Expanding Our Vision: Embracing Ambition and Going for Greater Heights
Expanding Our Vision: Embracing Ambition and Going for Greater Heights
Why we need to learn to see bigger and expect more
The question of defining my job has always been challenging. It's not something easily understood in my town or among my people.
One morning, it came up again when someone asked my mother about my job. She replied, "She works on the Internet." The person responded, "Oh, at an Internet café? Do they have many customers there?" My mother clarified, "No, she works online for people abroad."
In short, there was a lack of understanding. (By the way, when this happened, my mother was 72, and the person asking was my nephew, who was in his twenties.)
A similar encounter happened shortly before that when a former schoolmate asked me where I worked. I jokingly replied, "Right here." It wasn't entirely false since I work online and don't have to commute to any specific location.
Eventually, I explained that I work online, and the response was, "What does that mean? Is it like when people pay you to process their government clearances?" I clarified, "No, it's like working in an office, but instead of physically going to the office, I work online." The person then asked, "So, you create resumes and other documents for people?"
There was that apparent lack of understanding again.
Many times, I've thought over the state of our country, realizing it's not solely the fault of corrupt politicians or institutions.
As hardworking as Filipinos are, we oftentimes limit our thinking.
There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but there is an apparent lack of ambition.
If you ask a child why they go to school, there's a high chance you'll hear an answer like, "So I can get a degree, find a good job, and help my family."
It might sound commendable and noble, but have we ever questioned why our education should stop at "a good job"?
Why should our aspirations end with solely helping our own families?
My proposal is that we try and break free from these limiting beliefs and cultivate a mindset of ambition and growth.
Here are two key actions to consider:
Expand Your Horizons: Seek new opportunities and experiences beyond your immediate surroundings. Embrace the power of the Internet and technology to connect with a global community. Explore online platforms for learning, freelancing, entrepreneurship, or networking. Engage with people from diverse backgrounds and industries. By broadening your horizons, you expose yourself to fresh perspectives and possibilities, fueling your ambition to aim higher.
Set Bold Goals: Dare to dream big and set ambitious goals. Rather than limiting your aspirations to a "good job" or helping only your family, envision a future where you make a broader impact. Define what success means to you on a personal and societal level. Aim to create positive change in your community, country, or even the world. Break down your goals into actionable steps and commit to continuous learning and growth to achieve them.
By taking these actions, we can collectively transform our mindset and inspire a new wave of ambition in the Filipino society. Let us encourage each other to see beyond the confines of traditional expectations and embrace the vast possibilities that are right in front of us.
The limitations we face in our society go beyond corrupt politicians and institutions. It's essential for us to recognize the need for a mindset shift. We must challenge the notion that a "good job" and helping our families are the ultimate goals of our education and careers.
Instead, we must strive for personal growth, expanded horizons, and ambitious aspirations. It is possible to break free from the constraints of small thinking and create a future where ambition propels us to greater heights of success and fulfillment.
This article is a revised and updated version of one originally posted on Medium: https://medium.com/@iamMJae/we-gotta-learn-to-see-a-bigger-we-gotta-learn-to-expect-more-37b9e4cbc492