How to make it in this rat race?

Living in such a fast paced world as we are in today, it makes one wonder at times “what is a normal life?” If we were all psychic, I bet that we would be able to see bubbles popping out of random peoples heads as if in cartoons and each bubble would be complaining about their lives. “I hate my job” “I want to lead a normal life” “When will it get better”
People on the street are not going to admit it of course but it’s a fact. Almost every average person out there is unhappy with their lives. I do not pretend to be perfect of course, I too wish to lead a “normal” life, but what is the meaning of “normal”. What constitutes a “normal” life? Does it mean working a desk job from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., leaving the office on time daily, going home, spending time with the family, watching television and going to bed by 11 p.m.
In reality, that would be picture perfect – 9 to 5 jobs almost don’t exist anymore, even if it does, it would mean no room for career growth. You’d probably sit at that same desk for 20 years; the only difference would be your physical appearance, age, marital status maybe but not your job title.
It is indeed a rat race we are faced with, day after day, year after year. More and more competition is arising from different fields of work. You need to have the “x” factor that every employee is looking for. Scoring straight A’s and being on the Dean’s list is no longer the “x” factor. It is the ability to be a balanced individual. Being an “A” Star student and also having a social life.
Being a former student myself, I used to think that scoring all the A’s in the world would be appealing to a perspective employer. As a student, we also feel that college or university prepares us for the working world – wrong again! Education gives us the basics, the theories and the building blocks. At the end ofhe the day, it is up to us to use it all to our advantage. No two people are alike therefore each persons building blocks would differ from the next person. Therefore, it us up to the individual to make the best out of his / her basics in order to make it in the real world.
The real world here meaning where one needs to put in effort to to be noticed. Effort meaning actual hard work in which certain sacrifices need to be made. Learning is a never ending process. We should never be shy or intimidates to ask when unsure, because pretending to know something only leaves you on the loosing end.
Usually, working with the best pushes you to the next level. Yes, it does make you feel challenged that you are not measuring up, but how else to "make it" if you do not have a motivating factor that forces you to take that leap and put in the extra effort to make it.
So, how do we make it in this rat race? I do not have the answer, obviously. But, for now I am content with making the best of all opportunities at hand to get ahead of the race.

PR is not all about "parties" or "events"

Once again I emphasize how fantastic it is to be HOME! It's a public holiday today and I did absolutely nothing all day! The change seems to be doing me a lot of good. Nevertheless, work is extremely challenging. I do feel the pressure pretty often these days and I hope soon I will be able to meet expectations and later on, exceed it.
Most people seems to misunderstand the concept of Public Relations. It isn't "organising parties" or "events" as some people would think. It's a lot more than that. Not only do you need a creative mind, but a flair for writing is necessary as well. There are times when you need to jive it tecnicalities of a certain concept into a news piece which will catch the attention of a news editor. You need to dazzle the client with brand new ideas of giving the company its share of voice in the media. That is just one part of it.
I find all this really fascinating. It's like I need to push my thoughts all the time. Sometimes, I tend to think overtime of things that don't matter (or not as important) but at work, thinking overtime, I would say is good. Because, when you are presenting an idea to a client, how do you ensure that it is fool proof? By thinking in every angle of course.
So, in the mean time, I am still playing catch-up with my other colleagues but I am determined to make it in the industry.
Cheers!

No longer lifeless

My last post dated 2nd April had me whining about how tired I was at Genting. What with the sleepless nights and eating problems, who wouldnt whine after being on their feet all day. Well, it's been almost three weeks since then, and so much has happened!
Firstly, I am no longer Gentings! Somehow I think my true calling lies in the Public Relations line. Last Monday, I started a brand spanking new job at Weber Shandwick, a PR firm in Jalan Sultan Ismail. So far it has been 1 1/2 weeks, and it feels good to be back in KL and into the PR scene once again. I must admit, my pick-up at work is not up to speed yet, but i am working on it.
Secondly, those ghastly dark circles from under my eyes are gradually fading! Which also means I hardly have trouble sleeping at night these days..I dont take hours to go to sleep anymore..awesome i tell u!
Anyways, I am glad to be HOME! Although life isn't peachy, with the traveling to work and all, but nothing is perfect. We loose some and gain some...
However, I do miss my pals up at Gentings! Very much indeed...sigh! Without them I wouldn't have survived. They are really fantastic people who can really make you laugh. So yea, that is the loosing bit...nevertheless friendship never ends..
I am also no longer lifeless as I work 5 days a week like a proper human being - and i get weekends to myself :) Things are looking up!

Exhausted!

I am an insanely exhausted person right now! It's precisely 1.24 a.m. and I am still not asleep, and am actually typing a blog entry. I've been on my feet since 6 p.m. so just imagine how I feel right now! As if i am about to fall to pieces at any given time..sigh! Reason being, I was helping out as an usherer for VIPs at the Zee Cine Awards, held today. No i did not meet any celebrities - did catch a glimpse of a few of them though. My parents are at the celebration party right now with all the celeb's. Sigh! Well they deserve it - they got complimentary tickets.
Anways before i begin blabbing nonsense - I am signing off.