Best Job Fantasy

The question that has been haunting me for the past few days now

“What is the best job in the world?”

Well, in all honesty, it’s been more than a few days now maybe months. But the frequency at which it pops into my head has been drastically increasing the last few days.

Some would say being your own boss, or being a teacher, or a parent, or a missionary, or a social worker or a doctor – or maybe something much more profound, too profound that it hasn't crossed my mind yet. Darn! I wish I knew.

I started working 2 years and three months ago. Ever since, people have been asking me about my job, if I enjoy doing it? Do I see a future in it? And the likes of it. Most of the time I’m diplomatic about it and give vague answers – neither out of politeness nor diplomacy, but mainly because I myself have no idea and I never really thought about it either. But then there are those genuinely horrific days where I proclaim to the world or to anyone around how much I hate my job, without even being asked. But then with the dawn of the next working day, most days I rediscover my gratitude to even have a job in the first place.

I work in a telecom industry – one of the fastest growing industries in the country, where competition is beyond cut-throat. And luckily enough, I have been in every vertical of the company so, as much as I hate to, I think I know enough how the world works around here. The pay’s good, better than good actually and for that I am very grateful. And my current role gives me flexible working hours, no restriction to stay in office at scheduled hours and allows me to work from home on most days if preferred. But it has its cons too, which at this time I chose to not reiterate. Most people think I have the perfect job. Now that’s about my job.

Let’s move onto other people’s jobs. On paper, most of the people I graduated with seem to have it great, okay maybe for few, not so much. Some even moved abroad and get shitload of dollars beyond the amazing exposure they experience. Some haven’t really got around to finding a stable ground, but definitely not giving up yet. Some have given up on the competition and settled with a less hectic job even at the cost of compensation.

And then on a related but extremely distinct note, I look at my parents. I wonder if they have ever faced work related stress in their career – a stable and secure public sector job, good pay, fixed but extremely disused working hours. So every day they get home on time to share family dinners with luxurious free time to indulge in religious and social affairs. Society respects what they do. Most importantly, they seem happy.

So now, what should I do next? Am I happy with my job? As alluring as a public sector job seems in the eyes of most people I know, would I be able to thrive in a passive environment after being in an aggressive one for most of my adult life? Do I need assertive and hard-hitting job in order to stay challenged or am I deluding myself? So many questions! And not knowing what my ideal job isn't helping either.

I think it helps a lot if you love what you do. So maybe, if you love being around children and if passing on knowledge and wisdom is you thing, then you’re a teacher “Oh, YAY”! Or if you’re the perfect housekeeper, then it’s awesome you’re a stay home Mom. Likewise, if spreading gospel completes you and gives you a sense of accomplishment (and in my opinion, I think it should), then I couldn't be happier you’re a missionary. And the list goes on. But because these highly perceived professions are so prestigious, I think people should stay away from doing them out of obligation or compulsion. Without passion for the work that they do, these jobs not only drench the life out of them, but can have the most fatal consequences – physically, emotionally and spiritually to the people they offer their services to.

So I love travelling, I love having flexibility of working hours, I love being independent: financially and otherwise, I love changes, I love meeting people, I love fashion and luxury industries – So if you ever, as highly unlikely as it maybe – come across any job that encompasses all these attributes, please remember to ring me up and let me know that a “potential job for which I am probably not qualified” has just opened up, so that I could jump at it even if just to have it escape from my grasp.

Because maybe then I can say, I finally know the best job in the world.