20 and thriving

Workplace lessons – Be humble. Be hungry. And always strive to be the hardest smartest worker in the room.

The year was 1999. I had just turned 20. It was a Thursday morning and I was working a part time job telemarketing for cars. I had two hours before I head to college to collect my hall ticket for my final exams that summer. In between a call, I looked up to see my dad arrive at the showroom. He walked right in, smiled and congratulated me. I got the job. Not just any job, but THE job. The one I’d prayed and wished for. At the building I had passed by every single day for the past three years on my way to college — the one with the green lawn, the compound (I had to get up from my bus seat to take a peak) and the flag that flew within.

April 1 – I walked in with my new ID badge on and my head held high. A few friendly smiles, while others just looked. One walked up and said, “You will be the youngest here”. I smiled and in my mind asked “So?”.

A working professional. My journey had begun and little did I know then this would require me to be fierce as fire at each turn.

And what a journey it has been. Two decades later I think of every tiny step taken, progress made each day that has added up to big results. Heart wrenching ups and downs. Most importantly lessons learnt on trust and distrust. Seeing friends who started spewing venom and seeing my success as their failure was the hardest. Icy stares and chilly words. Threats, false allegations and curses. Years moved by. What remained a constant was the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. This fed the fire within and taught me something new every day.

And today, I am  thankful for many things.

• The invisible hands that have always been behind my growth.
• Experiences that taught me it’s the effort that counts, not the applause that follows.
• Loyal friends who had my back when the knives were out.
• Understanding that sometimes it’s the will, more than the skill.
• Making me come to terms with the fact that it’s your attitude that determines your direction.
• Realizing that great things never comes from comfort zones.
• And finally knowing that passion is the difference between having a job and having a career.

I am reminded of what my dear friend said recently, “You attract what you deserve.”

And maybe that’s true – I deserve this journey. To make me complete.