by Alexis Montgomery

“Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.” ~Unknown

In college, you had your whole life planned out.

You’d earn your degree in psychology, go on to a master’s program, and in no time, you’d be running your own private practice—earning a tidy living while helping others to become healthy, functioning individuals.

Or maybe you thought a degree in filmmaking would springboard you to fame as the next big documentarian, tackling the cause of the little man to overwhelming acclaim.

Whatever your big dreams in college, you’ve no doubt realized that the world presents some limitations when it comes to reaching them.  So how do you deal with life in the real world while continuing to work toward your dreams?

1. Have a plan.

This is easier said than done, but if you want to realize your career goals, you really need to lay out a step-by-step plan of action.

Don’t know how to get into the music biz?  Start by taking an internship and work your way up.  Interested in running your own green technology company?  See what’s already out there and then pick up some literature about finding your niche and forming a business plan.  Talk to a loan officer at your bank to find out the steps necessary to attain a business loan.

There are many paths to reach your goals, but you may have to work to find them.

2. Be flexible.

Even a good plan may not get you where you want to go.  Or once you get there, you might decide it’s not what you wanted after all.  It’s okay.  Apparently, the happiest people change their career path at least five times in their adult life.

Let’s face it, even a fun and fulfilling occupation can get repetitive.  And more likely than not, you have a wide variety of talents and interests that will continue to expand throughout your adult life.  Don’t be afraid to explore them.  You never know which one could become your next option for employment.

3. Listen to the experts.

You don’t know everything and neither does anyone else, but there are certainly people who have more knowledge and experience than you.  Finding the right person to mentor you on your career path can make a big difference in how well you perform and how fast you progress.

It used to be that young people would apprentice to learn their trade.  While that is rarely done today, you can often find people in your chosen profession who have been around for awhile and would be happy to teach you the tricks of the trade. Don’t let a golden opportunity pass you by.

4. Learn to budget.

If you haven’t yet learned to set a budget for yourself, there’s no time like the present! You’ll be far better equipped to pursue your dreams if you aren’t stressed and overwhelmed by bills.  You can talk to a financial planner, but why not start saving now by looking online for some budgeting tips (for free)?

There are all kinds of websites that offer comprehensive budget plans, but the basics include calculating what you earn and comparing it to what you spend.  This seems pretty basic, but there are a lot of people who get their paycheck only to watch every last penny go to bills.  A smart budget will help you save for the future.

5. Don’t fall prey to the money trap.

It’s easy to get stuck in a job that pays the bills.  You get comfortable in your cubicle and suddenly it seems like too much work to go back to school for your master’s degree.  And why struggle to launch your art career when web design affords you a nice apartment and spending cash?

All of us have been there, but it won’t be long before you become supremely dissatisfied with your day job if it isn’t where your heart is.  By all means, earn a stable living, but don’t let your loftier goals fall by the wayside.  Complacency will get you nowhere near achieving your ambitions.

6. Don’t let the man get you down.

There are plenty of people out there who will tell you your goals are worthless or unattainable.  Adults are always finding ways to say no.  So look to your inner child, who knows that anything is possible, for inspiration.

With perseverance and a plan, you can reach your goals—don’t let anyone tell you different.  Block out the negativity and focus on what you can reasonably do to keep yourself on track.  If all else fails, think of how silly those nay-sayers will feel when you accept your Grammy award.

7. Find balance.

Work isn’t everything!  Sure, you have to pay your dues when you’re the new kid on the block, but don’t make it a habit.  All work and no play is a recipe for burnout, so make sure you draw a line when it comes to overtime and extra work.

If you’re lucky, you’re career will involve an activity that allows you to come home at night with a sense of satisfaction. But honestly, that won’t always be the case.

Ultimately, you work to ensure financial stability.  But if you don’t leave yourself any time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, what’s the point?

Becoming an adult is not some magical transformation that happens overnight.  You don’t just wake up one day with a house, a wife, 2.5 kids, and gainful employment.

Part of being responsible for yourself is taking control of your life rather than letting others dictate your path. Don’t be afraid to stick to your guns.  Be proactive, know your options, and find a way to fit in some fun for yourself.  Only you can make your goals materialize—so get started!

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Programs, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs. Photo here.

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