Important progress

There are people who are both happy and successful with their careers. Then there are people who are successful, but not necessarily happy.

Achieving progress is important, but we need to ask ourselves this from time to time: Yes, we have progress, but are we making important progress?

Do you have this sinking feeling that something is missing in your career and your life?

You do what you always do and because you are very good at it, you already know the results. Results are expected. And the reports no longer surprise you.

One evening, I spoke to an audience of about 400 and more; they were all doctors. I have presented the same material before to a different group of doctors, and I know how to provide a winning presentation – good material, good content and good delivery. I know the works. But I felt nervous that evening. It wasn’t because of the size of the audience; I have spoken at several speaking engagements with greater number of listeners.

I felt nervous because I did not know for sure what the outcome would be.

Thoughts were racing in and out of my mind. Will I let them down? Will I disappoint?

Somehow, all this feeling of doubt came back and flooded me.

In times of uncertainty, I do the most certain thing I know would help: I pray.

Then I was called in front. I took a deep breath, smiled, and looked at the audience. That evening, I spoke with confidence. I felt so good. The listeners were gracious, and God was merciful.

When it was over, I processed the whole experience in my mind. At first, I was unsure of the outcome but when it came out well, I was ecstatic.

People are continuously improving. It is unfair to say that people fall into a state of stasis because of mediocrity.

I would surmise that the reason why we feel like we are not making important progress is because we know unconsciously what the outcome would be.

When the outcome does not satisfy our expectations, we feel depressed. When it does meet our expectations, we feel nonchalant about it.

Think of this, we want to earn more, so we pour more effort into our work, but for some reason, it’s not satisfying. The quick fix is to raise the bar higher and try to achieve the new target. If achieved, people still feel empty. Many people find the entire process meaningless.

The cause of this ‘meaningless and unsatisfying feeling’ is simply our tendency to focus on ourselves. We do what we do and it doesn’t matter how it can affect other people.

These feelings of self-focused purpose and self-interest lead to emptiness.

But if we do things based on how it can benefit other people, then we are not just doing work, we are fulfilling a purpose.

Work now carries a meaning because it is no longer self-centered, but centered on others.

You see, the desire to excel is no longer about satisfying the objective of self-image management. The desire to excel becomes more meaningful, it now has a higher purpose of wanting to express truth and ideas that would help other people.

Very few people know this and in their blind pursuit of satisfaction, the quick fix leads to less.

God has created us with a purpose, and that is to be of use and service to others.

So, back to the question: Is our work and progress meaningful because they serve important purposes?

Something to think about.

(Mark your calendars. Spend two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills as he present Level Up Leadership on September 23-24 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire at 09158055910 or call 632-6310912 for details.)