Life is a journey brimming with opportunities.
Posted on May 06, 2023 by Mukund Tumkur, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
"5 Key Insights from My 30-Year Corporate Journey: Unleashing Your Full Potential"
Throughout my 30-year corporate career, I have learned one invaluable lesson: life offers us countless opportunities to excel and reach our full potential. Whilst it may sound like a cliché or a motivational mantra, it is undeniably true. Upon reflection, I have drawn some conclusions I would like to share. Please remember that different perspectives on this vital topic are essential as diverse opinions contribute to a broader understanding.
1. Natural strengths trump academics. Growing up in India during the eighties and nineties, there was a strong emphasis on excelling academically and attending top colleges locally and abroad. However, I noticed that those who may not have been academically gifted still thrived in their careers, competing fiercely with their intellectual peers. Coupling their natural strengths—determination, proactiveness, willpower and learnable skills like focus, discipline, and structure created a level playing field.
2. The struggle to imitate successful peers often complicates the journey. Throughout my career, I have observed people’s tendency to mimic those they consider more successful than themselves. In doing so, they overlook that no two journeys are identical. These individuals often create unnecessary obstacles, take multiple detours, and bite off more than they can chew to emulate their peers. This arduous process keeps them busy, convincing them that hard work and sacrifice will eventually pay off.
3. Bouncing back from lows requires making the right choices and decisions. Milestones, crossroads, challenges, and self-doubt mark everyone’s career journey. The decisions made at these pivotal moments can either lead to success or cause them to lose their way. Unfortunately, I have witnessed too many people make poor choices by focusing on their past rather than their ambitions and the path forward.
4. The saying “You can’t be your doctor” rings true, but people often fail to apply this logic to their careers. Many undervalue the importance of seeking help, coaching, or mentorship. They wrestle with conflicts, challenges, and gaps internally, hesitant to seek help for fear of judgment or a lack of trust. This reluctance can ultimately harm their personal and professional growth.
5. Phrases like “catch-22,” “no choice,” and “should have taken a different path” are all too familiar among those in their late 30s and early 40s. These realisations often trigger a period of reflection and course correction, prompting individuals to work harder on themselves and dig deep for answers. While these revelations can be eye-opening, they may also leave people feeling it’s too late to change. Realising the need for inner transformation often coincides with a mid-life crisis.
My reflections on the opportunity life presents are by no means exhaustive, but I hope my insights prove helpful. Success depends on setting ambitious goals, pursuing them with intent, seeking support, and making the right choices. Most of you reading this post might think these issues are common knowledge, and you are right. However, only some take the initiative to address and overcome them. If any of this resonates with you, please don’t hesitate—to act now! Embrace the opportunities before you and forge your unique path to success.
