Someone said: the only thing that remains unchanged is the change it self. Human it self, they are always craving for routine activity. Since we are baby, we are taught to have bed time, meal times, playing time and it gives us the feeling of security. We know what to expect and we know how to deal with it. Period. End of story.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t work out that way. In reality, life is full of changes and nothing can stop the world around you to change. Global recession to flat tire, they all add the excitement or (on the other side of the equation) the stress in our life. But they all are things that happened beyond our control. Well, unless if you are George Bush, of course. But in general, most of the changes happened in our life is either carefully planned or happened so suddenly so there’s nothing we could do to prevent it. We could only mitigate it.

Now what about changing something within your control purposely? Changing your life style, for example. From carefree and easygoing bachelor to committed partners? Sure, some people did that and they have succeeded. Living a committed life has also some of its advantage i.e. security and also fulfilling some of your emotional needs. Not to mention tax redemption and (in some part of the world) status.

But what about changing your job? A-ha! This is like asking the cat to fly or the bird to swim. Why people is so reluctant in changing their job. Job security is one thing. Developing career is another thing. I met people who change their job from engineer to accountant (but very seldom vice versa) or from human resources to procurement. Easy. Not a big deal. As long as you got your paycheck every month. But why, I found it many times that it is difficult for someone to give up the security of corporate life to the insecurity of being an entrepreneur. But isn’t that what makes life interesting? The uncertainty and knowing that your life is in your own hand (and not in your boss’s assessment on your performance appraisal). But you are not alone. When my husband decided to give up his corporate life to start our own small business, I also did feel jittery. Having lived in a corporate family where everybody got their job and steady income has made me a ‘coward’. But now, looking back over my shoulder, I am glad that we dared to make this decision. We know have more time to look after our family, house and we can develop our own company the way we want to. Of course, there are ups as well as down. There were times when we have to squeeze our selves to pay the bill. But altogether things that I was scared of never happen. We could still maintain our life style most of the time. My husband is a happier person. It’s really good to work on your own company and be your own boss. And who knows in the future we could open job opportunity for others?

So, anybody dare to change?

Are you one of the focused and determined persons who enter new year with new resolution? If so, did you manage to fulfill it? I managed to enter every new year with new resolution varied from loosing weight, learning to cook and learning to drive to no avail. By the end of the year I found my self still unable to do any of resolution I made in the beginning of the year. The reason varied from having no persistency, having no time, having no support from the family blah blah blah the excuse could go longer than Bush excuse over the Iraq war. Then, why bother? I therefore vowed to make no resolution at all for this year!

However, being a woman and thus I am entitled to change my mind every second I want, this year I am planning to stop my office work. Yup, being an office slave for the past 8 years made me tired of this corporate life. I am fully aware that my company has done a great job in creating a good working environment and endless intellectual challenge not to mention a good remuneration package. However, looking back over my shoulder I realized that I have done nothing much to develop my personal self. Yes I went to training company sent me, I ‘developed’ my self throughout the corporate ladder, I started with ‘A’ and now I am an ‘N’ but from another perspective my domestic skills are no better than a 5 years old. I can’t tell the different between spinach and salary, and I still have to count on my poor husband to take me around. I found it really irritating! I really think that I need a new challenge and I need a new set of jurors who will appraise my performance and these jurors will consist of my husband, my 2.5 years old son and my neighborhood (whether or not the smell of my badly burnt cooking will pollute the environment!)

A good friend of mine advised me not to stop working if my goal is only to learn how to cook and able to drive as these skills can be developed after hours. Nevertheless, the company provided me all the protection I need. But my reason was not only that, I am also grew wary of solving other people’s problem (hey that’s what I am paid for – understood.). I want to create my own problem (huh?) and able to solve it. I want to feel what most my home workers colleague feels, which are the uncertainty of coming income, managing my own time, create new jobs (instead of doing it) and above all, try not to get bored! You must think that I am pretty crazy to even consider that but I am not. I have seen my people successfully changing their direction and I want to be that kind of person.

An ex-boss of mine had done that. She gave up her corporate life when her second son is born. Knowing her as a smart and active woman, I found this hard to believe. But then she got involved in her kid’s school activities. She done a lot in organizing charity for the unfortunate children and yet, she has reached so many life beyond hers. And oh, she looked so much happier now. She told that although she felt a bit jittery at first when she decided to give up her secured life, but now she is happy to learn that she has done what seem to be the right thing for her and her family AND she seem to be able to contribute something to the community.

I am not trying to lure you in dramatically changing your life, really. But have you every thought that when you think everything is already enough actually you still could do more? Have you ever thought that what you think is best is actually nothing? We live only once, don’t you want to be daring and try another aspects of life? It could range from changing your job, changing your perspective or simply changing your ‘spectacles’. I believe this will enriched your life as well as others.

Happy New Year everybody.