Should You Chase Your Dream Job or Play It Safe? Here's How to Decide

Key Takeaways Most people think playing it safe and staying at a job you hate is the financially savvy option. However, staying put can also have negative financial consequences. There are a number of red flags to look for when deciding if you should leave your job. Instead of quitting to chase your dreams, consider building a side hustle while keeping your day job. If your side hustle is successful, it will eventually reach the point where it can become your main job. If you hate your job, you're not alone. Only about a third of American workers feel engaged at work, according to Gallup polls. There's a number of things to consider when deciding whether to quit your job. Think it through. Take your time.PixeloneStocker / Getty Images Even if you're indifferent about your current work, you might be happier switching jobs. The average American now holds an average of 12 different jobs in their lifetime, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . In some cases, job-hopping might be the best way to get a higher income or a better work environment. Millions of other Americans are facing the same question: Should you quit and chase your dream job, or stay where you are and play it safe? The Cost of Playing It Safe At first glance, playing it safe seems like an easy choice. You keep your income and lifestyle, all for the low price of putting your dreams on hold. However, that's not the only thing you would give up. Staying in an unhappy workplace can lead to low performance, which has long-term consequences for your income. You might be passed over for promotions and pay bumps. You also might miss out on incentive-based compensation and bonuses . Even if your dream job is a long shot, it could provide a higher income if you succeed. For example, the entertainment and media sectors are highly competitive, but they are also extremely well-paid. Recruitment specialist 3Research Group ranks them third and fourth, respectively, for the highest paying industries in 2025. Important Chasing your hobby as a side hustle can allow you to build contacts and experience to eventually turn it into a full-time job. When Your Dream Job Makes Financial Sense But that doesn't mean you should quit your job to chase your dreams. Instead, chasing your dream job can make financial sense when you’re doing it in tandem with steady, paying work. “It takes a long time to figure [out] what you’d like to do [for your dream job] and to acquire the contacts and the experiences or skills necessary to move in a new direction," says Herminia Ibarra, a professor at London Business School who has written extensively on career reinvention for mid-career professionals. "People mostly do it through side projects and only leap when it makes financial sense, otherwise it stays a hobby or a side hustle.” According to Ibarra, those looking to chase their dream job can start setting up a world where...

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