Spending My Time or Investing It? Harmonizing Roxette's Tune with Career Advancement

Last night, I walked by the lake, the sweet sounds of Roxette's "Spending My Time" from the 80s filled the air around me. If you haven't listened to it yet, I highly recommend it; it's a gem of its time. But as I walked, the song's title got me thinking deeply about something beyond the tune - how we spend our time, particularly when it comes to our careers.

There is a big difference between actively building a career and just spending time in a job. It's the difference between growth and stagnation, fulfillment and discontentment.

Building a career is like crafting a masterpiece (thats another awsome song by the way). It's an active, ongoing process of learning, growing, and evolving. Those who build their careers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve their skills, expand their knowledge, and take on new challenges. They understand that every job, every task, and every day is a stepping stone to something greater.

Building a career means setting clear goals and chasing them with passion. It's about understanding where you want to be and mapping out the steps to get there. It's acknowledging your strengths and working on your weaknesses. It's about networking, not just for the sake of adding contacts, but for building meaningful relationships that can open doors and provide learning opportunities.

On the other hand, just spending time in a career is a passive process. It's doing the bare minimum, watching the clock until the day ends, and waiting for the weekend. There's no real engagement with the work, no burning desire to improve or move forward. It's staying in the comfort zone, fearing change and shying away from challenges.

While it's comfortable for a while, over time, this approach leads to a feeling of emptiness and regret. Opportunities pass by unnoticed, and before you know it, years have gone by without any real progress or fulfillment.

Reflecting on the phrase "spending my time," it's not just about how much time you spend working but how you choose to spend that time. Are you investing in yourself and your future, or are you just passing the time?

To those who feel they're just passing time, it's never too late to start building. Begin by reflecting on your career goals. Where do you see yourself in five years? What skills do you need to get there? Start setting small, achievable goals and celebrating when you reach them. Seek feedback and learn from it. Embrace change and step out of your comfort zone.

For those already on the path to building their careers, keep the momentum going. Continue learning, growing, and challenging yourself. Mentor others and share your journey. Your actions might inspire someone else to move from just spending time to building a meaningful career

In the end, whether we're building a career or just spending time, the days will pass anyway. The question is, how do we want to look back on them? With a sense of achievement and a trail of accomplishments or with regrets and what-ifs?

So, as you go about your daily life, whether you're walking by a lake or sitting at your desk, remember the words of Roxette and ask yourself: am I just spending my time, or am I using it to build something worthwhile? The answer might just redefine your career and your life.

And here are the Songs: Spending my time & Masterpiece enjoy!

Yasser