Are you a clock-watcher?

The CEO of Andy Roddick Foundation, Mr. Richard Tagle, talked about his work with the Austin-based Non-Profit Organization. I was inspired of what they do and how they are changing the life of every child by supporting and providing them with opportunities. What struck me the most though is the part of question and answer where he was asked about his non-negotiables. He said that his work has to drive his passion. This made me question myself. What are my non-negotiables?

For almost 4 years that I am working at the same company, I’m starting to hate my job. Don’t get me wrong, I have a good job. It pays well, maybe even more than other companies. Yet, every single day I wake up, I dreaded going to work. When I am already at work, I always ask why the clock seems to be moving too slow.

I know most of us hate our career and maybe we are only doing our job for the money. I, for one, am one of those people who just drag herself to work and try to get through every single day. I’m even known to be the clock-watcher who counts down the time and clocks out as soon as 5 p.m. strikes.

For most of us, no matter how much we wanted to quit, we have no courage to do so because our job is what supports our family; it is our bread and butter. It could be easy for other people to say, “Pursue your passion. If you love your work, you won’t feel like you’re working at all.” In reality though, pursuing a passion is terrifying and will not provide enough. Some may even say it is worse than being in a job they hate.

For people like me who feel stuck in a dreadful job, or feel unfulfilled, disconnected, and want to escape a dead-end job, I did these two simple things to help me in finding a career I love:

 

1.     Think about your true passion

I listed down all the things I want to become when I was a child. I also included the things that gives spark to my life. I thought of myself. What skills do I want to use and what skills am I good at? I tried to do what’s on my list and tried to find a crossover. Since there is a pandemic and I can’t try everything, I started with the simplest things. I used to dream of becoming a chef, then I tried cooking for my family. I hated it and I realized it’s not my passion anymore. So that’s crossed off my list. I am always fascinated with meeting different nationalities and learning different cultures from traveling. Since I can’t do that, I tried studying languages online. I loved it. Maybe soon enough, I will be the one teaching languages to other people, and I will do it with passion.

Find what gives meaning to your life, even if the job doesn’t exist yet. The career you want may not be existing today but who knows, you might be the one to start it. Think of the influencers we have now.

 

2.     Write your keep-list and drop-list.

I thought of what I can do to pursue my passion without ever going broke. I wrote the things that will make me closer to achieving my goal as well as the things I need to stop doing. For someone like me who is single and does not have any dependents, my drop-list include the latest gadget, the trendiest clothes and whatever is on sale. I wrote that I need to drop these things for me to save because once I am able to save enough, I can quit my job and pursue my passion. I won’t be scared that I won’t have money to pay the bills or fill my stomach. For other people, their drop-list may also include watching Netflix and scrolling through social media. Instead of wasting time online, use the time to watch inspiring videos or listen to podcasts. This is a keep-list. Inspirational videos will not only motivate us to pursue our passion but also help us become an expert on the field we want to pursue.

I know not everyone can do these. For those who are breadwinners of the family or those who have kids to take care of, there’s still a chance to write a keep-list and drop-list. Some may say that they’re too busy that they don’t have time, but I think doing what gives meaning to your life, even just for the weekends will make a difference.

Sometimes you may feel like you are like a hamster in a wheel, constantly running without getting anywhere. I feel that too, but I realized I need to take time to stop, look around, and think of what I love. Yes, turning your passion into a paycheck is difficult but if it’s really your passion, you won’t feel like it is a hard work and instead you will be motivated to do it.

 

EQ vs. IQ

 

Which is more important? Is it the intelligence quotient or the emotional quotient?

IQ as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the proficiency in or knowledge of a specified subject, whereas EQ is defined by Harvard Business School as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. In simple terms, I would like to define IQ as book smart and EQ as street smart. 

My takeaway from Mr. Calixto Chikiamco, founder and CEO of MRM Studios Inc., is that EQ is more important than IQ. In fact, EQ is worth twice as much as IQ and technical skills combined when it comes to business and hiring people. 

To run a successful business, it is not enough that you offer good products and services. You also need to build and maintain a good relationship with your clients. Business is all about relationships and it is critical that employees working for you have the ability to build rapport and manage interpersonal relationships easily. People who can communicate and manage relationship effectively are those with high emotional intelligence. They are the reason behind every business’ growth.

I believe in the saying “Employees make or break the business”. Employees are the core of every successful business. Some may say that the profit of a business comes from the customers, but it also depends on the productivity of the employees. Therefore, it is important that businesses hire candidates with high EQ as they will not only thrive in the workplace but also promote a positive workplace culture. People with high EQ can drive high performance and stay calm under pressure. Besides, an emotionally intelligent employee can become better at a lot of things. He will strive for continuous improvement to stay on top and therefore can outperform smart people. Moreover, people with high IQs don’t necessarily make great employees because they can’t handle failure effectively. Conversely, those with high EQs can easily recover from setbacks. They can be resilient and can manage anxiety, stress, anger, and fear in pursuit of a goal. Furthermore, they have a deeper level of empathy and therefore can be more responsive in a less reactive behavior. They are positive and motivated people who do not become defensive when criticized and instead utilize criticism and other feedback for growth which will allow the business to grow bigger. This is why recruiters usually asks applicants with situational interview questions instead of technical questions to determine how they can maturely reveal their emotions. It only goes to show that EQ is a much more powerful indicator of success than IQ.

I used to think that obtaining the highest degree of education is the key to success. However, after hearing the guest speaker, I realized that being book smart does not equal to success. I realized that in order to attain your goals and be successful in life, you should also be emotionally intelligent. Having a high EQ means you have a healthy sense of self- awareness and you can understand your own strengths and weaknesses. If you recognize yourself, you know how your behavior will affect not only your performance but those around you.