By: Mir Muzamil
(myemailid1126@gmail.com)
In a world where challenges often define our paths, the difference between success and stagnation lies in how we respond to adversity. The story of a jobless man who transformed his circumstances exemplifies this principle, demonstrating that true success is not about waiting for opportunities but about creating them.
The Journey from Rejection to Success
A jobless man once applied for the position of an office assistant at a prestigious firm. After a brief interview, the manager asked him to perform a simple task—clean the floor. The man completed the task efficiently, prompting the manager to say, “You are hired.”
Following this, the manager requested the man’s email address to send the necessary employment documents and onboarding details. However, the man responded, “I do not own a computer, nor do I have an email address.” The manager, surprised by this, regretfully informed him, “If you do not have an email, it means you do not exist in our system, and without existence, we cannot hire you.”
With a heavy heart, the man left the office, feeling dejected and hopeless. He had no clear direction, and only ten dollars in his pocket. Faced with uncertainty, he decided to use his last bit of money to buy a 10-kilogram crate of tomatoes from a nearby supermarket. He went door to door, selling the tomatoes, and within two hours, he had doubled his capital. Encouraged by this success, he repeated the process multiple times that day, ultimately earning sixty dollars before returning home.
Realizing the potential in this business, he began waking up early every morning, working tirelessly to expand his trade. With time, his income multiplied. He invested in a cart, then a truck, and eventually built an entire fleet of delivery vehicles.
Five years later, this once-jobless man had become one of the largest food retailers in the country. As he planned his family’s future, he decided to purchase life insurance. During the finalization of the policy, the insurance broker asked for his email address. When the man stated that he did not have one, the broker, astonished, said, “You don’t have an email, yet you have built a business empire. Can you imagine what you could have achieved if you had one?”
After thinking for a moment, the man smiled and replied, “An office assistant.”
The Lesson: Creating Opportunities Instead of Waiting for Them
The moral of this story is clear—success is not defined by circumstances but by how one responds to them. Today, unemployment rates are rising at an alarming pace, and many individuals find themselves caught in an endless cycle of job applications, long queues, and repeated rejections.
It has become common to believe that securing a job requires substantial bribes or political influence. If such assumptions hold true, then why do individuals continue to apply for jobs rather than seek alternative paths? Is it merely an attempt to test their fate? While corruption remains a harsh reality, the real question is: How long will people continue to rely solely on luck?
During a recent interview, I encountered candidates who had been unemployed for over three years. Instead of actively seeking ways to enhance their skills or explore different job markets, they were waiting for lucrative offers from well-established firms. Their approach reminded me of the powerful couplets from Allama Iqbal’s Baang-e-Dara:
“Thay Tou Aaba Woh Tumhare Hi, Magar Tum Kya Ho?
Hath Par Hath Dhare Muntazir-e-Farda Ho!”
(These were your great progenitors; You lack their brain and brawn;
You sit and wait in slothful ease for every morrow’s dawn.”)
Every passing second is an opportunity lost, yet many remain oblivious to it, whether consciously or unconsciously. The unwillingness to struggle, sacrifice, and step out of one’s comfort zone has become an obstacle to progress. Opportunities are abundant, but an individual’s failure to recognize them does not render them nonexistent.
Rethinking Employment and Entrepreneurship
Why has securing a government job become akin to winning a lottery? Why do individuals perceive private sector jobs as insecure? Is it truly a matter of job stability, or does it reflect an unwillingness to work with sincerity and dedication? What makes a government job more desirable than a private one?
There is a deeply ingrained belief in society that government jobs provide lifelong security, benefits, and stability, whereas private sector jobs are perceived as unpredictable and demanding. However, this perception undermines the true potential of entrepreneurship and innovation. Instead of chasing an elusive sense of security, why not invest in skill-building, creativity, and self-reliance?
As Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” The pursuit of a secure job often leads individuals to ignore their own potential and aspirations. Rather than seeking external validation or waiting for an opportunity to present itself, individuals should take control of their own futures.
History remembers those who dared to step outside conventional paths, those who innovated and contributed meaningfully to society. Will society remember individuals who merely waited for opportunities rather than creating them? What tangible contributions are being made toward personal growth, community development, and national progress?
As Henry Ford famously stated, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” This highlights the power of mindset. A job may provide sustenance, but an entrepreneurial spirit fosters independence, innovation, and impact.
A Call to Action: Be the Change
The time has come to shift the narrative. Instead of seeking help, individuals must strive to become providers. Instead of chasing jobs, they should aspire to create employment opportunities for others. Success demands persistence, effort, and a proactive mindset.
It is imperative to break free from the cycle of dependency and complacency. Those who truly possess talent and dedication will inevitably rise above challenges and secure their rightful place in society. The world does not need more passive job seekers—it needs proactive changemakers.
Rise up, take action, and begin searching for solutions to challenges rather than being consumed by them. The power to change one’s destiny lies within—embrace it, and the world will take notice.
