What is the most important lesson that I can say to young people who are deciding to choose their career path?
Know yourself as young as possible
Who are you? The real you. The real you that is not defined by expectation of society.
Self discovery is very important to establish a strong and clear direction in life.
You may think that you already know yourself because you know your interests, hobbies, wants, dreams or aspirations. But most people do not really know themselves. There are two dimensions of self- the flesh and the soul. The flesh craves for approval, acceptance, appreciation and ego -boost. While, the soul wants space, peace, contentment and deep satisfaction. The flesh will do anything to gain the approval of the world, thinking that it can satisfy. But, it's a dead-end choice. Approval is like a drug. It can make you soar in bliss for a second then wallow in confusion afterwards.
Know that the desire of the ego is different from the desire of the soul. The "why" may be genuine or false. Why did you choose your college course?
- It's in-demand. I can earn a lot of money
- I want to work overseas
- It's my cousin's profession and he is now earning a lot
- I want to earn a lot
- I want to be popular with my friends
- I want to look respectable and smart
- I want to prove myself
- I want to prove to them that I can
- I want to earn a lot of money
- I want people to look up to me
- I want to please other people
- It's a prestigious career etc.
Any "why" that pertains to money, pride, fame, acceptance and approval is a false desire. It only serves to cover up a deep seated insecurity. It may look like a well-meaning dream at first, but there is no true joy in the process and even, at the peak.
Most people will do anything to get rich. That's why they choose a career that they think will make them rich because others are getting rich from doing that. But, not matter how in -demand your profession is, if it is not your soul's true desire, it means it is not your gift. You are not designed to do that. Therefore, you might succeed through a strenous will power and hardwork but it's not long lasting, genuine and satisfying. But in most cases, it's hard to succeed in that setting.
But what if you follow your soul's desire? Do you think it won't get you rich? According to the studies conducted by Forbes Magazine, all self-made millionaires and billionaires do the job that they love. Not a single one of them is in a certain field because it's a hot job or it's in-demand. It's an irony that we face today, that we think that success is based on the kind of profession and not on the person's gift.
So how will you know your soul's true desire? What can truly make your heart jumps for joy? Your flesh will reason out, if you have the money and you know where to go shopping, that's heaven! Eveything else doesn't matter. But if you can tell me what profession can give me more money, that's the one that will make my heart pump real, bloody joy. It's normal to feel such way because you will never know the distinction of false happiness to the genuine one if you have not experienced both. You have no blueprint for comparison. If shopping makes you happy, how much more happines can you experience if you found your soul's nature?
Okay. Ask yourself these questions:
1. What would you like to do during your free time? (that is not intended to improve you physically, emotionally, mentally etc.)
Careful not to think that "I love to go shopping because buying stuff will make me look up to date and beautiful" or "I love to read books because it makes me more interesting and intelligent." Shut-off the noise of the ego and listen more to your soul.
2. What job are you willing to do even if you're not paid? (that is not intended to show-off that you are helping others publicly.)
No to hypocrisy. It makes you look good to do something for free. It's like doing a charity. It's good for your reputation. But again, shut-off the ego. You don't need to please people.
3. Is there any activity that when you are doing, you tend to forget time, environment, physical sensations like hunger or colds, worries and even your physical body?
This is a very clear sign. When you tend to overlook your physical self and environment, it means that you are deeply connected to your soul. You are lost in time and space, and nothing really matters but the present moment. Have ever been in love? I mean, infatuated because love's definition tends to be more of a rational decision rather than a soul-driven one. Yes, exactly! That's the feeling of infatuation that clearly signals you that it is the right career for you.
4. Is there any activity that is pulling you as if you are so hungry to do that?
Don't confuse it with actions to avoid anxiety. Like when you need to go back to university to pursue more education because it can make your credentials look good. Stop pleasing other people and start pleasing yourself. I would just like to reiterate that your "why" is the determinant and not the action itself. Meaning, if your going back to school because you are designed as a wisdom lover, and learning makes your soul sing, that's absolutely great.
5. Is there any skill that people told you that you are so good at even though it's your first time to do it?
That's called a gift. Your gift is an effortless talent. It flows naturally through you and it feels like play and not work. Tune in to the flow and find out your soul's nature.
Do you know that when you respond to your soul's desire, you are responding to your Creator? Because you are acknowledging and using His true design for you.
Every person has a gift. Everyone can be extremely good at something. You have to find out what is your true gift, harness it, develop it and use it to serve your life's purpose.
Don't chase money for you will be chasing forever. Chase your passion by using your gift, the money will chase you later.
Money serves the experts.
