Does your job/career give you joy and fulfillment?
Do you go to work dreading each day you are at the office? Has quitting ever crossed your mind?
When we do things for the sake of it or because we need the money, most times we end up feeling frustrated and unmotivated. Given how short life is, it is important to find joy and passion in all we do.
American author Nora Roberts once opined that there’s no reward without work, no victory without effort and no battle won without risk.
The adage is true in the story of Edgar Otieno, who ditched her career in banking in order to become a hawker.
According to Bizna reports, Edgar left his good job at Absa Kenya bank to hawk pencils in the streets of Nairobi.
While speaking previous interview, Edgar noted that the move was driven by his passion and hence resorted to launching his own business.
He added that the pay he received from the bank was insufficient to sustain him.
“I’ve made an effort to learn basic phrases of most languages spoken in Kenya. Years on the street have taught me that most Kenyans prefer to buy from their own, or from someone who speaks their language. Kenyans are still tribal,” he stated.
Edgar is a diploma holder in social work field, but he has not been lucky to work in his field.
“In 2012, I enrolled for a diploma in social work in hope of a better job, but nothing has come up yet…I’ve not received an offer that would pay more than what I earn in a day,” he said.
Explaining why he always wear suits while selling pencils in the streets, Edgar said it was part of sales pitching.
“People buy with their eyes first…If you dress well, they’ll be more likely to trust you and buy from you,” he started.
The freedom to choose his own hours and the flexibility of his job allowed him to pursue other interests like farming and study.
He was able to pay for his own college tuition and a social work diploma with the money he earned.
Key takeaways from Edgar Otieno’s story;
Rome was not built in a day! Have a plan and figure out what will work for you. It’s not just about waking up one day and deciding to quit! Have a vision and set goals for yourself.
You won’t be successful overnight — but you’ll be successful one night. Take great leaps of faith, do what you can and extend your limits.
Success is waking up each morning, doing the work you love, being with the people you love and helping others do the same.
Own your life or someone else will do it for you!
