There is the joy and exciting season of giving your best in your career and then there is the love-hate relationship when you arrive at a crossroad of either leaving your current employment for higher career progress (yet still in employment) or to start your own business venture built on your passion and fueled by your creativity and hardwork.
Ever been in this position before?
I am now.
It’s not a nice place to be if you have no one to walk this journey with. That’s the first thing to do when you are waiting for your higher calling.
(1) Have someone you trust to bounce off ideas with.
I label this “your higher calling” because anything that happens after the crossroad is after a careful time of deliberation and consideration. Questions like “Is this all I am meant to do – working for other people?” “Am I made for something more?” “I’ve always wanted to put my passion into motion, but can I do it?” “How do I get enough finance to kickstart the passion in business and how I sustain towards success?” and many, many other questions that flood the mind. Bounce these ideas, questions and pursuit with someone you trust. Better still, to have a few people with different expertise and background.
(2) Learn
There is a Chinese saying “Live till you’re old, Learn till you’re old”. As long as you are alive, you are always learning things. If you intentionally spend time to learn about the tricks of the trade, gain more insights into your passion, what niche segment is there in your industry for employment and human interactions behaviors, you fulfill one of the reasons why homosapiens are more superior than animals: the ability to improve and grow to be better. During this time, I’ve learned the process of starting a company in Malaysia and the differences between a private limited company (Sdn Bhd) and an enterprise. I’ve also learned how to make a mean cup of coffee and edible pastries. Oh, did I mention that I’m learning how to ride a motorbike? You never know when and where you will need these skills.
(3) Network
It is most tempting to crawl under your comfort zone and stay within your own friends. Get out there. Meet new people. Get to know their stories. Be friendly and follow up. I cannot emphasize more on the importance of networking. Social media channels like LinkedIN, Facebook and Instagram are good sources to start with but there is nothing like face-to-face contact over online. In the last few weeks, I’ve met couple of restaurant owners, car dealers, insurance agents, fleet car business owners, ride-hailing app entrepreneurs and students, just to name a few. I love to hear their stories, their passion and what makes them alive.
There are a few more things that I suggest to do when you are waiting for your higher calling. Look out for Part 2 soon!
shinybear.speaks 