This question was posted to me in an interview Last week. "What motivates me in life?" I came back home and regret what I answered.
Came to think of it, I think failures motivate me in life. Because without failures, you won't be able to improve and knowing where to move on in life. Looking from My past till now, I think I failed in many stuff.
1) Studies - this is one area which I never excel in My whole life.
Starting from PSLE, I was happy that I was able to opt for the Express stream and I thought I did My parents proud that I am not in normal stream (cos nobody among My cousins were in the normal stream, So you understand where the pressure was?)
Went through Secondary school, I don't know what happen to me that I couldn't cope with My studies. I remembered I could even score a fantastic marks for my literature which nobody may believe. You can count the marks with fingers. End of the year, I couldn't make it to maintain in Express stream with My classmates. So I had to go to the Normal Stream in Secondary two.
With the 'bo tak cheh ' (never study in hokkien ) attitude, I was lucky that I managed to clear My 'N' level but not for the 'O'. I was lost at that time when i received my results but a very nice teacher, Mr Hari, encouraged me to apply for repeat. I was very stubborn back then but still heed for his advice reluctantly. Although a second chance was given, My grades did improve from My previous year grades, I still couldn't make it for Diploma in a local Polytechnic.
And again, Mr Hari insisting me to apply for ITE which in the past, people believed that "It's The End " for anyone who goes through ITE.
It wasn't that bad actually after going through two years of ITE. I was able to go into the first choice of the course I have chosen. Best of all, I didn't expect that I made it into Polytechnic.
Clearing My Diploma was also another achievement for me.
I hate studies actually but I do enjoy the process. Sounds contradicting, I know. But it's the process that I have gone through to tell myself that it's ok even I am slower than any other of My peers. I still make it in the end.
2) Career - After leaving my previous job in the education sector, I faced alot of challenges. As I was heading to a new industry, I had to clear those financial papers. It was a chore to me (well, u know that I hate studying).
I faced a lot of dilemmas which I actually kept to myself. It was not easy.
I don't know how to put it in words but it was really bad.
It's a long story that those who were with me during down time would know and I am really thankful for that.
a little reflection for myself:
Last week, met up with My Uni friends for dinner. Serena asked if I regret quitting my previous job in the education industry. I said no. I did not regret, neither do I regret joining the finance industry.
Today, I went back with Haryati after school, She was with me throughout my struggles, happiness, everything on my new career. We were happily chatting in the cab and recapping on the process I had gone through. One thing I shared was, anything that can be solved by money is not a problem. This was shared by a senior teacher when I was working in school.
The next thing I mentioned was, if I didn't join my friend in the first place, I may not know what's really good and bad in an organisation. And again, processes we faced and learnt in life.
You may be thinking in what way I have failed. There's a lot to share but I am not sure If I am able to as I am afraid that I might get into compliance matter So I wont be sharing.
But a piece of advice for anyone who is going to join the financial industry, you really have to join the right person.
Now, I am thankful and grateful for friends who had helped me, stood by my side during my rainy days and check on my daily activity, listen to me, giving me their honest opinions, concerning on my finances, etc!
How am I going to perform will all depends. I am not saying that I am successful here but u know, the setbacks I had gone through really changed alot of my thinking, my opinions on human beings too.
