In my country there's a saying that goes thus:
"Certificates shouldn't prevent you from learning a skill or handwork."
This was said several times especially during the period of the strike action by the infamous ASUU.
Students have been advised to learn skills or improve their talent because the country has put learning to a forced stop countless times. In this light, many have come to the conclusion that in my country now, certificates aren't enough to get one far in life; it must be backed up by a skill or talent and of course hard work.
There's a lot of skill acquisition centers nowadays and several talent hunt shows all to help the youth discover their talents and find where they fit in and the competition out there is pretty tight which just sums up to giving whatever you want to do your all because everyone is into the same thing these days and everyone is striving to be really good at it enough to make their mark and secure their career firmly in their chosen field.
Talent and hard work go together, there's no separating the two unless one doesn't want to really make use of the talent one has.
These days everyone is seen learning one skill or the other or honing skills they already have and it's really a good thing because it came as a result of the persistent strike action carried out almost annually by the universities due to one government laxity or the other.
The skills being taught everywhere around me is that of CODING and basically everything that has to do with computers and tech-related professions in general because it has a lot of benefits as companies employ even students without a university degree sometimes. I tried to learn how to code but I realized quite quickly that coding isn't for me, it made my eyes glaze over and my brain fuzzy.
Instead, I decided to hone the talent I have already, writing.
Writing is my talent and I am in the process of acquiring more skills but I want to build my talent first before diving into the computer world, plus I found that it works for me without making my brain fuzzy.
Without hard work, I believe one's talent has no definite use because to be really good at something one has to work hard before getting to the desired destination.
So far, working hard has been going well for me. Working hard on improving my talent (though sometimes it seems like I'm not getting anywhere), taking lessons from my mentor and corrections also from said mentor has been helping me improve greatly especially when I compare the past to the present.
It's a pretty great improvement.
After surviving a lot of problems and criticism I have come to realize that talent alone won't get me to where I really desire to be which means I must back it up with hard work, consistency and perseverance and sometimes it's a little bit difficult to persevere when too many things come up at the same time taking my mind away from building myself up and focusing on something different entirely.
That's where the art of discipline comes in. I don't need someone to tell me I'm not working hard enough or working hard at all because the results of my output is usually a wakeup call on its own. Somedays I get poor results especially when I thought I gave it my all but then it just means I didn't give all of it. As a result I strive to work hard to be better.
HOW HAS IT BEEN SO FAR?
It has been a ride so far and I still have a very long way to go and so much to learn. I'm practically still green though I'm eager and willing to learn more about the works and all.
It has been fun and enjoyable regardless of all the obstacles I face constantly that make me question if I made the right choice but when I sit back to think about it I realize I did make the right choice and I enjoy what I do because it makes me happy doing it.
That is a sure sign that you're doing something right at least.
I'm on a quest to find something I really enjoy doing and something I take pride in, I think I may have come across it in the past. I just have to remember what it was.
I'll enjoy the process of course, the process is one the things that brings about the pleasure in what one does.
if it makes you happy, then it's the right thing..
This is in response to the #HiveLearners weekly contest.
Thank you for reading!
