Chore, Work, Job, Career…

Chore : Something that you’d usually rather not do, but needs to get done

Work : Something that needs effort to get done

Job : Employment that puts food on the table

Career : A path of jobs that should move in the direction you want it to

When we were kids, we had chores to do. It’s a lesson in taking care of things that need to be done, whether we like it or not. It can also be a lesson in bargaining for chores that you don’t mind doing in exchange of those that you do.

Later, we learn about work. Homework, part-time work, voluntary work, piano practice, sports practice… These are things that come with rewards, monetary or otherwise.

A job is what you try to get after graduation, or before. You want the money, you work for it. A job provides a platform for continuous income. You can be self-employed; it’s a job all the same.

A career makes sense of what you have been doing all this while. It defines your interests, strengths, skills, passion, commitment and direction. It’s like an embodiment of your soul…

Wisdom for Women No 1:
Never criticize your other half’s career choice, or work obligations. If you don’t like his job, get another partner. Never even imply that his job is not good enough for you. A man’s career is his life.

Wisdom for Women No 2:
Build your own career, be it General Manager, Teacher or Homemaker. It gives you a purpose in life.

We all know building a career is not so easy. There are obstacles all along the way, challenges at every turn. It’s not a one off thing; it’s a lifetime job, its history in the making. How you deal with these obstacles is what makes you a winner or a loser. In trying to move forward, you may have fears that mistakes in the past will jeopardize your future. Sometimes you are unsure of where you should turn.

But if I learnt anything all these years, it’s that if you give yourself enough time, put in your best efforts, and do things for the right reasons, insya-Allah, things will work out for the best. God bless :-)