An all-too-common result of growing up and entering the world of work (or job hunting) is that adults often forget those sparks that once ignited their childhood passion.

How many of us role played as children, pretending to be astronauts, chefs, doctors, veterinarians, or wild safari explorers… simply because we thought it would be fun and of interest? Money wasn’t our primary objective; challenge and adventure were.

One way to find again that inner passion is to surround yourself with those very same individuals who still have that wonderment about the world. Volunteer your time to spend with children or pre-teens. Whether it is a youth baseball team or simply being in the school classroom with your child and her friends, setting aside time to unselfishly do something with kids – particularly those that are not yours – can invigorate your sense of what is truly important to you.

What would I do with that day and money to spend? Take a group of Cub Scouts to Disneyland. Sure, $1000 may not cover the entire cost but where else can you learn valuable lessons about service, attention to detail, and how to run a business while having such a great time doing so? Disney is legendary for its attention to detail (take note of the carefully measured distances between trash bins). In mapping out a career path or job hunt one must also pay attention to details.

Use the Disney experience to ask employees (not in character costumes) what they like about working at Disneyland. Ask them about their background and what they have learned at the company, or what makes it such a “magical” place. These are excellent questions to engage an interviewer and demonstrate that you are concerned with more than simply talking about yourself.

Take with you a pack of Cub Scouts dressed in their uniforms and you will be reminded of the excitement and wonderment that children exhibit. The Cub Scout motto is to “Do Your Best”. That too is a philosophy that works well in a business setting. It must not always be perfection, but “do your best” and often you will find the rewards and recognition that many of us desire.

So… what would you learn from this experience: service to others, business excellence and attention to detail, remaining excited by what’s around you, and not letting go of your dreams.

Not bad for a day…

Husband takes kids to school, while I sleep in. I would rent a limo to drive me and three friends to our nearest big city to shop, shop, and shop and then a nice dinner before going home. Of course, I would buy and we would have a great time. No work, no kids, and no spouses!!!! Just a day of shopping and laughing with the girls.

I recently counted the dollars in my rainy day fund and decided to flee my well-paying job to take back my life!

I took this job a year ago and it gave me the chance to earn more money than I’d ever seen and enter a new field I was desparetly trying to break into for years. I was so excited!

But, turns out the company culture was a total mismatch for me and the skills needed, well, I just wasn’t effective in my new environment to say the least. Then, the boss informed me after 6 months that 50 hours/week were expected and looking around, I knew their top performers we’re putting in hours well beyond that mark.

So, for the past year I was working the hours to get better at a job I didn’t like in a culture where I didn’t fit. Silly, right?

So, for one day and $1,000, half would go back in the rainy day fund (its getting low!). The other half, to treat all my friends and family to an ‘appreciation party’. It would be an ‘I’m Sorry’ to those people who I made myself unavailable to last year either because I was miserable working or thinking about work. Because when the work goes away, and it always does, they are the ones that can and will get me through anything! Thanks and keep the advice coming!!!

I’m a creative person and have used that creativity to make myself a better manager, smarter employee, more useful person during my 30+ years working for others.

I’m a widow of nearly two years who left a job last November because I was being underused and I wanted to think about what the future could really be like (I’m braver than I am smart, sometimes).

While I could certainly use $1,000, I’d really prefer the career strategy sessions.

I want to make the best use of what I can do and how I think and know I could benefit from setting some goals, but I can’t seem to get specific enough. Seeing myself as productive, busy, and happy is all the daydream I want.