Because you can, it doesn’t mean you should
I’ve been reflecting on this for a while and thought it may be useful to share some ideas based on my own experience.
When I was working as a medical researcher in neuroscience, I came across many students who enrolled in a Ph.D. I had the opportunity and pleasure to mentor some of them for many years. Interacting with students, I discovered that a vast majority found themselves doing a Ph.D. because they “could”. They had the grades to do a Ph.D. and so it was the logical next thing to do. It seemed a no-brainer…
After many years of research, I realised that doing something because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Choosing your career is not about settling for the “default option”. It’s not about the obvious choice, but rather asking yourself: “What would I absolutely love to do?”
In the case of a Ph.D., having the grades required is not enough to engage and commit for the long run… You’re in for at least 4 years of really hard work. Sure, your mentor/adviser is there to guide you, but in the end, it’s really up to you. You’re in it on your own.
The most difficult part is not carrying the research (although sometimes I admit it’s a real headache). It’s the struggle to publish with ever-increasing expectations from scientific journals. It’s the peer pressure to “publish or perish”. It’s the constant rejection when you submit a manuscript for publication. This is what a Ph.D. is really about! And that is why many students struggle to complete their Ph.D. and drop out along the way…
No matter how good you are at something before you embark on a long journey, something else is required – a strong WHY.
I went into medical research because from a very young age, I had a fascination with “Life” and living things, big or small. I wanted to figure out how this “living stuff” works. My parents gave me a microscope when I was 8 years old, so I could study dirt, bugs, and creepy crawlies roaming in the backyard. Exploring “Life” has been a calling for me since very early on. Medical research has been my path for 20 years until the day came for me to pull the plug.
That seems odd given what I just said…
It was not an easy choice for me to let it go… 20 years in this “prestigious” field.
Why quit?
Mainly two reasons:
- First, the evolution of academic research towards a non-sustainable and constricted system. The process of doing research lost its meaning, and I couldn’t connect with it anymore… I lost faith in the “system”. I felt more and more restricted by the imposition of rigid structures on researchers. (While some structure is necessary, too much structure is what kills the researcher’s soul). I didn’t lose my inspiration for research. I lost my enthusiasm and drive in carrying academic research.
- Second, I realised that “my form” of inquiry into “Life” transcended the academic settings. To stay true to myself, I had to exit a system that was no longer a fit to me.
There comes a point in life when we realise that we’ve transitioned from “ambition” to “meaning” regardless of the field we’ve been operating in. It’s not about peer success anymore… It’s not about the status… It’s not about social recognition… You have all these. And you are successful by these metrics. It’s about authenticity. It’s about LEGACY.
It was not easy to step out of the academic establishment and go on my own… But it was a necessary step to stay true to myself and not be limited by external circumstances. It took some courage to go into the unknown and re-invent myself.
By now you may be asking yourself…. OK, but why is this relevant to me?
You may have started your career and taken on a particular role because you “could”. Maybe because it was the “trendy job” at that time… Maybe it was the “prestigious job” to do according to society… Or perhaps because someone told that you’re good at this, and that’s what you should do… Or because you thought this is a good nice and easy job.
And now, many years later… You may be reaching a point in life where you are accomplished. You have professional success. You are recognised by your peers, but there is still something missing…
You find yourself asking:
- Is that it?
- Is there more to me?
- What’s next for me?
- What is my legacy?
Deep down, you know you can BE more. You can CONTRIBUTE more. You yearn to leave your LEGACY.
A new door is waiting for you. A door to greater fulfilment, more meaning, and contribution. It may be time to close the door of “ambition” and open the door of “meaning”. A door to YOUR LEGACY is waiting anticipating…
It’s never too late to make YOUR move. YOU CAN if you really want to…
When the WHY is big enough, the HOW takes care of itself.
Dare to be the full expression of who you are! You only live once!
In Nutshell:
Trust in yourself and your gift. Pay attention to the signs life gives you, so you don’t let outside circumstances define who you are. The more in tune you are with your genius, the more clarity and certainty you’ll have on the best course of action to take to realise your potential.
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