I have been off the labor market for nearly two years, and frankly I didn’t want to look for a new job in my previous career because I wanted to try something different, something that can provide me with freedom and room for me to grow as an individual and entrepreneur. I was planning to open up a big supermarket but didn’t get the funds needed, and therefore this dream has been on a standby while I look for what I have to do for now.
During this period I have been helping my wife out at her clothes store and hoping my needed funds will be coming through as I have made enquires to my sources of loans, and that is how I’ve been having my quiet life and focusing on my goal.
Then last week an incident occurred which compelled me to think again of what I am facing.
I received a visit from an old friend I used to work with a long time ago. This person has never visited me before even when we were working together. So, when he appeared at my doorstep, I was not only surprised, but I wanted to know the reason for his visit.
He then told me how life is good and how he has been successful and profitable in his business and finally after few discussions about how happy he is and how things have gone on his end, he finally revealed the purpose of his visit was to invite me to come and work for him in his business venture. I told him I will think about it; however, deep inside I didn’t take him seriously and completely forgot about it after he left.
However he did not let me be. He came back again, not once, but three more times, talking about expansion, opening new branches, greater plan and so forth about all his future projections but one thing I saw common in every conversation that came from him. I noticed the entire discussions were all about him; his projections and not even once did I clearly see myself being part of it.
Each time I still maintained that I will think about the proposal but truth of the fact is, there was no need for me to think.
The job is not for me.
The reason was, I couldn't visualize myself fitting into the entire vision which I couldn't even see in the first place. Even if it was meant to be offering good salary, and even if the offer looked attractive to everyone, this was already a major red flag for me that I was not going to be involved in the business, not as intended.
He further explained that he was to relocate to another state to launch new outlets and I was to be the manager in the current office together with his wife; a part that seemed to even make the offer far worse as I would just be fulfilling an obligation rather than doing work that has my future growth involved.
At my age and experience, I am now beyond working for someone else’s dream just for the time being and to earn something. I have had my share of this before and I know how it feels to devote your time and energy in things that you are not a part of.
This is where I am now; I want something I know I will derive a sense of direction from, something aligned with what I envision for myself, not just a job to keep me occupied or put something in my pocket for the moment. I have done things due to necessity, now it is time for me to be intentional with what I focus my energy on.
So I told him no. This job isn't for me.