A lot of career and success writers, coaches, and self-appointed gurus will tell you to follow your passion when going after what you want.

You know the scenario: Follow your passion and the money will follow.

Well, there are lots of folks who’ve followed their passions all the way to the poor house.

So, what’s the regular Dream Job Seeker to do?

Scott Allen’s got a really good bit of advice about this over at About.com.

Good stuff; check ‘er out.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Having something go viral is the dream of every entrepreneur.   Going viral, as related to working on the Internet, relates to having a product, promotion, or some other activity be perceived as something so incredibly special that it gets passed around, usually via email, from one person to another to tens of thousands or millions of people.

So, literally, word spreads — like a virus — about you and your product, usually without you having to do anything.  This is the marketer’s nirvana.  The dream world.

And, I’m pleased to say, I’ve had a recent experience with something going viral.  But, the interesting thing about what I learned is that you cannot plan for something to go viral — it just does.  Oh, I’ve tried to come up with all sorts of clever ideas that I thought would go viral — My goodness, I say to myself, how can others not realize how brilliant I am here? — but none never have.

Until recently, when the whole idea of viralness (yup, that’s a word) never even entered my thoughts.

At InfoSource Learning, we created a product called SimpleAssessment that is designed to test the digital literacy skills of school kids.  Now, this is an important thing these days because the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) statutes from the federal government mandate that kids have these skills by the 8th grade.  Consequently, schools need a way to assess their students.

Enter SimpleAssessment.

We decided to give it away (as a way to introducing ourselves to new customers, who we hoped would buy something else from us later) and our lives have changed dramatically.  We simply can’t keep up with the demand that has been created for SimpleAssessment, and the freebies are now turning into paying customers.

My point is that we didn’t set out to get people passing our offering around; we were simply immersed in trying to create something that we thought we could share with the educational community.  We’ve been creating and selling educational products for over 25 years, and this was one small thing we could do to give back.

And, the dang thing has gone viral on us.

Which got me thinking about what it might take to get your own personal dream job to go viral.

Let me ask you this:  Are you obsessed with finding and having your dream job?  Because, like getting something to go viral, maybe focusing on it too much is not such a good thing.

Here’s an idea for you, then:  Whatever your dream job passion, just start working on it, even if it’s a few hours a week.  Just plug away at it.  Don’t obsess over the fact that it’s not your entire life just yet.  Work at it, sow some seeds, do a little more every day.  Maybe, just maybe, who knows, you might turn around in a few months and find that your work has gone viral and you’re actually working full time in your dream job.

Popularity: 6% [?]

A:  ________________________.  (Hint:  Whatever goes in that space might possibly form the basis of your dream job, so look carefully.)

Popularity: 7% [?]

A:  Think about what consumes your interests and passions and base it around that.

Hint:  If you are unable to come up with this answer after just a few minutes of reflection, you’re thinking too hard.

Popularity: 9% [?]

If you have any local school contacts — from teacher to superintendent — will you help me pass the word?

All public schools and school districts in the United States have to assess the technology skills of all of their students by the 8th grade — new federal mandate.

My company, InfoSource Learning, is providing a free, no-strings attached way to do that.  It’s for unlimited students and unlimited schools and there’s not a dime’s cost to the school or district.

We do all of the hosting, provide free student tracking and reporting . . . the whole shebang!

No catch.  No cost.

Check this out and let others know, please:  SimpleAssessment.com.

We’re doing it for one reason — we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary and we’re giving back to the educational arena, as they’ve been a big part of our growth.

Pass the assessments around anyone?

Popularity: 13% [?]

Having trouble uncovering your dream job passion?

My buddy, Stephen Hopson, over at Adversity University did something clever recently.

Stephen regularly runs interviews with interesting people who he knows or would like to know.   Last week, though, he didn’t have an interview subject, so he decided to interview himself.  And, in typical Hopson style, he added a little flair.  Normally in his interviews, he asks a question of his subject, then he’ll add his own final comment to the subject’s answer.

And, here’s the twist:  When he interviewed himself, he answered his questions; but then, he also commented on his own answers.

So, it was Hopson interviewing Hopson and Hopson responding to Hopson’s questions and comments.  Sounds a little confusing, but it really isn’t when you look at it.

In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized this would be an incredible technique to help you uncover just what it is you want in life.

In fact, your first question to yourself should be:  Self, just what is it you want your dream job to do for you?  Then, answer that question.  After that, reflect and respond to the “you” who just answered it.

Then let your questions take whatever direction feels right to you, as the interviewer.

I’m intrigued with what you might uncover about yourself.

Check out Hopson’s interview with himself, and then do your own.

Good stuff; check ‘er out.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Most people hesitate to make the first move.They hesitate to introduce themselves to strangers at a party.

They hesitate to take the first step in reconciling with an old friend. 

They hesitate to ask for that raise they know they deserve.

And as a result, they lose out on so much.

So much can be gained, just from making that first move. 

Don’t let it all slip away from you.

Source:  Brian Kim

Popularity: 20% [?]

Work at home or want to?

Of course, just about like everyone else, I’ve got my own set of resource bookmarks, yellow stickies, notes on my bulletin board, listings on my notepad, underlines in article and books . . . on and on.

So, what an incredible pleasure it was to run across an incredible and tested resource listing that’ll let me do away with all of the above, because the Ittybiz site has gathered the best of the best for us work-at-home types right here in one editorialized list at 45 Business Resources:  Things and People that Help You Make Money in Your Underwear.

Really good stuff; check ‘er out . . . a Top 5er.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Reader Janet is looking for some help on finding her career passion.  She’s 30 years old and has had several different career paths, yet hasn’t been able to find anything she truly loves.

Here’s a recent note from Janet:

Let’s see… I have a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and am currently working on a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management to further my career as a CPA.
 
When I first graduated from college I took an internship as a media buyer in an advertising firm.  I then moved on to a marketing position and I enjoyed it but I was laid off so I didn’t pursue marketing after that.  I then went on to an office management and payroll position.  My next move was that of a purchasing agent and then on to another advertising agency as the Creative Director’s Assistant.   Because of the advertising world instability I left for a more secure position as a tax accountant at a small CPA firm, which is my current position.
 
I learn fast which is why I’ve been able to move around to drastic and opposing positions.  My problem is that when I get the hang of something and understand it I begin to get bored.
 
I honestly don’t know what my life’s work is.  I have currently taken on photography as a hobby and I like helping the elderly that live around me.

Anyone want to take a shot at giving her some advice?

Popularity: 28% [?]

If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you use the Internet in new and powerful ways. And, I’m also guessing that, because you’re at least fairly Web savvy, whatever your dream job is or turns out to be, it’ll likely include some form of technology, even if it’s in a supporting role.

And, if you don’t have your own blog . . . well, hmm, you should.

Here’s a great resource I recently came across for teachers, but virtually of them apply to anyone who’s blogging, or wants to.

It’s from Teaching Tips and it’s a great resource.

Check ‘er out.

Popularity: 36% [?]