Appraising this on a foundational level will for some, bring them smack amidst being middle aged with nostalgia of the dilemma as to what directions they chose to take their lives professionally, for some, a melancholy of how they were whisked into a world of getting by with a reasonable package, and for others an honest-to-God “I had always wanted to do this and I did, I am so fulfilled”. Sadly, the latter is often the exception rather than the case. Most people look back regretfully at having done one thing or the other, or made a decision rather than another. Often times, it’s not the choosing of a career in itself that makes the difference but the reality that necessity is laid upon you to understand and define purpose in every sphere of your life.
To this aim, I choose to work with defining Career as
…“progress or advancement through life”
Or
…“rapidly moving ahead”…
Both definitions demonstrate awareness as to an action that you’re going to have to take every step of the way as opposed to restricting it to one’s profession, which is independent of one’s thought input after making a choice. Thus creating an intrinsic notion that once that choice has been made, the deal is done. This is ambiguous.
I like to think of it as
…“an evolution of thought”
Yes, indeed I appreciate career as
…“an expedition towards a lifelong goal”…
Sure enough, we have a destination with many existent tributaries, how and when we get there however is entirely up to us. In our nation, the ideal always seems to be lacking in options. Expectations exist and you are simply projected to follow through. Go to college and study as you’re told, more often than not without a single thought as to why you’re reading what you’re reading other than the means to a livelihood; it’s not enough to study medicine because your father is a doctor or an engineering course because you think you want a piece of the oil company’s revenue. Honestly, if a niche must be carved, if a road must be paved, one must realize that that’s just not good enough.
True progress cannot be defined nor measured in one’s truly
confused state though one may be successful, a delineation must be made, thought must prevail, ideas must be borne, decisions made; all of which simply make for the voyage, the continuous progressive journey to a purposeful existence.
Let’s consider two 24 year old Nigerians in varied locations, shall we? One in Houston, Texas and the other in Lagos Nigeria: While the Texas bred, given the same opportunity for public higher education from 18 will have a first degree, probably working on a masters with her own apartment and a car along with a savings of sorts; In other words, for her, life will have begun. As opposed to the Lagos bred who will at this time be about frustrated of the school system due to strikes, still be living in her father’s home with no sense of personal responsibility and almost no direction. If we make an honest appraisal of our economic situation, it simply does not give us any fair competitive advantage over our peers in other nations of the world. Do we then conclude we are destined to be despaired, or do we strive to create our own opportunities and re-write the stories from the way they are presented before us, at least from where I’m sitting? I’d take the latter, and I’d like that you do to, because unfair it may seem, the deed is however already done can not be un-done unless it is first rejected by you. Hence, you must decide that you will not accept nor tolerate mediocrity, you will not be merely be placid, and take everything brought your way but that you understand that you have to choose to either receive or reject what’s dished your way.
Taking the bull by the horns, choosing to chart your course, braving the natural winds of normalcy and expectation, going all out against all odds because and only because you recognize that your dreams are bigger than you, and nothing else will make for satisfaction!!!
…This for me defines a truly entrepreneurial spirit…
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