"أكبر خطأ يمكنك ارتكابه هو الاعتقاد أنك تعمل من أجل شخص آخر"

Believing that you’re working for someone else is a huge mistake. Here’s why. At first glance, it seems like most of us have bosses or supervisors we report to, right? But the deeper truth is, you’re always working for yourself. It’s your skills, your reputation, and your career on the line.

This idea really took shape around the 20th century when jobs became more corporate and less personal. Back in the day, people knew their work directly impacted their lives—think farmers or blacksmiths. But as more people started working for large companies, it became easy to forget that you’re still in the driver’s seat of your own career.

Imagine Jane, a graphic designer at a marketing firm. She could see her job as just doing what her boss tells her. Or, she could approach every project as a chance to improve her skills, build her portfolio, and enhance her reputation. The latter mindset means that every piece of work she does isn’t just for her boss—it’s an investment in herself. One day, this portfolio might help her land her dream job or even start her own business.

So how do you apply this wisdom? First, take ownership of your work. See every task as an opportunity to showcase your talents. Second, continuously learn and improve. Don’t just wait for training programs or promotions—actively seek out new skills and knowledge. Third, build relationships and a network that supports your growth. These connections can open doors you never imagined.

Let’s think about a relatable scenario. Picture Tom, a software engineer. He’s got a decent job, but he sometimes feels stuck. His projects are fine, but he’s not excited about them. Now, if Tom sees himself as working for his boss, he might just do the bare minimum. But if he flips the switch and realizes he’s working for his own future, everything changes. Tom starts taking on extra responsibilities, learning new coding languages, and collaborating more with his teammates. Over time, he not only becomes more valuable to his current employer but also builds a killer resume that can take him anywhere.

This concept boils down to taking control of your own narrative. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re just a cog in the machine, but you’re not. You’re the architect of your own career. Every job, every project, every task—these are all stepping stones to where you want to go.

So next time you’re feeling uninspired at work, remember Jane and Tom. They didn’t wait for someone else to give them purpose. They understood that ultimately, they were working for themselves. Approach your work with the same mindset, and you’ll find that not only does your job performance improve, but so does your overall career satisfaction.