Your dreams are only awake if you are...

– "Your dreams are only awake if you are... never give up!"

I was on my way to see my folks over the weekend, and overheard a fellow passenger's conversation regarding how unhappy they were with their workplace and why they felt the need to be on vacation. Coincidentally, I had been reading about severe weather conditions not too long ago, and how it impacted my friends on the opposite coast and around the world. Most of them were extremely psyched to stay home or take the day off from work. I am a big advocate for personal days. Back in the days we (my coworkers and I) would joke about how people needed to take "mental health days" or "personal healing days" (LOL!). Well, because you tend to burn out if you do not take breaks from anything. Too much of anything is - toxic!

Anyway, back to my (not-so considerate, loud) fellow passenger's phone conversation (yes! I was eavesdropping!! Well, when you have someone in a fairly empty train, sitting right across and speaking out loud, you can't help but listen). And suddenly, I was reminded of how happy I used to be when I walked through 6-plus inches of snow few years ago to get to work, and never felt the need to complain. It never felt like an ordeal or a hassle to me to take alternate routes to get to my workplace. At the time, I used to change 4 trains to get to the East side for my first job. And yet, it never felt like it was too much. No matter how dire the situation, my workplace felt like a safe haven. A fun place to be. A place that rekindled my passion.

Don't get me wrong. It wasn't always this way, and I've also been on the other side of this happy island, and have realized how important it is to keep your dreams alive and work at a place that offers you a platform to thrive. Whether it is your own company, or you work for someone else, one of the key things is to enjoy whatever you do. Not just that, but the people who you work with also matter. A happy environment initiates great ideas, positive thinking and overall healthy competition. 

I teach at the University here in San Francisco, and I often get invited to portfolio reviews for prospective students. My only piece of advise to both parents and aspiring students is "you have to channel your passion". Whether it is fine art, acting, crunching numbers or being a home maker to raise a family (yes that's a full time job if many of you wouldn't agree), you have to love your day-to-day. How will you make anyone around you happy, if you are sulking within? Life is too short to pursue and relive other people's dreams. Because 2 decades from now you do not want to look back and regret. 

Confucius said "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life". 

And this is exactly why I insist on being wise about choosing a great workplace, a work culture that offers happy medium for creativity, and passion, a platform for you to thrive! Love what you do...and you will see what that feels like! Follow your dreams, and you will feel alive!
Never give up...