Our Outlook in Life

When I was young, I used to believe in fate - that fate has a hand in creating my destiny. I must have thought that our lives have already been pre-determined prior to our existence.

I grew up, only to learn that I was wrong. I can control my future, by grasping onto the opportunities that I find. Opportunities came my way and I held on to them; if they are worth pursuing, I would make efforts to explore those advantageous circumstances.

 

My current job is a positive example of an opportunity that I have seized. Fate did not land me this job; I found an advert in the newspapers before deciding that it was worth a try to make a career switch. 

As I progress in life, I found that there are better means than being on the lookout for opportunities. I try to make them instead. I have 2 personal examples to share: (i) I volunteered for the position of the President. Looking back on what my progress over the past 8 months, I saw the difference in me as I could speak with more confidence and inspiration over each progressive chapter meetings, and (ii) I volunteered to be in-house trainer to conduct workshops at my workplace. On both occasions, I created these opportunities, rather than wait for such possibilities.

Today, I like to urge all of you to use toastnasters as a platform to curb your fears of public speaking so that you can be a better and more confident person. I like to end by sharing this quote by Sir Francis Bacon - "a wise man will make more opportunities than he find."