Back in elementary school, you must have been asked to go up front in class and tell your classmates what your dream job was. And chances are, your answer would have fallen under the usual occupations—doctor, lawyer, teacher, fireman, etc. Practically everyone claims that these are the jobs they want to have when they grow up. And if they do grow up and take on these jobs successfully, then good for them! If you are one of these people, good for you!

But what if you aren’t? Does that mean that something is wrong with you? Does that mean that you missed the opportunity of lifetime?

Of course not! Your idea of a dream job may very well have changed as the years rolled by. You may have wanted to be a lawyer in a courthouse or a doctor in a hospital when you were a kid, but that doesn’t mean that this is what you will always want for the rest of your life! People change. People get to know themselves far, far better as they grow older, and they will come to realize that they have certain desires that are purely unique to them. One of these desires may include what job they want to hold.

Believe it or not, but your dream job can be as unusual and out of this world as you wish! Why should the ability to follow your dreams be stifled by conventions in the first place? They are your dreams and they can be absolutely anything you want. Nobody, after all, is in control of your brain! So if you’re the type of person who balks at the thought of being a doctor or lawyer, and would much rather be a sculptor, a travel writer, a chef, a dancer, or whatever it is you fancy, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, and you have every right to pursue it as much as you want!

If somebody, such as your mother or father or your closest friend, tells you that your dream job is not practical and that you should change it, don’t listen to them. Be appreciative that they are expressing concern for your wellbeing, but also let them know that you are in charge of your own life and you have the right to pursue what you want to pursue. Just be prepared, of course, to face the consequences that your job entails. It is rare to make a lot of money by just writing stories and painting pictures. It is very dangerous to climb mountains day in and day out. So if you’re the type who’s concerned about finances or your health, then think carefully about whether your dream job is really up your alley.

It’s already the 21st century! Gone are the days when people had to go down a straight path that their parents have already laid out for them. Gone are the days when people other than doctors and lawyers were looked down upon. These days, the more you pursue your unique passions, the more admired you will be by other people. Today is a time of true possibility, and you should follow your dreams without a second thought!