When we were younger, we were often told by our parents to study hard to land a good job. With that in mind, we have formulated the idea that good education equates to a good future. While there is nothing wrong with that, it has not always been the case. More than academics, we also have innate abilities to offer: skills, talents and interests.
After graduation, (for others, even before they get the diploma) we become too eager to explore and conquer the corporate world. We focus on a job we are qualified for and look for a company that offers good benefits, remuneration, and a good working environment. We usually do research and ask around which one is better than the other. If we find one, we send out our resume, set a schedule for an interview and land a job (yay!). When we’re already working, we tell ourselves that this is exactly what we need so we should be happy. And then, reality hits. We realized that there is more to it than just getting a job.
Work is important Don’t get me wrong. It is important for our everyday life. It sustains our needs for ourselves and family: the bills, needs, ‘wants’, and a lot more. It certainly supports us with almost anything.
Aside from the money aspect, it is also the fulfillment of completed tasks day by day that we need to deliver. For me, work gives self-satisfaction. The fact that I was able to take part in something important to me and excel in it is gratifying. As optimistic as it sounds, it doesn’t mean that I am not after the monetary side of it. One goes with the other so I say, I am all for it.
But what if, work, as it is, becomes too much of a burden. We often hear and experience the common issues: character differences, low motivation, office politics, harassment, and even travel time are just a few. Not to mention, the quality time we have for the family is compromised. If you are a parent, you realize that your kids are growing. Suddenly, the traditional job we have no longer seems promising. You feel like you want to break away from that norm but are scared of what’s in store for you after.
Fortunately, there were a lot of people who dropped their everyday job, went after what they want and became successful. You will be happy to know that office-to-house life is not something you will be stuck in forever. You have a choice. Start by having a job that you would enjoy doing. Have your passion as your way to make a living no matter if it seems too far-fetched. It is not as easy as it sounds, I get that. There will be a lot of adjustments and planning to do. You just have to reinvent and improve yourself to earn and be more.
Struggles of work Let me just stress that 9–5 job is okay. There is nothing wrong with that. What I am going to share is just for those who have been looking for more options because they simply have to for different reasons. All of us, in one way or another, have experienced struggles at work. May it be struggles working and attending to family needs at the same time. These struggles become a routine.
So, like me or other people we know, you may also have been on a train platform thinking if this is still working for you. You might be walking your way to the office or waiting for a cab while that thought comes to mind. You see, I was looking at the trains and the swarm of people fighting their way in. I often blurted out, ‘oh my, I don’t want to go through this ordeal again” but, I still did it anyway. Every single day. Well, I gave myself another year. Until that one day that I feel that I had enough. With a heavy heart (I loved my job), I quit. Just this morning, I have read of a country where there is a high percentage of people committing suicide due to overwork. I was shocked to learn that some would opt for that — losing their lives — but it is a reality. I guess not many people can survive the stress and depression.
That led me to think, is it the kind of life we want to live? I don’t. That’s why I took the leap. But hey, I know it is not easy. It can get scary as your life depends on it. It is understandably scary. But if you want it, trust yourself enough and do it. Just have faith.
“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keefe
Greater opportunity Have you ever asked why haven’t you started your own business? I know you probably had, a number of times. I had that awakening. I wanted to try, and I just knew I can do it. It was like a scene from a cartoon show where you see that light bulb right at the top of your head. It is like the answer I have been waiting for. Oh, you may get too excited and think of all the good things it can give you. Money, flexibility, pride. But most of all, it’s the Profit. Suddenly, you thought, you have no idea what business you will have. Where should you start?
What Can You Offer? They say some people have lost the things they are passionate about because of money. If that is true, there could have been a lot of dreams that have not materialized. At certain points in our lives, we need to focus on what can bring food on our table. But we should not forget what can make us happy. We can have our dream of running our own business come true.
I convince you to turn your passion into a business. The first thing you have to do is to know your interests. It can be something that you enjoy doing. The thing you want to do if you do not have your current job. Things you are proficient in. If there are tons of these interests, write it down so you can see which ones can you utilize for your business. Before you know it, you will stumble into what you really love to do. Start from there. As you have them enumerated, you can check for possible jobs or activities related to each.
If you love to cook, you can start your own restaurant, a food kiosk, or offer food products online. For services, you can put up a car wash, therapy center or auto shop. You can bank on your skills and work as an online freelancer. The opportunities are endless.
If you are hesitant and still toying with the idea of whether or not having it as a full-time business, opt to start small. Ideally, while you still have a full-time job. In a few months or years, you will get the hang of it and later on, can turn it into something you really want. I say, if you are not the bold type, that is the easiest and safest way to do it.
The idea is to do things that we enjoy. And it will never feel like a job at all. There is flexibility in the job choices, opt for it. Don’t settle.
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