Merdeka Day 2021 just passed.
It was a muted celebration this year. The past 17 months have probably been the toughest in our history as a nation. At the same time, we've had two changes of government in two years and there is a lot of anxiety and unease about what the future holds.
I know I am fatigued by both, the pandemic and our politicians.
It is easy to write a narrative about how hard it might be to even contemplate rejoicing about our independence. For many, especially the most displaced in our communities, these last two years have made life monumentally hard.
For those who have lost jobs, or have their careers teetering on the brink of collapse, naturally, it is hard to see light at the end of the tunnel.
You can be forgiven for thinking that there is a sense of forlorn abandonment.
But, at the end of the day, we must fight to survive! Yes, it is tough. And the uncertainties are there for all to see. If we allow ourselves to get beaten down too much, the climb up gets harder.
So, instead, we must find the courage to soldier on. And Merdeka Day is an auspicious day for mindset recalibration as a start point.
As a nation, we came together 64 years ago for our independence from the British. Our forefathers fought without bloodshed for our political, economic and social freedom.
The nation has worked hard and collectively for prosperity and harmony, in the face of our diversity.
Since our independence, the country has seen many glorious victories, peppered with some moments of regret. But the continued existence of this nation has only happened because generations of Malaysians have bought in to the idea of "being Malaysian".
When we go abroad, we refer to ourselves as "Malaysians" and not to the specific race we were born into. And, we beam with pride when anyone speaks highly of our rather modest Southeast Asian nation.
For example, whenever I visit my wife's home country, I behave like our ministry of foreign affairs has appointed me as an ambassador-at-large. I go around speaking and promoting our country. I ask random people to come and visit Malaysia.
Perhaps you too, are like me.
So, let's not forget our patriotism and national pride, even through our current troubles.
We all connect with the idea of Malaysia, and this has kept us going for the last six and half decades, even when we face adversities. Our goal of a unified nation with shared vision keeps us together.
Merdeka Day reminds us of this undeniable fact; this is our purpose as a country.
Similarly with your work, reconnect with your professional purpose, and redefine your goals. Then be passionate and make yourself accountable to your aims and objectives, in current times.
History shows many examples of people, communities, and countries that focused energy, effort, and grit in the direction of pursuing their passion. And this got them out of dilemmas and trouble.
Once you nail down your professional purpose, take the necessary steps to act on goals that are in keeping with this. You need to agree with yourself that you'll be prepared to do anything to secure your purpose.
Just as you created your life in the past, you can re-create it again with the purpose-drive of coming out intact after this crisis passes.
Alvin Toffler, the writer and futurist known for his discussions on modern technologies and the digital revolution, said the illiterates of the 21st century are not those who cannot read and write, but are those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
So, it becomes vital that you believe that you can relearn and make changes in your life. These last pandemic-stricken months have triggered and hastened a great deal of re-learning in all of us.
Accept that there may be gaps between where you are, and where you want to be, yet continue to strive to make changes by taking small steps towards your re-launch.
Make the transition from living your current, perhaps uncertainty-laden life to a much more purpose-fueled one. Just do not make unreasonable choices.
A few days ago, I interviewed a 23-year-old who wanted a consultant's compensation package. I was really taken by his self-confidence, poise and courage to even ask me that much.
I explained to him that it didn't seem rational for me to pay him what he asked with his inexperience. However, because he was reasonable, saw the merits of my argument, and displayed commendable maturity, I hired him, anyway.
We struck a deal that was palatable to both of us, in these tough times.
I remind all my coachees and trainees that life is more than just attaining an end-point. It is ultimately about living in alignment with your purpose, so that you become the best version of yourself, just like our nation Malaysia aspires to become.
Selamat Hari Merdeka, once again!
Shankar R. Santhiram is managing consultant and executive leadership coach at EQTD Consulting. He is also the author of the national bestseller "So, You Want To Get Promoted?"
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
