“A great family, lifelong friends, and the perfect job,” Bill replied when asked how he perceived the American dream. “I do believe that it all begins with feeling good about yourself and enjoying what you do every day. For me, that begins with my job.”
Bill is a member of the Professional Golfer’s Association and a country club teaching professional. At age 54 Bill sees his dream differently than he did 30 years ago. “When I was 24 I just wanted a job, any job. I had a new wife and wanted to start a family. Money was my priority.” Today Bill will tell you his priorities and ideas have changed. Money is no longer number one, job satisfaction is. “I still earn a paycheck, but I am happier and healthier doing something I have a passion for.” Bill seems to be following right in step with Richard Florida’s article The New American Dream in which he states “The old American Dream was a job with which to feed your family. The new Dream is a job you love, with which to feed your family.”
Reality check! Can the average citizen attain a dream job or is it something only a privileged few can have? Yes! I believe that hard work and determination are driving forces behind making dreams come true. Janet Robinson, one of Forbes Magazine’s most powerful women in media, began work as a school teacher. Alton Brown of the Food Network was a video director before he created his alternative to boring cooking shows, Good Eats. Bill’s dream took 30 years to come to fruition. He started in an apprenticeship and worked his way through several business schools and golf course positions. All these took time, hard work, determination and patience.
I agree with Thomas Wolfe,”…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity…the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him.”
Today Bill believes he is living the true American dream. He has a strong marriage, a healthy son, several close friends and the “perfect” job. “How great it is when all three come together.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Julie,
Having a dream job would certainly make life easier for most Americans. Being lucky enough to find such a job would help most of us attain our version of the American dream. To some people like your friend, Bill, having that perfect job is part of that definition.
I think in these unsure economic times, just having a job is important in not losing the American dream. Well paid employment, whether or not the perfect job, may now mean more than ever in keeping up with that dream. We may be regressing to the old American dream that you quoted in your blog. A job that feeds your family is more important than having a dream job.
I liked that your friend's reply for the American dream contained three things, and all three things were intangible. Some Americans would answer a home, a certain car, money, etc. Material goods cannot buy happiness or the American dream.
Thanks for your insightful blog.
Post a Comment