Breaking Barriers: My Journey to Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs (Part 2)
Heads up! To get the full scoop on my story, you might want to check out Part 1 first (if you have not read). It covers Turning Points 1-3.
Turning Point 4: When a Miscalculation Led to Unexpected Success
As I neared the completion of my diploma program, I faced a common dilemma – what next? Should I pursue a degree or enter the workforce?
Social media bombarded me with messages about the importance of a degree, portraying it as a minimum job requirement.
Yet, there were also counterarguments suggesting success didn't hinge on a degree. Confused, I realized the truth depended on individual goals.
When I explored degree costs, a sticker shock hit me – it would cost around RM50k. I had three options:
By semester 5, I seriously considered options 1 and 3. Back then, my CGPA was only 3.43, and even with a perfect 4.0 GPA in the final semester, I wouldn't reach a 4.0 overall CGPA based on my calculations. (Fun fact: turns out I miscalculated! Keep reading to find out how it played out.)
Despite the financial burden on my parents, I yearned to stay in the same college. Feeling frustrated and lost, I remembered a book I'd been reading – "F.U. Money" by Dan Lok. I opened it to a passage that resonated deeply: "Wherever Your Attention Goes, Energy Flows and Results Show."
Dan also introduced the concept of D.I.G. in which he explained that failing to achieve daily financial goals would derail monthly goals, ultimately hindering your yearly goals.
While the book focused on financial goals, the concept resonated with me even in the context of personal goals. However, with a recent 3.67 GPA (which I believed was my best effort), I doubted achieving a higher score.
Recalculating my CGPA, I discovered that even with a perfect 4.0 GPA in the final semester, I'd only reach 3.49 – still below the 3.5 minimum scholarship requirement.
Faced with options 1 and 3 again, I naively hoped the college might offer a scholarship for a 3.49 CGPA, just 0.01 shy of the cut-off. But fueled by my desire to stay, I held onto hope for a miracle while logically searching for alternative scholarships or financial aid.
Undoubtedly, the final semester was the toughest, marked by the Final Year Project (FYP). I set high expectations and took the lead in multiple subjects.
Knowing my leadership style, I pushed myself to excel to avoid dragging my team down. Consequently, my own performance would indirectly benefit. Though calculations suggested I wouldn't surpass a 3.5 CGPA due to earlier semesters, I believed and hope putting in my best effort could secure alternative scholarships.
Looking back, the FYP workload was immense, with tight deadlines. Feedback came on Tuesdays, with revisions expected within two days, while juggling other assignments.
Thankfully, I had an amazing team. We spent countless nights discussing, planning, researching, and preparing proposals for employers. Sometimes, we worked until 4 am, still connected in online meetings.
As the leader, the late nights fueled my excitement because we were in this together. This experience taught me that assignments and projects are not just about grades; it's the learning and experiences gained during the process that matter most.
We all shared a common goal – to achieve an A in the subject, which the professor deemed highly challenging. And we did it! Exhausted but thrilled, this A, with its high credit hours, significantly boosted our overall CGPA.
Result day arrived. I received the email notification at home. Hesitantly, I debated opening the PDF file.
My friend texted, informing me the results were out. We were both nervous and decided to open them together. And then... boom! 3.92 GPA!
Disbelief washed over me. I double-checked the name – it was mine. Then came the CGPA – 3.54 CGPA. What?! I thought I could only reach 3.49 at most.
Before rechecking my calculations, I shared the news with my overjoyed parents and called my best friend. The memory of my parents' smiles and the peaceful sleep I had that night is vivid.
Later, revisiting my calculations, I discovered I had been mistaken. It was a mistake, but to me, it felt like a miracle. By choosing to believe and giving my all, I achieved something I thought was truly impossible
Lesson 4: "Never allow initial doubts of impossibility to hinder the unlocking of your true potential."
Turning Point 5: Discovering the Reality
Of course, after all these experiences, I finally grasped the importance of self-improvement. So, I dove headfirst into refining my personal qualities. My approach to studying and thinking underwent a complete transformation. There's a saying that goes:
This newfound resourcefulness propelled me forward in my quest for knowledge. However, this newfound confidence hit a wall during the second semester of my degree when internship applications became mandatory.
I had two top choices in mind, and I sent out applications with a hopeful heart. Weeks bled into a month, and radio silence persisted from the first company.
The second company, at least, offered the courtesy of a rejection letter, informing me that their internship slots for that month were already filled.
Honestly, as a student back then, these rejections stung. I genuinely believed that my lack of achievements and experience made me an undesirable candidate.
Suddenly, the relentless pursuit of good grades felt like a chase for a mirage. It felt like a betrayal – a lie exposed. Getting good grades, it seemed, didn't guarantee landing the job you desired.
Now, there was another factor at play. Due to the short nature of the semester, internships were capped at a maximum of 10 weeks. This, I realized, likely made companies hesitant to hire interns for such a limited timeframe, as their needs often skewed towards longer commitments (3-6 months).
But wallowing in disappointment wasn't an option. The rejections served as a wake-up call, urging me to actively work on boosting my employability.
Firstly, my portfolio, while existent, was woefully irrelevant. Targeting a digital marketing internship, it lacked any real-world examples – no personal blogs, no social media content samples, not even a single poster design to showcase my skills.
Secondly, my experience and skillset were bare-bones. Sure, I could proficiently use basic Microsoft Office programs like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel, and proudly list them on my resume. But so could countless other applicants. This realization hammered home the fact that I needed to stand out from the crowd.
Lesson 5: Academic success alone doesn't guarantee career opportunities; practical experience and adaptability are essential for achieving professional goals.
Turning Point 6: How I Graduated with One Year of Experience
So, I thought starting a freelance job could be the answer to both challenges I mentioned above. With that in mind, I set a goal to become a freelancer or find part-time work related to my studies.
Since I was about to begin an internship, I decided to target smaller companies or startups that might need additional staff. My priority was learning, not necessarily the pay. I knew that I would give my all to any company that offered me the chance to gain experience.
While the internship period itself was short, I was fortunate enough to assist in completing several projects the company had planned. The kind and generous boss saw my dedication and offered me the opportunity to stay on and help further.
Since this aligned perfectly with my desire to learn, I mentioned that I was also interested in marketing beyond just digital marketing.
As a result, I was able to participate in various marketing-related projects as well. This is how I managed to graduate with nearly a year of work experience and a portfolio showcasing multiple industry projects.
Lesson 6: I started this job without any specific skills, but skills can be acquired throughout the entire work process. In my opinion, attitude and mindset are what truly matter. Be humble, keep learning, and cheers to your success!
I believe that success is not instantaneous; rather, it's the culmination of numerous small steps that pave the way for significant accomplishments.
There was a period when I felt constrained, willing to accept any job, regardless of its nature. Yet, by establishing attainable objectives, I found myself unlocking a myriad of opportunities.
Don't let setbacks define your journey! As you saw in my story, unexpected turns can lead to incredible outcomes. Believe in yourself, embrace effort, and focus on learning throughout the process.
Again, always remember, even small steps can pave the way for big achievements. Keep pushing forward, and you might just surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!
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