Everything Is Hard Unless You Want A Mediocre Life.

And I mean everything. There is only one way to avoid this.

Summer Lotus Jul 31 · 4 min read

Life is meant to be hard and we should expect it.

Someone says, “Oh, I just take life easy, mark time every day and collect my salary at the end of the month”.

Well, things don’t work this way. In this competitive world that has gone global and where people from other countries can easily seek work in your country, it is a huge mistake to sit on your laurels.

Soon, very soon, you will get booted out. Because, there is always someone hungrier than you, someone who wants to prove their salt no matter how unpalatable the job, someone who sees any job as a stepping stone to a better one.

Even if you were in a multinational enterprise where they have thousands of workers, walls can talk.

Words get around that you are a skiver, or are not doing your share enough. There is no hiding from job appraisals.

Don’t kill your dreams by being mediocre

The world works in the most expected way; the hardworking ones, the smart ones and the initiated even when not smart but willing to learn and contribute, all will get a piece of the pie.

So, it is best to buck up. Especially in today’s new normal world, so to speak, you have to be abnormal – in the sense that you show adaptability like a chameleon, flex like bamboo in the wind, adjusting to the stormy billows of life as it belts everyone with continuous changes, unimaginable.

In this COVID-19 era, you learned to be resourceful. Having a virus susceptible job and quickly skill yourself to pick up a virus-proof one.

A job like the one you know would be essential when a pandemic hits like those jobs that are in demand now while others are clamped down by the regulations.

I see that opportunity in technology such as blogging, web-based education, e-commerce, food delivery services, transport, health services, etc.

Indeed, it has been a gig economy and will be for good – one job is not enough. Even if you are so versed and passionate about your vocation, learning a different trade would enrich your life immensely.

And in a strange and creative way, they will overlap at some points and contribute to each other’s growth.

I have been a dentist for 35 years and never wanted to die a dentist anyway though I enjoy dentistry. We are made to experience and explore more and squeeze mediocrity out of our lives. Somehow, I became interested in blogging as I was entertaining the idea of being a writer since I like to share my travel stories.

Blogging led to website creation and content creation as well as setting up an e-commerce store.

The two interests overlap. Besides blogging, It became natural for me to set up a clinic website that I never had one but has been a necessity long overdue.

I was a latecomer to the game and was more motivated to do so when I found out that my dentist friends have spent several thousand dollars on their websites besides hefty yearly maintenance.

After some effort, I came up with a functional one which I felt was basic but serve patients well. However, I am continuously upgrading it to make google like me.

SEO was next as it is today’s way of reaching out to patients who use the internet to look for dental services.

SEO is search engine optimization, which is knowing how to make your website more accessible to internet users when they search for the dental industry.

I learned to request for Google stars and FB likes to get ranking. Without paying any money, it works and I had referrals through Google searches.

So, the two vocations had intertwined and potentiated each other’s performance. With more website experience, I can now offer website services as well, a virus-proof job. In the process of creating websites, I learn tools like photo editing, adding elements, and graphics which is a fun thing to do.

Dentistry is moving fast especially when it became digitally enhanced. Everything is fast and clean and good.

Soon to be phased out would be impressions, those sticky, gluey stuff that patients hate and would be replaced by scanning the teeth and gums to record data in the mouth.

For years, X-rays have already been digital and 3 D images were available for more accurate analysis of vital structures and teeth and bone integrity. Now splints could be fabricated for accurate placement of implants.

It takes work and many man-hours to upskill. There are no shortcuts in life.

So, are most careers. If you do not wish to be replaced by someone who knows more and willing to work harder, you have to create that x-factor, that extra edge that would tip that interview in your favor. Or at least show that you are valuable and relevant even with the robots around.

I see developing Communication skills as a paramount way to move forward in one’s career and life.

Creating content is huge now as most people turn to the internet or source for products and information.

So if you communicate well, whether, in writing or speaking, you would win accolades for yourself and an extra jig that pays well. Businesses need good write-up to attract potential clients to their sites to translate them into clients.

That means more reading, more writing, and more practice at Toastmasters’ meetings that would stand us in good stead for this new role.

Nobody ever says that life is easy or will get easier. But it is certainly fascinating. We need to ride this new wave of change and triumph in this brave new world.