Why it's as real as Bigfoot and Unicorns

Galib Nakib Rahman | Published: August 03, 2024 22:28:38

Remember the scene -- Season 4, Episode 12, FRIENDS?
Monica: He's got something to do with transponding
Rachel: He's a tra..transponster!!!
Monica: THAT'S NOT EVEN A WORD!!!!!
Or the scene where Chandler Bing struggles to explain his job? "I'm an IT procurement manager specialising in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration," he says, to the blank stares of his friends. The confusion around his job is symbolic of our current predicament-- where is that perfect job? This is our ‘Khoj the Search’, to find that one thing as elusive as the solution of Bangladesh Cricket Team, to find job satisfaction in a world where roles are increasingly complex and multi-faceted. In this weird age of TikTok challenges, avocado toasts and the constant herculean battle to stay relevant on social media, this perfect job has truly become the holy grail for us Gen Y/Millennials and y'all Gen Z's.
Spoiler alert: It is as much as a myth like Unicorns, Bigfoot and Bangladesh winning the world cup. It doesn't exist. Then Galib, instead of acting so enlightened, prays to tell us why we chase it. Ah yes my young padawan, there is verily a reason. We act like this obsessed clingy ex when it comes to this because, no matter how woke and enlightened we think we are, we indeed are driven. Driven by social media influencers flaunting their #Blessed lives and motivational speakers selling dreams at sessions where they tell you how it is ok to fail and how they are the changemakers and hope raisers.
Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are rife with success stories, but they rarely tell the whole story. Young professionals aspire to these curated lives, often forgetting that what they see is a heavily filtered version of reality. The pressure to keep up can be exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling. We see the highlights-promotions, accolades, and the occasional office party but we don't see the late nights, the panic attacks, the stress, or the mundane, boring day-to-day tasks. It is like watching a DC movie and expecting every day to be filled with action-packed adventure, conveniently ignoring the hours Batman spends on his cases. In Bangladesh, social media's impact is equally profound. Influencers and content creators showcase their seemingly perfect lives, complete with sponsored posts and brand deals. It is like how the MasterChefs cook everything in a matter of minutes and thinking we can do the same only to channel our inner Gordon Ramsey on ourselves for even thinking that we can cook. The time spent on perfecting a craft is never easy. It is bitter, sweat stained and dripping wet with tears.
Just like my father says every time I try to complain, "Work is work". A more 'Us Bhai Us' version would be "It is what is it". Work is tough. It is not always going to be Instagrammable. In Bangladesh, where the job market is highly competitive, the insane innate pressure to find the dream job is immense. Our grandparents or parents might sneer at the idea, recalling a time when job security and a steady paycheck were all that mattered. But in today's gig economy driven culture, stability is often sacrificed for the allure of creativity and self-fulfilment.
The constant hustle, the irregular income, and the lack of benefits can make the dream job feel more like a nightmare. Soon, you face the beast you created by selling your soul to the devil, the burnout. This touches us all, irrespective of your generation or whether you are a believer of mental health matters or not, once burnout starts, it gets real freaky. Furthermore, the traditional 9-to-5 is evolving with the new concepts on the horizon. The pandemic accelerated remote work trends, but it also blurred the thick, distinctive (thought otherwise) lines between work and personal life. Now, your living room is your office, o nah wait, workstation. Your work emails do not adhere to business hours anymore. Ergo, despite the romanticised idea of freelancing and entrepreneurship, the reality is often far from glamorous.
Now this can be easily thwarted with the glorified over hyped term, "Passion". Let me do you one better, let me throw a clichéd mantra. "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." Is it though? This oft-quoted mantra sounds wonderful in theory, but it is not entirely realistic. Passion can indeed be a driving force, but it is not a panacea. While it is important to find work that you enjoy, it is equally important to recognise that not every aspect of your job will be thrilling. And that's okay! Passion should be a part of the equation, not the entire solution. The idea that passion alone will sustain you through the trials and tribulations of work is, frankly, a bit naive. Even the most passionate pursuits come with their share of drudgery. Cristiano Ronaldo aptly said that everyone wants to be like Ronaldo, but no one wants to work like Ronaldo. Ask any artist, writer, or entrepreneur about the less glamorous side of their work, and they will tell you about the long hours, the financial instability, and the constant hustle. Plus, one should also consider the fact that in Bangladesh, where job markets are still maturing, the luxury of following one's passion is often overshadowed by the need for financial stability or social status. Ours is a country where cultural and familial expectations often play a significant role in career choices. It is easy to get caught up in societal expectations and the pressure to achieve certain milestones. However, true success is personal and varies from individual to individual. Redefining success can be challenging. For some, it might mean climbing the corporate ladder; for others, it might mean finding a balance between work and personal life or contributing to social causes. Ergo, we should come to peace with the notion that success is subjective and should be defined on your own terms. Whether it's starting a business, pursuing higher education, or working in a field that they are passionate about, success should be about personal fulfilment rather than societal validation.
Then what should we do? Should we stop everything altogether? No. Instead of chasing an unattainable ideal, we should focus on finding work that is meaningful, fulfilling, and aligned with our values. The key is to remain adaptable and resilient. In a world where industries are rapidly evolving, the ability to pivot and learn new skills is invaluable. Perpetual learning and professional self-development are crucial for staying relevant and competitive. It is important to remember that every job, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can be a stepping stone towards a larger goal. Embrace the imperfections, the challenges, and the setbacks, for they are all part of the journey. Remember, even Harry Potter had to deal with Dolores Umbridge before he could defeat Voldemort. The road to career satisfaction is rarely straightforward, but it is the twists and turns that make it interesting. Whether you are a Millennial navigating the corporate world or a Gen Z exploring the gig economy, remember, life is too short to spend it chasing unicorns.
The writer is an engineer turned finance enthusiast, trying to drink gulps from the immensely stimulating ocean of finance/economics and move to greener pastures to shift from his regular job in the capital market. Tell him how he can do that at galibnakibrahman@gmail.com