Āru (Six): RedPill.

Drove in and parked up at the usual. However today wasn’t as usual as the other ninety-six Saturdays I’d parked up before starting shift.

My last day at the Globo gym had finally taken its course and presented itself two years after I had first stepped foot inside it’s bright walls.

I made the choice to move on.

After months of failed job applications I was presented with an opportunity (completely unexpected and out of my comfort zone – had nothing to do with what I studied at varsity) through a connection made at my previous job (Yoda – as previously mentioned in earlier blogs).

Looking back, a month or so down the track being settled into the new job it got me thinking… Why did it take me so long to find this job or ‘move on’ post-uni?

Simple answer. In my quest I’d only sold ‘half of myself’

Each of us has a unique skill-set. Upon looking for jobs and searching for opportunities it was only half of the picture I had painted for these decision makers. I’d put myself along with all my skills, tools and personality in a box only to find out my Houdini escape was about 9-months too long.

When looking for a job it’s all too easy to limit and specify yourself within certain areas, scopes and markets without knowing it. I had done this by ONLY looking for a certain 2-types of jobs within what I had specialized in.

In this early career stage: growing your skill set (for me personally) was of utmost importance: Growing your transportable skills (who, what, where and how), building meaningful experiences (envision, fail and conquer) and developing enduring relationships (network, network & NETWORK! refer to blog: five). These were skills I needed not only to help me grow professionally but socially as well. These skills would be the building blocks to any successful career, no matter what industry you’re in.

Each job has its own set of challenges and I encourage you to pick and choose, chase experiences and ventures that will push you to grow your skill-set along with giving you meaningful experiences and building positive relationships.

Given the level and degree of your capabilities in this day and age don’t box yourself in. Stats suggest that during the average lifespan an individual will have a change in careers about 7 times. Just because it’s not the perfect match doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into one or a better version of one down the road in the years to come.

Have the confidence to pursue something out of your element. Don’t box yourself in: be agile and versatile, you never know what opportunities could come from out of the blue. Dare to be brave. Choose the red pill.

“Fortune favours the brave” – or so they say.