Page 14 - IFV_Issue 6_2022

Lifestyle

FIVE SIMPLE PRINCIPLES TO

ENHANCE YOUR CAREER

BY MICHELLE L RAYMOND

ne day, a young graduate asked NOTHING IN LIFE IS CERTAIN THERE WILL ALWAYS BE
her mentor, “What should I do Whether you decide to paddle OPPORTUNITIES
Owith my life? There are so many upstream or steer yourself downstream, Whichever route you take, you will face
choices. How do I pick the right one?” there is no way of knowing what you crossroads and forks in the road. They
Her mentor smiled at her and said, might encounter. will require you to make decisions about
“Imagine your life and career as a river. It is easy to confuse preparedness for what you want and need. And depending
You can get into your canoe and paddle certainty. You may have the best survival on your outlook, they will either be
upstream towards your dreams and training and the most hi-tech equipment. opportunities or they will be challenges.
goals, towards whatever you deem to Heck, you may even be Bear Grylls himself! Either way, be open to them, invite
be your idea of success and happiness. But even he cannot know for sure what life them, consider them and then choose.
If you reach this place, this destination will throw at him. Maybe some will work out, whereas others
you have set your mind on, you may feel In the same way, you can have a sought- won’t. Some you will see, others you will
exhausted.” after qualification, certificates, letters of pass by without noticing them. Some, you
“Or,” he continued, “you could go recommendation, a scholarship or years of will embrace, some you will let go.
downstream, with the flow, and steer experience that serve as a platform from Whichever way you navigate your life or
yourself when you need to.” which to launch or relaunch your career. career, do it with integrity and compassion.
If you are evaluating or re-evaluating Even with all of that, there is no guarantee
your life and career choices, consider these of success or certainty, even if you have LESS EGO, MORE CURIOSITY
five simple principles: well-intentioned goals. There will be times when you will feel
1. Nothing in life is certain. Five-year plans are great, but think on top of the world, where the hard work
2. There will always be opportunities. about your life five years ago. Would you starts paying off, and you feel invincible.
3. Less ego, more curiosity. have imagined your life as it is now? But it is during these times – when you
4. Honour those who helped you along There is no way of knowing what the are caught up in the excitement – that
the way. future will bring. Certainty is an illusion. the ego needs to be reined in. If it isn’t,
5. Enjoy the ride. It is born out of a need to control (the arrogance, selfishness and pride sneak in;
situation, others, etc.) and is a guise for shortly followed by greed, obsession and
insecurity. validation. Then it becomes easy to value

12 • Issue 6 2022 • The Villager