Recently I read a book by Jon Acuff called Quitter. I’ve never read much from Acuff, but was drawn to the book.

The books main focus is on doing your dream job while working your day job. In the beginning of the book Acuff says, “I hated that my dreams had to go into hibernation every Monday,” speaking of his day job not being his dream job.

He discussed through most of the book that your day job can be a great advancer of your dream job. He gives some advice for discovering your dream, gives some great tips for living your dream, debunks some myths that we believe keep us from our dream and helps you discern when the right time is to step into your dream job full time.

Now, you might be saying, “Jason, why did you read this? Aren’t you living your dream job?” Well… yes and no. I am living my dream job. I’ve wanted to be a music pastor for almost 15 years, and I’ve been doing it for more than 5 of those years. Never-the-less, I don’t think it’s what I always want to do. I do believe I will pastor a church one day. So, in many respects I’m applying these principles to that dream. In other ways, I’m not the music pastor I dream of being yet… in part because the dream is expanding.

Let me share some of the great quotes from the book…

“We buy into the lie that work is usually miserable.”

“Despite the idea that quitting your job is the new American dream, it’s usually the worst thing you can do right now.”

“Dreams tend to challenge the status-quo.”

“People get comfortable and often see dreamers as a threat.”

“Other people will try to smooth out the edges for you.”

“Discipline and focus are contagious and they tend to spread their benefits all around.”

“Escaping imperfect circumstances is not a purpose.”

“If your goal is to change the world, you have to step our and share your work.”

“Perfectionism seems like a character trait sometimes, and not a flaw. People don’t normally see it as the poison is is until someone burns out or has a breakdown.”

“Quit perfect. It’s an unnecessary obstacle. Chase the idea of your dream being better finished at 90 percent than perfect and not pursued.”

“Start small. Start slow. Get better.”

“One of the costs of notoriety is safety.”

“That’s one of the simple rules of hustle. Do more of the things you love and less of the things you like.”

“Quantity leads to quality. The more you practice your dream, the better you get at your dream.”

“Measure the things you can control before the things you can’t.”

“That’s why it’s called a dream job, and not a perfect job.”

“Start where you are. Start with what you have. Start today.”

Those are just a fraction of the highlights I made in the book. I really enjoyed it. Let me share one more thought before I leave you…

One of the principles he talked about was making your dream happen without quitting your job AND without sacrificing your family time. He spoke on taking time from yourself and not from your work and family or other obligations. So let me ask, how much time do we waste on facebook, youtube, TV…? How much time could you take from your sleep? Could you wake up a few hours earlier? Where will you inject time to start fulfilling your dream?

Blessings! Be Encouraged.