Lessons they don't teach you in school
Before you run the race to success, you must first run through the hurdles. After I finished studying culinary arts I found myself asking, “Now what”? At that time, I already had four years of in-depth corporate working experience with the top hospitals in Saudi Arabia, so as a fresh grad from another course, I suppose I was a little ahead over other new graduates based on my work experience, but I began to feel restless and I gave myself a deadline what I should be doing by the age of 30. I have a passion to pursue. Like in my previous jobs, I hadn’t expected them to come right away, but neither did I think I’d still be doing the same thing years later. For some time I didn’t know what to do next and my goals were pushed back further.
That’s the problem about wanting too many things at the same time. Unlike in the books or movies like Eat, Pray, Love where Elizabeth Gilbert took the time off to travel and seek her purpose in life, others—or most people—tend to stay where they’re at while realizing that their dreams won’t come true in a snap or even after two or three years. Yet, I wasn’t ungrateful for what I had. My previous mentors (a.k.a. tough bosses and co-workers) are the best in their field and I was thankful that I received professional training under them, but I have big dreams for myself and my family. I wanted to take charge of my own path.
I’m pretty sure a lot of people have their own moments of anxiety or quarter-life crisis, whether it comes before you’re about to work on your dream or while you’re already at it. It’s that feeling that we’re somehow stuck in a rut and not fulfilling the goals we have set to achieve. Once in a while I still find myself feeling this way, afraid that I might stagnate and run out of time to finish what I’ve started, but I have come to accept that there’s no perfect life and there’s no deadline to success.
Here are a few things that I’ve found helpful
1. Dream it, want it, chase it, and it will be yours
Back in the day, I thought I will have a career on stage. I was very active in our school programs, always present during singing or dance gigs. Although academics were my top priority, a part of me thought I belong under the spotlight. Then I came to a conclusion that the route to being a performer was not for me when I couldn’t find time to hone my talents, and my parents strongly declined against it. I did not dwell on self-pity though nor did I see it as a lost cause. I just acknowledged my limitations and drew my efforts to something I knew I would do well too, instead of insisting that I do something I may not be able to give a hundred percent at. I realized that not everything we want is meant for us, and we can’t be good at everything we want to do.
2. The best things come from unexpected moments
After winning at Illustrado Magazine’s Women of Substance Photo Competition in 2010, I said to myself it was just out of sheer luck. I had limited knowledge in photography, anyway. I’d only learned what was necessary to come up with a decent and realistic shot, but life is indeed strange. When the respectable magazine’s Editor-in-Chief invited me to be part of their bloggers column, I thought, “Why not?”
Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m writing for an international publication, in any capacity. Although I did love writing since grade school and had a background on some editorials in high school, I did not pursue a formal course on journalism or creative writing. But I smile at the irony, and humbled about the opportunity no one have thought I would do. I’ve come to embrace my passion for the craft and the people I’m working with. I’m thankful that I didn’t let any apprehensions stop me from trying, despite knowing that I lack formal knowledge of it.
3. Compete to succeed
Have you ever thought if you’re viewed as the best in your profession? I’m guilty of this, because I sometimes wonder if others appreciate my effort. Yet, it didn’t really matter because I enjoy working and giving my best in every endeavor I choose to undertake. In the beginning, working with some of the successful people in the industry was intimidating and I felt unworthy being there. Every day I’d feel intimidated as I watch them achieve success further after another, while I felt like I was still where I began. It took some of their wisdom and my other mentors’ advice that these successful people should be my models for success, and I should not compete with them. While it’s alright to be ambitious, we should also remember that the measure of our own success lies within us.
4. You can’t learn the best lessons in life when it’s easy
There was a time a couple of years ago when I was struggling about a part of my life, and others kept saying how lucky I was to have everything I want and I would force a smile and think, “Yeah, right”. Sometimes you may think that if someone seems to have everything perfect going on, they have lesser trials; but sometimes they’re given more hardships to deal with that we’re unaware of. While it’s true that others are luckier than most, generally those who want anything more than what they have must work hard for it. I am grateful that I have met a lot of people from different walks of life, some are wealthy, some are famous, and there are some who possesses both. However, what I’ve noticed that almost all of them have worked their sweat, blood, and tears day and night to get to where they are right now. They use all the blessings they have from inheritance, talents, ingenuity, charm, and other strengths to revolutionize their lives. There’s no point in wishing to be part of the Fortune Global 500 when you’re not actually working seven days a week to fit the image you have in mind. If we want what the most successful among us have, we better be ready to push ourselves beyond our limit.
Today I may not have achieved every goal I’ve set to reach, but I’m proud of what I’ve done so far. I’m no longer afraid to move out of my comfort zone, as success calls for equal parts of commitment and lots of patience. We must never lose faith in ourselves and especially with God.
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