Just picked my 3-year-old up from preschool.

He's already asking for snacks on the walk home. Soon as we get back, he'll want to play.

And I'll be there for all of it.

This moment only exists because I said no to what everyone else calls a "dream job."

I've had offers from companies with impressive names. The kind that would make other designers jealous. Salaries that sound great on paper.

I turned them down.

For a fully remote role that gives me something money can't buy:

The ability to be present.

To walk my son to school every morning. Pick him up every afternoon. Be available when he wants to show me his drawings or needs help with something.

Most designers chase the "prestigious" companies without asking: What does this actually give me?

More meetings? Longer commutes? Less control over my schedule?

The companies with the biggest names often demand the biggest sacrifices.

Here's what I've learned coaching hundreds of designers:

Your dream job isn't about impressing other people.

It's about designing a life that works for you.

Maybe that's remote flexibility like mine. Maybe it's creative freedom. Maybe it's working on products that genuinely help people.

But until you get clear on what YOU actually want - not what you think you should want - you'll keep chasing other people's definitions of success.

In Career Creators, the first thing we do is complete your Career Clarity Scorecard.

Because landing any job is easy. Landing the RIGHT job requires knowing what "right" means for you.

Reply "Clarity" if you want help figuring out what your real dream job looks like.

Joseph

P.S. My son always wants snacks on the way home. Some priorities are worth protecting.