A Career Passion

How far is this statement true?

A short video I found rather interesting.

http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_smith_why_you_will_fail_to_have_a_great_career.html?source=facebook#.T119XsbCUzc.facebook

Sorry for the link, can’t seem to post the video on blogspot directly

Anyway, of what he said I would agree on many of its point and disagree on a few. It is true that “interest” is not anywhere nearly comparable to “passion But can one not have more than a single passion? 

But I can’t agree more that the era of “good careers” are over. You are either an underpaid slave or you are in a great career. Though, I would wager much that the majority of the society is stuck in the former. With many personal experiences lately, being highly competent is really an insult to yourself nowadays. Being competent only (which I guess I am) do not even entitle you a chance to be the slave of free market. You have to be willing to work hard and harder for it, and you will be given that much – work that is. 

Being someone who also desires greatly to pursue one’s passion, I fully understand what Larry meant when the majority who does dare to take action are merely hiding behind their limitless excuses. However, in today’s cruel and realistic world, I would say that it is a luxury to have the opportunity to pursue one’s passion. First, not all passion is one that earns you living in this world. You have a passion in art, a talent for it but not the appreciation from the society, can you really survive in this world by that itself? What if you passion is into physics just as Larry mentioned, a material for a noble laureate, but then you family do not have the resources to send you to the right courses or you do not get funding to do the research you are passionate about? Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to bring the issue to its extreme but the fact is that we live in a society that does not treasure this passion.  

Why you may ask? The answer is simple. The society is made up of individuals, those that are stuck in their rut of not able to pursue their passion because of petty reasons and excuses. Therefore, it is logical for them to not appreciate or even look down upon those who come and pursue their true passion. This is the society we live in. Ignore then? If you have the wealth and freedom to ignore the world and pursue what you truly want, that is a luxury. Many of us do not have that luxury.

So if you do, shame on you for not pursuing you passion! 

The Verdict

“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

Some said that what or who we are now are but the aggregation of our past choices up till now. But when face with decisions; we are psychologically inclined to choose a path that promises better future rather that a path we truly want. You may say that a better future IS what we want but can you really believe it is true? What if some or many of those choices are wrong to begin with?

In this life of mine, I had always chosen a harder path. Not the most difficult, but never the easiest. But just like anyone else, I never doubt my journey until I’ve reached a dead end, and started wondering which turning got me here. It is even more difficult to understand the motivation behind each turn I’ve made. Whether it is an influenced, misinformed, selfish or truly my decision, I couldn’t have told.

Back in high school, I’ve always known I wanted a career into finance or business industry and yet I end up in the science stream. Back in University, I’ve scored well in accounting subjects and known it will promise me easy study life, job and migration but yet I enrolled into economics and finance. In my further studies, I knew very well that actuarial is a difficult and highly technical subject that may not promise such good rewards yet I’ve enrolled again. And here I am with major decisions one after another, ending up well away from where I’ve expected or planned. Is this who I am then?

I am not regretting any of my past choices but I do question it’s motivation and outcome. The reason being me, facing another major decision now and I would definitely not want to end up in the same spot again. Now, having the ability to choose, knowing what I want to choose but yet knowing also it is a foolish choice. Being rational and logical as I always was, I knew I have to choose to leave, because that is the choice that will benefit me and people around me the most, although, it is not a choice I really want to make. Again, is this choice a reflection of who I am? Does it show that I am weak and undetermined, giving up so easily.

Time is running out. The coin tossed in the air will inevitably fall as the forces of gravity pulls it’s invisible strings. And then, the verdict begins.

=p