed to you—it’s built step by step, through pivots, side projects, and smart positioning.
Step Three: Take Joyful Action
Dreaming is great—but nothing changes until you move.
Taking action doesn’t have to mean quitting your job tomorrow or starting from scratch. It might look like:
Starting a creative project outside of work
Taking a course or certification
Volunteering or freelancing to build experience
Reaching out for informational interviews
Updating your resume to reflect who you’re becoming—not just who you’ve been
These small steps build momentum. And momentum creates confidence.
Step Four: Stay Open to the Unexpected
Sometimes your dream job shows up wearing different clothes.
Maybe you thought you wanted to be a therapist, but it turns out you love career coaching. Maybe you dreamed of working in fashion, but you thrive in a branding agency. Maybe you thought you needed to be famous, but you actually just needed creative control and a community.
Stay curious. Stay adaptable. Trust that your dream job might evolve as you do.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to settle for a career that drains you. And you also don’t have to wait for someone to grant you permission to chase your dreams.
Visualize the life you want. Get clear on what lights you up. Take joyful, realistic action. And don’t be afraid to pivot along the way.
Your dream career is out there—but you’ve got to go meet it.
