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Finding your true footing in life | vk saraswat


A common question today’s youth have is the decision they make for their career, their professional calling or their “permanent job” if you will.

A career decision today is tougher to make today than it was in , say, my time. There are so many options, so many new fields, sub fields and increased resources to cultivate a career in any of these fields easily.

How then, do you figure out what you need to do in life ?

Do you opt for a ‘safe’ government job, follow the family business, jump into the growing tide of budding entrepreneurs today or just follow your passion ?

The internet has allowed a lot of creatively aligned people to monetize their passion - sites like pinterest allow you to earn online through very little investment, youtube blogging is a dream job for many , other blogs and social networks have their own promotional things that they offer their subscribers - in short, it is easier, much easier today to chase your goals.

A good photographer today demands as much respect as, and earns more than a surgeon. This is a welcome change and an unimaginable situation in India in the 1950s. We are experiencing a paradigm shift of sorts today, so our nation and our youth should embrace it and make best use of the opportunity.

So here are a few keys which I think will help you all understand life and yourself better :

What’s the one thing you think of, everyday ?

A lot of us have a passion, let’s call it a hobby if you think it isnt strong enough to be called a passion. It could be anything - photography, cooking, selling things that you made, helping people sell things, predicting market behaviour…

Believe it or not, some of these are traits which can lead to a great career in stocks , trading , sales, commerce, films or digital.

First, figure out what you like to do most.

Second, is it going to make money ? Can you be happy doing just that for the rest of your life ? Will it make you happy ? Will it put a roof over your head and food on the table ?

You might like to do something but people around you may tell  you it’s impossible to make money out of it. That’s what they told J.K.Rowling as well, but look how that turned out !

Of course, if your goals aren’t to make money, but rather to just find something to do, that you like and you’re already financially secure, then it’s great to just follow your heart. But, in a country like ours, that’s what is most lacking - the ability to do something you like is often nipped at the bud by parents , or later by ones own experiences or by society itself.

My childhood was driven by focus and a strict reminder by my father to do anything, but to be the best at it. Which is why, when I chose to study in Bangalore instead of taking up the cushy government job that I was offered, it wasn’t very easy.

For those few years, my family could’ve done with the extra money input that a job would bring instead of the increased output of my college fees, but they never once complained. I walked a path, that might be seemingly easy compared to so many more stories of struggle in our nation - but to me, my personal struggle was worth every bit to what I have today.Because if it wasn’t for the struggle, I wouldn’t have tasted success.

Will write more on this in my next blog. What did you all think of career choices and finding your passion ? Let me know in the comments section below.

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