Dream Job or Self-Worth: Which One Matters More?

In today's day and Shark-tank age, it may seem easy to become an entrepreneur, but unless you have strong financial and resource support, it's far from the truth. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to put in the hard work required to make a fortune, especially females from the Baby Boomer era who still seem content with leading lives of compromise with their male partners.

For millennials, it's a time of transition where housewives have transformed into homemakers, but with a subtle loss of identity. There's nothing wrong with it if they're okay with it, but as females, we need to prioritize our lives and recognize that "financial freedom" is vital. Achieving this freedom requires many sacrifices else we may have to live on the terms and conditions of our parents or spouses.

Let me share the story of a millennial girl who completed her MBA without worrying about placement because she didn't value money as much as she should have. As soon as she graduated, her parents started sharing a marriage proposal. At 25 years old, her career wasn't her priority, so her parents had some control over her, and she accepted the proposal. After four years of marriage, she realized that she couldn't merely be the wife of an average-looking husband who was chosen for his package. If she had children, she'd be entirely in an identity crisis.

?After an abusive marriage, she decided to separate without any alimony; all she wanted was peace. Neither of her parents supported legal proceedings, and they settled for mutual divorce. By the time she was in her early 30s, she realized the importance of her identity and how money matters in all aspects of life, be it family, friends, or the professional sphere.

?Since she wasn't focused on her career, she didn't land high-paying jobs and had to pick whatever she could. With an initial struggle, she started her online business with minimal support and ran it for a few years before realizing it was not sustainable.

Her priority was to become independent and land a decent job that could pay her well. She upskilled herself, and her CTC was decent to begin the second inning after an entrepreneurial stint. She always had this dream of landing in a Fortune 500 firm with a decent package. She may not have consciously manifested it, but it was in the back of her mind. It seemed like an unachievable goal as she wasn't focused on her career early on.

However, manifestation has its way of making things happen, and miracles happen. In 2020, the unforgettable COVID pandemic arrived, and while nobody wanted it, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for some, including this female. As resources were scarce in companies, she made her way to one of the reputed IT firms where she aspired and got a decent package. After working there for some time, she got an offer from one of her dream companies with a good hike.

?Now her focus was to stabilize there as she had never been in such a big company with a handsome CTC. In the process, she realized that she was losing her worth and ignoring her personal life just to prove herself.

Recently, I spoke to her after years to congratulate her on how she transitioned and landed where she wanted. I was impressed and astonished to hear that she realized that it's not the dream job that matters the most, but your branding, as it's above any big name. She now aspires to build her wealth and ensure she's not undervalued. Her determination is admirable, and I wish her all the best for the year 2024.

What's your take on the importance of a dream job versus personal branding? Share your thoughts in the comments.