I was reading a fashion magazine and came across a page where they invite you to think about your career. Does your work make you happy, or do you roll over and go back to sleep the minute you wake up, dreading another day at the office? Do you feel stuck dead on your job? So it said. It is a personal page where you pause and post what is on your mind. This idea struck the writer in me once again, and looking back where I started incognito seeking for recognition and my own identity, as I sat in front of the computer and pounded the keys unleashing my mind back to what some people call a career, while others call a job.
My Dream Job
I graduated with a degree in Mass Communications. I believed then that I am an eloquent speaker so at first I wanted to be a broadcaster. I relished the idea of being watched on television and being famous and going out on coverage. Second, I love being with a lot of people; discovering and visiting a lot of interesting places. So I wanted to be a Tourist Guide. But all these were like shooting after the moon but I landed on the stars as well.
Career Reflections
For 17 years I am a Public Servant. I was surrounded by paper works, round-the -clock mills, mandates, orders, deadlines and meetings. There were times when I dreaded going to the office in the morning especially when faced with a long day meeting. I started from a mere clerk and rose from the ranks until I called it quits with the bureaucracy as an Executive Assistant. With my stint in the government I know I have served well and I owe my mentors much of what I have learned and what I am now.
I didn't really consciously choose to work in the government but it was where I was recognized, gained financial stability and a lot of friends. It helped me realized that when working hard, you take on a kind of different spirit to be of service to others the best way you can and learned the following ethical standards of what it takes to be a public servant.
Simple Living
The state of just simply being happy. Feeling happy with the way I am now. Enjoying life however way it comes, and appreciating whatever it is life has to offer. I feel that in whatever I do, whatever decisions that I make, I am the only person responsible for it. That is, if I have done something out of the ordinary, or the normal way, I only have myself to be blamed for whatever consequences it may have. I have to accept no matter how painful the results maybe. Old habits cannot be changed easily. If I live in extravagance now, I have worked hard to support my means. Life is so full of surprises. Whatever choice we decide to take, nobody forced it on us but it is how we choose our life to live. I realized that my self-worth comes from within myself. My achievements are the products of what I have done and how I did it. Wealth is not the yardstick of a truly successful person. But I know that happiness is. How much you are well loved by your folks and friends and how much you enjoyed serving people without expecting any material reward or simply anything in return, are the happiness that you will truly feel more than any of the material things that can be bought. I never idealize others. Especially those who find the joys in living in wealth and extravagance.
Professionalism
How can you become more professional? How can you improve the work you do?....
To be professional is to be open to challenges. In the line of duty, it is not how small or how big your role is, because each one of us contributes greatly towards a fulfillment of a goal, mission or project. We should be competent individuals combined with action. We should have a life of total dedication towards our work and willingness to respond to every challenge that comes our way. We should not brood over a low salary and unclaimed benefits, nor complain or always dissatisfied, instead continue working and proving that we are worth the while. We should not be disappointed in every unexpected surprise that sprang at us rather work effortlessly and amiably. More importantly, we should try not to get angry with anyone overly demanding or irritating at some point for whatever reasons because just think that we are here to serve and it is our obligation to do so.
Justness and Sincerity
A life of total dedication to the truth is a life of total honesty. Honesty does not come painlessly. People tell lies to avoid the pain and its consequences. It is often said that the truth hurts. Basically, to be able to avoid the consequences of the events, people resort to lying to circumvent or to take a shortcut probably thinking that it is the easiest way to resolve the problem or the conflict. Being just and sincere is not being a totally selfish human being. Never choose the people you will work with or come in contact with. Be fair, play safe. Give to others whatever is due them, something they deserve to get not because you personally like them, they are your friends nor will you hold a decision or not act on it simply because you dislike the person or hates his guts. You must like doing something for others for it is an obligation to have someone as recipient of your service, love, understanding or care.
Need I say more?
