Do you feel like you have more to offer than you’re currently being expected or compensated to do? Do you know in your core that you have a purpose in life, but whatever you’re doing now, just isn’t it?

You’re not alone. I’ve been where you are now.

Five years ago, I found myself working 14-hour days as a Recruiting Assistant. I was good at it, but it didn’t come naturally to me. It was my first “real” job, so I had a serious fear of letting people down, including myself. I threw everything I had into it, determined to succeed (hence the 14-hour days). But the harder I worked, the more unhappy I became. That is when two things became clear. One, I knew wasn’t doing what I loved, and two, I wasn’t playing to my strengths. This awareness left me feeling unfulfilled and overwhelmed.

So, as I struggled to overcome my frustration, I came to recognize four vital steps that completely changed my job and outlook. I was just four steps away from turning my professional life around.

Here are four steps you can take to build your dream job to turn your professional life around today.

1. REFLECT

You know that gnawing in your gut that tells you something is off? Now it’s time to figure out what it is.

Reflect on what it is you're doing each day. What makes you feel energized? What are your talents? How are those talents showing up each day?

Grab a pen and jot down what you want to do and what you're really good at. Those are your gifts, your talents – your superpowers.

2. IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES

Now that you’ve recognized your superpowers, identify when and how you can use them.

Look around you. You'll find others who share your superpowers and have already succeeded because of them. Talk to them. Find out how they got there. Learn how you can get there too.

Look outside your workplace to strengthen and test your superpower in a low-risk environment while keeping your day job.

How can you use your superpower to support volunteer opportunities? If your superpower is project management, maybe you can lead a project committee at your church.

Use this as a test. Could you see yourself doing this full time?

3. START DOING IT

Find something your company or department is missing that you can provide with your superpower.

Maybe you love writing, and there is no central communications person on your team. Offer to take on that role on top of your current responsibilities. Very rarely do people turn down free support!

There is an important key to this step – pick up the extra responsibility WITHOUT slacking on your day job.

This is very important.

You must not let your "extra" passion project prevent you from doing what they pay you for. Yes, you will be extra busy for a bit, but hang in there. You're building for your future!

4. MAKE THE PITCH

Finally, you will have two choices. Make a pitch to take on a new role at your company, or look to take your superpowers elsewhere.

In either case, you’ll need to make a pitch for why you’re the one for the job. Lucky for you, the first three steps have written your pitch for you.

You know what your superpower is. You've tested it. You know how to use it. Now it's time to pitch it.

GETTING THAT DREAM JOB

I took these exact steps and in six months I went form struggling in a role that left me feeling empty to flourishing in a role I loved.

You may have to persevere, you may have to pitch in a few places, but your dream job will come. All you have to do is follow the steps!