By Peter de Kuster
Introduction: Paris—The City Where Stories and Dreams Collide
There is a certain alchemy in Paris that turns ordinary moments into stories worth telling. The city is a living canvas where the past and future dance in the moonlight, where every street corner whispers of artists, writers, and dreamers who dared to imagine a life beyond the ordinary. Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris captured this enchantment—a place where time folds, and the creative spirits of the past mingle with the restless souls of today.
But Paris is more than a muse for nostalgia. It is a city of beginnings, of reinvention, of courage. It is a place that invites you to step into your own story, to test-drive the dreamjob you’ve longed for but never quite dared to try. Inspired by Peter de Kuster’s Test-Drive Your Dream Job, this three-day walking tour is a journey through the heart of Paris and the heart of your own aspirations. It is a pilgrimage of reflection, experimentation, and commitment.
You will walk the paths Gil wanders in Midnight in Paris, from the serene gardens of the Musée Rodin to the bustling artists’ square of Montmartre, from the timeless shelves of Shakespeare & Company to the majestic gardens of Versailles. At each stop, you will pause, reflect, and engage with questions and exercises designed to awaken your inner dreamer, your pragmatic thinker, and your courageous doer.
This is not a tour of monuments and museums. It is a journey of transformation. It is your test-drive.
Day 1: Awakening the Dreamer—Who Are You Now?
Morning: Musée Rodin Gardens—The Garden of Thought
The day begins in the tranquil gardens of the Musée Rodin, where Auguste Rodin’s sculptures stand as silent witnesses to the power of imagination and contemplation. Here, “The Thinker” sits, poised between action and reflection, embodying the tension every dreamer faces: to remain in thought or to step into the unknown.
As you wander the winding paths, breathe in the scent of blooming roses and ancient stone. Let the quiet inspire you to ask the first and most important question: Who am I now?
This question is the foundation of the first chapter—self-discovery. Before you can test-drive a new career, you must understand the driver behind the wheel. What are your strengths? Your passions? Your values? What stories have shaped you, and which ones are ready to be rewritten?
Reflection Questions:
- Recall moments when you felt most alive and fulfilled. What were you doing?
- What activities make you lose track of time?
- What do others come to you for help or advice about?
- What values do you want your work to express?
Exercise:
Find a quiet bench or spot and write a letter to your current self from your future self—someone who has succeeded in your dream job. What encouragement, advice, or wisdom do they offer? Write as if you are your own mentor.
Storytelling Moment:
Imagine sitting beside Rodin’s “The Thinker.” What thoughts might he share about the courage it takes to dream? Picture the sculpture coming alive, whispering that every great journey begins with a single question.
Midday: Pont Alexandre III—The Bridge to Your Dream
Crossing the Pont Alexandre III at midday feels like stepping into a dream. The ornate lamps, gilded statues, and the Seine’s gentle flow create a portal between worlds—past and present, reality and possibility. This is the bridge where Gil’s magical journey begins, and it is your symbolic gateway to naming your dream.
The second chapter urges clarity: vague longing is not enough. You must articulate your dream job with specificity, moving from “I want something different” to “I want to be a [writer, chef, designer, entrepreneur].”
Reflection Questions:
- If you could try any job for a month without risk, what would it be?
- What did you dream of doing as a child?
- Which professions make you feel inspired or envious, and why?
Exercise:
Write a vivid description of your dream job. Where are you working? Who are your colleagues or clients? What does a perfect day look like? Use sensory details—what do you see, hear, feel?
Storytelling Moment:
Imagine a classic car pulling up at the bridge at midnight. You step inside and are whisked away to your dream job’s world. Describe the scene unfolding before you—the sights, sounds, and emotions.
Afternoon: Shakespeare & Company—Researching the Reality
Step into Shakespeare & Company, the legendary English-language bookstore that has hosted generations of writers and thinkers. Here, the romantic ideal of the dream job meets the practical reality. The third chapter emphasizes research: learning from those who have walked the path before you.
Browse the shelves, feel the worn pages, and imagine the conversations that have filled this space. What does your dream job really entail? What skills, challenges, and surprises await?
Reflection Questions:
- Who do you know—or can you find—who is living your dream job?
- What skills or experiences do they have that you don’t yet?
- What are the common myths or pitfalls about this profession?
Exercise:
List three people you could reach out to for an informational interview. Draft a message or email to one of them, introducing yourself and your interest in learning about their work.
Storytelling Moment:
Picture sitting by the fireplace in the bookstore, sharing stories with Hemingway or Fitzgerald about the realities of pursuing your passion. What questions would you ask? What advice might they give?
Evening: Café de Flore—Reflecting on Day One
End your day at Café de Flore, a historic haunt of intellectuals and artists. Over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, review your reflections from the day. What patterns are emerging? What surprises have you uncovered?
Share your thoughts with a fellow traveler or write a journal entry titled “What I Discovered About My Dream Today.” Let the city’s evening pulse inspire your next steps.
Day 2: Experimenting and Testing—Stepping into the Role
Morning: Place du Tertre, Montmartre—The Artists’ Laboratory
Montmartre’s Place du Tertre is alive with painters, sculptors, and performers—creators who live their dream daily, surrounded by the city’s energy. This is your laboratory, your test-drive zone.
Peter de Kuster’s core message is clear: try before you buy. You don’t have to quit your job or make a giant leap. Start small. Shadow someone, volunteer, take a class, or launch a side project.
Reflection Questions:
- What is one small, low-risk way you could test your dream job in the next month?
- What fears or obstacles are holding you back?
- How will you measure success in this experiment?
Exercise:
Design your test-drive. What will you do? When? Who can help? Write a commitment statement and share it with a fellow traveler.
Storytelling Moment:
Imagine yourself painting, writing, or leading in Montmartre. What does it feel like? What surprises or challenges arise? How does this experience shift your perspective?
Midday: Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Steps—Facing Your Fears
Gil’s journey is not without doubt. On the steps of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, he confronts his insecurities. Here, you’ll name your fears and begin to dismantle them.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your biggest fear about pursuing your dream?
- What is the worst realistic outcome, and how would you recover?
- Who can support you through this journey?
Exercise:
List your top three fears and one concrete action you can take to reduce each. Visualize a conversation with a mentor on these steps. What encouragement do they offer?
Storytelling Moment:
Picture a wise mentor appearing beside you on the steps, sharing stories of failure and resilience. What lessons do they impart?
Afternoon: Café de Flore—Building Your Network
No dream is realized alone. Return to Café de Flore to focus on community and connection.
Reflection Questions:
- Who in your current network can connect you to your dream field?
- How can you offer value in return?
- What groups, events, or online communities could you join?
Exercise:
Identify one networking event or group to join this month. Draft your introduction and practice sharing your dream job story.
Storytelling Moment:
Imagine sitting at a table with your dream job’s “inner circle.” What do you contribute? What do you learn?
Evening: Seine River Walk—Reflect and Recharge
Walk along the Seine as the city lights shimmer on the water. Reflect on your test-drive and network-building. What did you learn? What surprised you? What will you try next?
Day 3: Planning, Adapting, and Committing—Writing Your Next Chapter
Morning: Musée d’Orsay Clock Room—Time to Plan
The grand clock of Musée d’Orsay reminds us that time is both a constraint and a gift. Today is about turning inspiration into action.
Peter de Kuster’s planning chapter helps you map your journey with goals, timelines, and milestones.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your first small step? Your 90-day goal?
- What resources do you need?
- How will you celebrate progress and learn from setbacks?
Exercise:
Write a 90-day action plan with specific dates and commitments. Visualize looking through the clock at your future self—what do you see?
Midday: Gardens of Versailles—Embracing Change and Growth
The sprawling gardens of Versailles symbolize the journey ahead—full of twists, turns, and new possibilities.
Reflection Questions:
- What surprised you during your test-drive?
- What did you love, and what didn’t fit?
- How will you adapt your dream or try something new?
Exercise:
Write a reflection on what you’ve learned and outline your next experiment.
Storytelling Moment:
Imagine wandering the gardens, contemplating your evolving story. What new dreams emerge?
Afternoon: Montmartre at Sunset—Celebration and Sharing
As the sun sets over Paris, gather with your fellow travelers on the steps of Montmartre. Share your stories, your fears overcome, and your dreams awakened.
Reflection Questions:
- What are you most proud of from this journey?
- Who do you want to share your story with?
- What advice would you give someone just starting their own test-drive?
Exercise:
Write a letter or speech to your future self, celebrating your courage and growth.
Evening: Paris by Night—Continuing the Adventure
Your journey doesn’t end here. Paris by night is a reminder that every ending is a new beginning.
Reflection Questions:
- What is your next dream to test-drive?
- How will you keep your curiosity alive?
- Who will you invite to join you?
Exercise:
List three new dream jobs or projects you’d like to test-drive in the coming year.
Closing: Your Parisian Test-Drive Story
You came seeking inspiration and leave with a story, a plan, and a first step. The magic of Midnight in Paris is not just in the city, but in your willingness to test, learn, and grow. Your dream job is not a destination—it’s a journey you can begin now.
Bon voyage—and bonne chance!
This immersive three-day walking tour uses Paris’s most evocative locations and Peter de Kuster’s proven framework to guide leaders and dreamers through the process of discovering, testing, and committing to their dream careers. Through storytelling, reflection, and action, you will step boldly into your next chapter.
The three-day “Test-Drive Your Dreamjob” leadership walking tour in Paris is priced at €2,850 excluding VAT per person. This includes all guided walking sessions, reflective exercises, creative prompts, and small group interactions at iconic locations inspired by Midnight in Paris.
For bookings and more information, please contact Peter de Kuster directly at:
peterdekuster@hotmail.nl
The Hero's Journey in Paris 