Re-Inventing Your Career Path for the New Economy: The Power of Focus as a Pathway to Its Success (Nigeria as an Example)

Abstract

It would not be an over-statement to start this paper by claiming that the world we are living in, especially in the 21^st century is ruled, punctuated, and directed by the market economy. The globalised economy dictates the pace of almost everything, whether political, cultural, military, social, or even religious. The economically powerful make decisions on behalf of other members of the society, whether locally or internationally. As a result of this situation, it is not strange to observe so many seminars, conferences, lectures, etc emphasising the importance of the economy in our lives, either as a nation or as individuals. Above all, there is a strong tendency towards channelling a lot of energy towards making the development of the economy a career, in fact, a personal project. Thus, we hear about a career in politics; a teaching career; a career soldier; a career diplomat; etc. At the same time, we listen to people talking about their change of career, employment, etc. Indeed, we talk about career as entrepreneur, as a way of making money by starting or running businesses, especially when this involves taking financial risks. If one’s career is strongly connected to one’s happiness, then it needs to be continuously guarded, if not reinvented, especially if the existing situation calls for it.

The paper, therefore, wishes to discuss the need to re-invent one’s career path for the growth of the economy, if not to create a new and vibrant economy, especially from the point of view of developing one’s power of focus as a major strategy. In this paper, I like to communicate my understanding of how one can change one’s world through the dynamic alteration of one’s perception of one’s career, especially if it seems almost impossible, in order to achieve happiness. In doing so also, I will not claim to know all the answers. In other words, the paper is an impulse for further deliberation and collaboration for the re-energization of our economy through a radical approach to our various careers.

Keywords: economy, career, focus, success, transferable skills, Nigeria.