So many people, when hearing I am a career coach, will stop, look at me, arch an eyebrow, and inadvertently let out a sigh, followed by … HELP! I hate my job. I have heard this so many times that my reply soon became a smile, followed by “Check out my TEDx Talk.” Oh, what is it called? “Help! I hate my job.” That would be my reply.
Why do so many of us hate our jobs? I think it is because we have lost our purpose and sense of meaning in the careers we find ourselves in. In going to work, we all seek to fulfil a goal to do work that gives us a sense of meaning. The lack of purpose often results in festering resentment, which then entrenches itself as disdain and, over time, blossoms into “hatred”.
To ensure that this downward spiral doesn’t get started, it is essential that we assess philosophies that can assist in avoiding this lack of meaning.
The first philosophy is African and was founded by none other than yours truly! It is known as the 4Bs. The first B is Buza, coming from the isiZulu word meaning ‘to ask’. It requires of a person to ask for assistance to get from where they are now, to where they want to be in their career. So, if you find yourself in a space in your work where you are growing frustrated and possibly disinterested, the first step is to buza; simply, ask. Ask a coach, a mentor, a colleague or someone who inspires you to give you direction to leave the mire you find yourself in now, towards finding purposeful work.
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The second B is Bona, meaning ‘to see’. To get to where you desire to be, you must see where you want to be in your mind’s eye. You must hold onto the vision for where you want to be, despite finding yourself where you hate to be. Your ability to visualise your career, helps you to align your goals with your energy. This helps you work towards your vision and make what lives and breathes in your imagination into reality.
The third B comes from Bantu, people of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is uBuntu. It comes from the concept that we are human because of others. My humanity is based on the idea that: “I am because you are”. This essence is what you must bring to your work: humanity and authentic self It allows you to connect with others. This connection forms the basis of community. The community acts as the support system, the counsellor and partner to you, as you work towards a fulfilling career.
The final B is my absolute favourite: Bhadalwa, meaning ‘get paid’! The act of work is the exchange of energy. You expend effort and time in exchange for money. How much that money is, is entirely up to you. You decide the value you will be remunerated for, come month-end. Make sure you get paid well. It has been said it is easier to cry in a BMW (even though I am a Mercedes girl!) than on a bicycle. This means even your dream job will require you to be paid for some of the not-so-easy aspects. So, make sure you get paid!
These 4Bs are one concept that comes from Africa, and halfway across the world in the Land of the Rising Sun, there is another kind of philosophy. Ikigai is a Japanese concept to describe the reason for one to be; the value of our existence; our purpose for being, and what makes living and work worthwhile. The Japanese believe that once a person find’s their ikigai, they find true happiness. The ikigai is a culmination of several factors. It is a sweet spot that consists of passion, mission, profession and vocation.
The combination of what you are good at, what the world needs, what you love, and what you get paid to do, can result in a mixture of passion; profession; vocation and mission. This culmination is known as ikigai. When one finds one’s ikigai, it is believed that one will find fulfilment, a sense of purpose, comfort, contentedness, exhilaration, delight and wealth.
Vumile Msweli is a career coach, TEDx speaker and founder of Hesed Consulting, a Pan-African coaching firm with presence in Botswana; South Africa; Rwanda; Nigeria and the United States of America. She has successfully led her teams globally remotely and been able to effectively adapt during these unprecedented times of the pandemic whilst growing the business. She holds an Accounting Sciences degree, Honours in Financial Planning, postgraduate from New York University, an MBA from the University of London, postgraduate at Harvard University and is currently studying for her doctorate in Switzerland. Her business accolades include being named Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans, CEO Magazine’s Pan-African Business Woman, and Brand South Africa’s “Play Your Part” Ambassador.
