“Live now, believe me, wait not till tomorrow; Gather the roses of life today.” – Pierre de Ronsard
Many of us agree with the statement, “…life is fleeting”. This is part of a quote made by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In a time like this, we do not need to reason too much to agree with this statement. Life is equal to time; that ultimately translates into time is fleeting.
Time is Transient
If indeed time is transient, then why are we still in that place we know we should not be, wasting precious time? At the end of each day, undeniably, we would have used up 24 good hours – precious time. What should we be our focus as contributors to whatever vision we are pursuing? Probably, one of the most important things should be considering how we make use of all that time. What goes into the time slots we allocate for things daily? What would make the difference between Director Joe’s 24 hours, Human Resource Manager John’s would have to be the content, and the value attached to it.
Purpose
There is no doubt that purpose is a driving force in life. It definitely should drive our pursuits in relation to family, work and everything else. How hard is yours driving you and how well are you structuring the content of your schedule to ensure that there is maximum value created, shared or received with every investment of your time? Remember, “Life is not a matter of milestones, but moments.” – Rose Kennedy.
A Mismatch?
A popular idiom says, “a square peg in a round hole…” refers to being a wrong fit for a place. It is not a very flattering way to be described. Before we begin to consider whether we are making an impact at all or creating value where we are, we should be clear enough in our minds and at peace with ourselves that we are actually in an appropriate place in terms of work roles, family, finances and life in general.
Are you well fitted for your role in that organization or team? Are you well suited to be the leader of your team? The MD or Human Resource Manager for that company? If you are confident you are, you can begin or continue to explore the best ways to develop yourself to be the best version of who you are. If you are not, then there is a journey you may need to embark on.
Discover and Define Your Purpose in Life.
The significance of purpose or vision is not in its size. It should not be an issue of comparing yourself with someone else. Titles do not get the work done. Neither do accolades. The people bearing the titles do the work. In other words, you do not need a title to do what you should do. Arguably, a title could give some advantages or privileges; however, the lack of it should not be what stops you from making the impact you ought to make.
Find your Place.
Find your spot. Find your lane and run your race with all the diligence you can muster. This is in no way encouraging you to settle into a place of no growth – your cocoon; your comfort zone. Rather, your place is where you are able to grow as you create value and are recognized for it.
There are some questions you should consider answering honestly. These include:
- Am I who I say I am? Is there any discrepancy between who I say I am and who people see me to be?
- Do people with titles, big or small, intimidate me?
- What do I aspire to become? How daunting is it?
- Do I want to be remembered as a perfect photocopy of that colleague or as a rare original in my own right?
Few, if any, would want to be referred to as carbon copies of someone else and yet that is the exact message we put across by what we say and do. We all run the risk of running someone else’s race at the worst or watching on as other people accomplish their purpose while we use up all our time murmuring, complaining and belittling our own purpose.
Focus
Aristotle Onassis says, “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus and see the light.” For how long would you want to risk using all your time or even part of that precious resource, doing just that? Should you not rather pick up life lessons from colleagues, friends and family and focus your energies and efforts at being you; yes the original you?
Conclusion
The challenging process of growth is worth it if you fight to be who you are originally. Strive to be that you. Strive to discover who you are, what you have, what you need to make up the gap to where you need to be. Then go on and give it your all! Change your trajectory and move on to living that life of value no matter how small or insignificant you deem it to be. That is how to change your story from being that example of a “square peg in a round hole”. You are more valuable to yourself and to everyone else when you find your place. So Live now, believe me, wait not till tomorrow; Gather the roses of life today.” – Pierre de Ronsard.
Freda Abah-Dakou