Mid-Career Reflection

Introduction

Pharmacist was not my lifelong dream, but it has been my career for the past decade.

  • Initially, it was an exciting adventure filled with new learning experiences and professional growth. I believe I could excel in this field.
  • Over the years, I have worked hard to keep up with the ever-changing medical field.
  • However, reflecting on my journey, I realise that enjoying life and nurturing relationships are far more precious than achieving great career heights.
  • Moreover, knowledge can be likened to a vast ocean, endlessly swept by waves of new information.

Squid Game 1st Season VS 2nd Season

There are not that many people whose names will be remembered by future generations.

  • However, the crucial questions we must answer in life is: Upon leaving this world, will we be missed? Are there any regrets about things we wish we had done differently?

NOTE: Importantly, different stages of life and individuals may have distinct priorities that bring them joy and fulfillment. During their teenage years, young people often prioritize friendships and adventurous experiences.



Human Politics

Politics is inherent to human society.

  • Instead of connecting through communication, people often shut down dialogue and express unhappiness behind closed doors.
  • While some view this as a way to build relationships, others see it as a means of releasing stress, and some simply enjoy gossiping.
  • Nonetheless, this unhealthy culture fosters an environment where individuals prioritize self-preservation and choose not to voice their disagreements.

Management may strategically foster competition among colleagues with the aim of enhancing work quality and driving performance.

  • However, this can backfire, resulting in office politics and a decline in employee morale.
  • Furthermore, inconsistent and discriminatory micromanagement, a form of abuse of power, further demotivates employees.



The Bottom Neck

After several years in a monotonous role, the job inevitably devolves into a dull routine: work, go home, repeat.

  • While the pursuit of new knowledge is initially exciting, it often exposes our own inadequacies, which we gradually come to accept as part of ourselves.
  • The stressful reality that everything requires money forces us to confront the limitations of our current salary trajectory and professional development, casting a shadow over the future.
  • We seem to be endlessly chasing ambition and fleeting goals, yet we remain hopelessly adrift, with the map to success and financial freedom remaining a distant dream.

For example, community pharmacists may aspire to own their pharmacy, but what lies beyond that?

  • Perhaps a few more stores?
  • However, despite leading a larger team, which presents new challenges, the fundamental work remains largely the same.
  • At some point, the ambition fades, and the desire for a less stressful life takes precedence.

This pattern is common across many professions: the initial excitement of a new role gradually gives way to another day of routine.

  • Ironically, it is this same boredom that often traps us within our comfort zones.



The Easy Way Out

A common phenomenon in career progression is the accumulation of responsibilities.

  • As you advance in a role, you often inherit a multitude of tasks, many of which are seemingly simple but incredibly tedious.
  • These can range from ensuring adequate medication stocks, monitoring short expiry medications, providing patient counselling to managing office stationery.
  • Furthermore, your responsibilities may extend far beyond your initial job description, often encompassing tasks that were previously delegated to others or simply overlooked.
  • This disparity becomes particularly pronounced when we observe that underperforming colleagues often have significantly fewer responsibilities than high-achieving individuals like ourselves.

Honestly, given the choice, many of us would gravitate towards higher-paying roles with fewer responsibilities.

  • We may exhibit a natural reluctance to take on additional responsibilities or face challenging decisions, including those associated with leadership roles.

NOTE: Certainly, there are individuals who thrive in leadership roles, relishing the opportunity to make important decisions and embrace challenges as part of their daily routine.



Summary

Quitting my current job and pursuing a new career path would require immense courage and a strong adventurous spirit.

  • As I am no longer young, I face the fear of competing with younger, more energetic individuals.
  • This fear is further compounded by existing commitments and the need to maintain a certain quality of life, which requires a steady income.
  • The thought of losing my current career and risking everything feels like gambling on an unknown outcome, potentially leading to a worse situation.
Change can often be frightening due to the uncertainty it brings and the potential for an overwhelming workload required to adapt to the new challenges.

Comments

  1. ''I realise that enjoying life and nurturing relationships are far more precious than achieving great career heights.''.....true indeed.

    ReplyDelete

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