Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of pursuing what one truly desires rather than feeling compelled to follow a path due to one's abilities or expectations.

Abstract

The author of the article reflects on the societal pressure to pursue careers based on one's talents or academic background, highlighting the personal journey of realizing that personal fulfillment should guide career choices. Despite excelling in a corporate role and experiencing promotions, the author felt unfulfilled and ultimately chose to leave a successful career to pursue writing, an early passion. The article encourages readers to recognize that having a choice in one's pursuits is crucial for professional happiness and that it's never too late to change directions, despite the fear and uncertainty that may accompany such a decision.

Opinions

The author argues that just because someone is good at something, it doesn't mean they should feel obligated to pursue it as a career.
There is a societal expectation to continue on a path once you start, especially if you are successful, but this may not lead to personal satisfaction.
The author suggests that many people fall into the trap of continuously striving for more in a career that doesn't fulfill them, often due to a sense of duty or the pursuit of perfection.
The article conveys that it's important to take a step back and assess whether your career aligns with your personal desires and goals.
The author believes that change is possible and that individuals should not be afraid to explore other interests or passions, even if it means stepping away from a secure and successful position.
The narrative implies that personal fulfillment and happiness should be prioritized over societal or external expectations when making career decisions.
The author's decision to quit a corporate career to become a writer illustrates the belief that it's never too late to pursue a dream or a different path.

Just Because You Can, It Doesn’t Mean You Have To

Realise you have a choice in what you pursue.

You have a natural talent for persuasion so you should go into sales, right? You know how to handle kids so you should definitely train to be a teacher. You studied business at university so you should be an entrepreneur, yes?

Wrong.

Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you have to.

More of us fall into this trap than we care to realise. Most of us are hardworking, dedicated perfectionists. No matter what we do, we want to be the best, achieve the most, keep moving upwards.

And that’s great. Truly, it is. As long as you’re doing something you want to do.

Are You Doing What You Want To Do?

I studied French at university, put in a lot of effort and was awarded a First Class Honours. To be frank, once I’d completed my degree I was done with studying, essays, and deadlines. I was done being the poor student. I wanted to get out in the real world and start earning myself a wage.

I decided that I would work for a year then look at going part-time and see whether my newfound aversion to studying had subsided enough to embark upon a Masters degree in Translation.

That never happened.

A family member told me there was a job vacancy at a company not far from where I lived. She worked there and said the company really valued their employees. It was a virtual receptionist role and although I’d never done something like it, I thought I’d give it a go. After all, it was only going to be a temporary thing.

I ended up working for the company for over 7 years.

In that time, I was promoted 4 times. Sure, it was a stop-gap job but I worked my backside off regardless. I’d always been taught to do the very best I could in whatever I did. And it paid off. I got promoted. Again and again.

Now, I learnt a helluva lot in my time working for this company. I met some wonderfully unique people who I know will be life long friends. I celebrated big birthdays, bought my first house, and married my husband during this time.

I gained invaluable experience and insight into customer service, people management, client management, leadership, operations. I was given more and more responsibility because I was good at my job. Really good.

Realising the Truth

I realised one day that whenever somebody celebrated 10 years working for the company (who are great, by the way), they seemed so happy. So joyous. But in the back of my mind, I knew I never wanted to reach my 10 year anniversary there and be standing in their spot.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the company or my role. Everyone was proud of me. I was doing well. But my job just wasn’t fulfilling me in the way it should have been.

Every time I got promoted, I’d told myself that I’d learn from my new role for a little while, then move on. Until the next promotion happened. And the next.

I was also reminded of my love for writing. When life as we knew it changed drastically in 2020, I suddenly had more time on my hands and this led me to sitting down and seriously putting pen to paper in a way that I’d last done when I was a child.

I’d always written stories as a kid and have been in love with reading my entire life, but for some reason being an author didn’t seem like a realistic option when I was growing up. Plus, it turned out I had a talent for languages which I deemed a more worthy career instead. Ironic, as I haven’t used my languages professionally either.

You Don’t Have To Do Something Just Because You’re Good at It

It took me 7 years to learn this. Actually, you could argue that it took me most of my life to learn it.

You might be really, really great at what you do, but if you don’t want to do it, then don’t. You have a choice.

Yes, there are things to take into account. Your home life, your financial situation. Change isn’t instantaneous. You may have to save for a while to give yourself a financial buffer or go back into education.

But you have a choice in what you pursue.

If what you are doing or going after currently isn’t serving you, then know there are options. Look outside of the box. Figure out what to try instead.

Ultimately, I quit my corporate career and am working to become an established writer and successful author. I’m writing a novel which I want to have published when it is finished. I write short stories which I submit to magazines, journals, and competitions. I write on Medium. I’ve even started branching out from solely writing fiction!

It’s sh*t scary and I have no idea what is going to happen next. But I’m the happiest I’ve been in my professional life in 7 years. And I’m still working damn hard to be the best I can be.

We are all talented, and we are all talented at more than one thing. But don’t let that determine your future. You can decide what you want to pursue.