A Note From A Sailor #1
While the others have set their boat ready, I am still staring at my boat, feeling unsatisfied.
At this time of my life, it is common to see that everyone is starting to sail towards whatever destination they have set. Some people have started theirs with a modest boat and some others have their boats equipped with sophisticated machine and tools. Though I could say that mine is somewhat in the middle, I still don’t have the guts to start sailing. I always wonder why my boat is not good enough. Therefore, I keep on doubting whether my boat will take me to the destination.
Although my mind is still occupied by fear and doubt, I am relieved that some of the heavy burden is taken away after I met several experienced sailors. For the past week, through the training called “Lead Others 2020”, I learned about how to prepare the journey. One sailor that catch my heart is Mrs. Anari, a General Manager for Human Resources at Kompas Gramedia. Though I am not on the same field as hers, there are so many things to learn from her, whether it is about her characters or her values.
The biggest mistake that I made is I keep building my boat without knowing where am I heading to. I keep on repairing the boat and putting new machine also tools without knowing whether the things I keep adding on is helpful for the journey. Before even going further on completing the boat, the first thing to do is setting the destination and setting the life purpose. Where do I want to go? What is my ultimate destination? Mrs. Anari emphasized on the importance of having goal, so that we won’t get lost along the way. Thus, the life purpose becomes the compass to guide the way.
Where am I heading to? It seems to be a deep and big question. As much as I try to deny it, I know I still don’t have the answer, but I have to have it. However, knowing that setting the goals might be overwhelming, Mrs. Anari also reminded that it is a process of discovery. I might not be able to know the answer within a day. It is a process in which I need to know better about my passion, my values, and the principle that I am holding onto. For Mrs. Anari herself, she believed that her goal is to create and environment in which she could redefine rule so that everyone can be develop themselves. As she holds on to the goal, she knows that anything that she does, it has to be anything that help her to reach the goal.
I’ve always imagined myself building career as a professional, however I keep on questioning whether having a professional career might be impactful for others. Mrs. Anari is a true example of a women who is able to prove that having a professional career does not hinder someone to create meaningful impact for other. The first key, as stated earlier, is having a meaningful life purpose both for ourselves and others. Second, it is important to firmly hold the personal value and build characters. A successful career starts with strong characters such as humility, learning agility, and eager to learn. The last key is to always believe in yourself in which it means to believe the goal that have been set, the value and principle we have, as well as our strength and capability.
Though the impact does not seem to be directly felt by everyone, however, it is important to note that the impact that Mrs. Anari has created has helped so many people to excel themselves. In another word, with the system that created based on her life purpose, she has create an environment where people could develop and be the best version of themselves. The contribution that she made is aligned with SDG number 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth. As stated in the goal, decent work includes the ability of such work to enable the worker to have personal development.
Although it has not been crystal clear, but one thing for sure, I’ll try to sail aiming for helping other to develop themselves. Mrs. Anari has inspired me in a way that I might pursue my career as a professional, whether as a policy specialist or program manager. Intertwining both SDG 8 and SDG 4 (Quality Education), I aim for creating program or policy that enable people to access various development program which would help them to excel themselves.
In order to reach it, I am certain that there are a lot to be prepared. At this point, I might not have started something big but I will keep on doing what will help me to reach the destination. It has been my main interest to be involved in various project aiming for personal development. For the past months, I have tried to craft several program which connects the professional with students. From now on, I will keep on working on that field especially in order to expanding the influence.
My boat is far from perfect. It is not as sophisticated as the others. But I know I don’t need a huge and perfect to start my journey. All I need is a destination to reach and firm believe on myself.
Now, I am ready to set sail.
