Before I started my current job, I was a property agent.
I was recruited by a good friend, lured by the possibility of high commission, and thence a comfortable life.
Embarrassing to say, I wasn't a good salesperson. I was lousy at promoting my service. I didn't like pandering to the seller's whim. I had trouble coaxing buyers to sign on the dotted line. I was spouting words that I didn't like to hear myself.
As a result, I had challenges getting deals, let alone closing them. While I secured the occasional rental agreement, the paltry commission only lasted for a while. The dream of a fabulous income did not materialise. Soon, I was literally eating and surviving on my dwindling savings.
I knew the money would not last. But it never occurred to me that I would hit rock bottom with a bang.
Until that day, when I did.
I will always remember that day. It was noon time. I was heading home onboard a feeder bus. In my mind, I was contemplating what I could have for lunch on a meagre $2.50 budget.
As the bus was making a right turn, that was the moment it struck me. I realised I had fallen to such a pathetic state, having to think so hard about my next meal. With less than $50 in my account, I had to stretch my every dollar. Tears welled up in my eyes.
I hadn't dared to speak to my parents about my dire situation, for fear of causing them worry. Pride also stopped me from asking my friends for a loan. I have hardly anything valuable to pawn. And I know getting credit from a moneylender will pull me deeper into the abyss with its exorbitant interest rate.
That marked the lowest point in my finance, my dignity and my life.
I made a fateful decision that day. Enough is enough. I vowed NOT to allow myself experience this horrible feeling again. I severed my last lingering hope of striking it big in property. I refreshed my outdated resume and began blasting it to multiple companies as well as recruiters. Humiliated as I was, it was time to call it quits and start finding a salaried job.
A headhunter phoned and informed me of an opportunity at a global MNC. The private firm was recruiting candidates en masse to provide real-time analytical support to their growing clientele. I applied for the role. After three rounds of elimination interview, I got in, together with a bunch of university graduates much younger than me.
I had newfound determination to succeed at this job. I worked harder and smarter than my peers. I made it a point that my contributions were visible to the higher ups. If the clients had a good word for me, I made sure my boss heard about it. If there was blame, I apologised quickly and let the matter fade as soon as possible. I did my best not to burn bridges, nor step on other people's toes. I polished my listening and presentation skills. And I carefully honed subject matter expertise that was in short supply within the company, so that I could remain invaluable.
My team leader once told me that originally, my manager did not want to hire me. But the management decided to take a chance on me.
A chance that changed my entire life.
Even though my starting salary was unremarkable (as it was just after the Global Financial Crisis), my income grew exponentially year after year. From the misery of having to fret about my next meal, I managed to reach a comfortable level where I am today.
I attribute my success to that single lowest turning point in my life. I'm sure many folks have their own sob stories. I hope each person will be able to find the motivation and sheer drive needed to climb out of their personal sinkhole, and attain a level of financial stability previously unimaginable. Your pot of gold could just be at the end of another rainbow.
Do you still remember the lowest point in your (financial) life?
I was recruited by a good friend, lured by the possibility of high commission, and thence a comfortable life.
Embarrassing to say, I wasn't a good salesperson. I was lousy at promoting my service. I didn't like pandering to the seller's whim. I had trouble coaxing buyers to sign on the dotted line. I was spouting words that I didn't like to hear myself.
As a result, I had challenges getting deals, let alone closing them. While I secured the occasional rental agreement, the paltry commission only lasted for a while. The dream of a fabulous income did not materialise. Soon, I was literally eating and surviving on my dwindling savings.
I knew the money would not last. But it never occurred to me that I would hit rock bottom with a bang.
Until that day, when I did.
I will always remember that day. It was noon time. I was heading home onboard a feeder bus. In my mind, I was contemplating what I could have for lunch on a meagre $2.50 budget.
As the bus was making a right turn, that was the moment it struck me. I realised I had fallen to such a pathetic state, having to think so hard about my next meal. With less than $50 in my account, I had to stretch my every dollar. Tears welled up in my eyes.
I hadn't dared to speak to my parents about my dire situation, for fear of causing them worry. Pride also stopped me from asking my friends for a loan. I have hardly anything valuable to pawn. And I know getting credit from a moneylender will pull me deeper into the abyss with its exorbitant interest rate.
That marked the lowest point in my finance, my dignity and my life.
I made a fateful decision that day. Enough is enough. I vowed NOT to allow myself experience this horrible feeling again. I severed my last lingering hope of striking it big in property. I refreshed my outdated resume and began blasting it to multiple companies as well as recruiters. Humiliated as I was, it was time to call it quits and start finding a salaried job.
A headhunter phoned and informed me of an opportunity at a global MNC. The private firm was recruiting candidates en masse to provide real-time analytical support to their growing clientele. I applied for the role. After three rounds of elimination interview, I got in, together with a bunch of university graduates much younger than me.
I had newfound determination to succeed at this job. I worked harder and smarter than my peers. I made it a point that my contributions were visible to the higher ups. If the clients had a good word for me, I made sure my boss heard about it. If there was blame, I apologised quickly and let the matter fade as soon as possible. I did my best not to burn bridges, nor step on other people's toes. I polished my listening and presentation skills. And I carefully honed subject matter expertise that was in short supply within the company, so that I could remain invaluable.
My team leader once told me that originally, my manager did not want to hire me. But the management decided to take a chance on me.
A chance that changed my entire life.
Even though my starting salary was unremarkable (as it was just after the Global Financial Crisis), my income grew exponentially year after year. From the misery of having to fret about my next meal, I managed to reach a comfortable level where I am today.
I attribute my success to that single lowest turning point in my life. I'm sure many folks have their own sob stories. I hope each person will be able to find the motivation and sheer drive needed to climb out of their personal sinkhole, and attain a level of financial stability previously unimaginable. Your pot of gold could just be at the end of another rainbow.
Do you still remember the lowest point in your (financial) life?
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Dear SS, GOOD article! Triggers my own memories of the lowest point jn my financial life too! And reflects on the past pains/experience and cherish the current and seize the future! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteKC
Hello KC, glad to know. All the best in your endeavours!
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