In search of choices and options
Like the rest of the world, Zimbabwe is experiencing rough economic times. However without the necessary structures both public and private the extent of that is felt harshly. Most big organisations are retrenching and others have frozen hiring especially of graduate entry-level jobs. In light of the perceived uncertainty that accompanies Zimbabwean elections with the 2018 elections in the horizons companies are being prudent about their exposure to the already volatile Zimbabwean market. What this means is 2017 has not been the most ideal time to come back home.
So what does it mean when you do find yourself back? How do you know what is the right thing to do? Where do you draw the line between dreams and fantasies? When do you know when it is time to give up and just settle? I struggled with these questions for a while. One thing I was not ready for was the desperation of unemployment. I come from a family of hardworking people and I believe that working is not just necessary but it is the key to a happy life. So with a sense of desperation I jumped into a job situation at the protest of my parents.
This job opportunity had a lot of red flags going in but I wanted to believe that it would prove to be the exception to the rule. My experience turned out to be an education and a half. I am wiser for it. My biggest take away from all of it has been a new perspective on what it means to have choices and options.
For me having choice and options meant that situation B C and D were already present and it was a matter of selecting what fit. But am realising that whatever the situation you are in if you want to know whether you have options and choices you have to answer 3 simple questions:
1. WHO AM I?
2. WHAT ARE MY VALUES?
3. WHAT AM I WORTH?
Those 3 questions guide you while keeping you grounded. Who are you? This matters because when you figure that out you can start to be honest about what it is you actually want. What are my values? This one is a tough one but it is important. Your values determine what compromises you are willing to make. What lengths you are willing to go for your vision and for your goals. What am I worth? What treatment are you willing to accept from other people. These questions combined give you a sense of certainty of purpose and of direction. You learn that sometimes there are no bad or good job situations, it comes down to if it is for you or not? Whether it is in love, in life or in business you can make just about anything work if you try hard enough but the question will always be is that the best decision for you? Does it align with who you know yourself to be, what you are worth and what your values are? I will be honest answering these questions is not as easy as implementing them. When the stakes are high security vs uncertainty, success vs perceived failure, belonging vs being an outsider. The stakes do get high but so do the rewards too.
So I find myself back on the job market but no longer riddled with anxiety and overwhelmed with desperation. I trust in what the future holds not because I can tell the future, but rather because I have confidence in who I am. I am ready to wait out the storms that life has in store and with childlike faith and expectation I await the great things coming my way.
