Jigsaws and reflections

 

There's something satisfying about completing projects.

Chioma and I had been working at a semi-complicated jigsaw puzzle for weeks now. It was equal parts frustrating and equal part exhilarating. Seeing the picture pieces coming together after weeks of daily attempts was immensely satisfying. It wasn't easy o. Sometimes I'd be absolutely convinced that there were missing pieces and other times, i'd be trying to force pieces into positions that were not their places...sigh... thank God it all worked out beautifully in the end.

I’m guessing this is how successful project managers feel after completing a project…okay…I know its definitely not the same thing, but it was still a very nice feeling.

Got me thinking about some unfinished projects in my life. I, for one, have been guilty of this at various points in my life and with hindsight now, there’s a little regret that creeps in now and then at the thought of how putting in a little more effort into projects I was doing or taking different decisions might have turned out maybe with better outcomes.

Even though I’m relatively satisfied with how everything’s turned out so far, there’s also this nagging thought that the trajectory of my life would have been different if other courses of action were taken in my early education and professional life. Like the Jigsaw, were there missing pieces from choices I made or was I trying to force-fit pieces of my life into places that were not meant for them?? I’m guessing this is the same for most humans on Earth, but it tends to keep you up and wondering when you have a chance to reminisce about it all.

Would things have been different if I had stuck with and kept trying out the CISA exam I took back then in Visafone? Would it have made any difference to my career if I had put more effort into completing that doomed Master's degree program at Unilag? Is there a possibility that things would have been massively different if I had gone the I.T way from my scholarship at NIIT way back in those days in Calabar? Was Banking and Finance actually the right course of study at university? Why Science instead of Arts/humanities class back then at FEDI Enugu?

hmmm questions, questions, questions…. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

All in all, even though there were a lot of external factors, totally out of my control, that affected some of these events, I don’t think I’d be human if these thoughts didn’t creep up occasionally. If there's anything life’s taught me though, it’s to be more strategic in certain choices and decisions and to always stick to what’s important, and try my darndest to ensure completion.

See ba, If there’s any advice I’d give now to my younger self?

I think it's very important to make efforts into acknowledging your weaknesses early in life and start course correcting in time. Be insanely strategic, think long, deep, and hard at major life decisions, no matter how early or young you are, engage with mentors and older people (intelligent ones o) more often, quit procrastinating, and work really hard at projects you embark on.

 Most times, we don’t realize the long-term impact of decisions till it’s too late to do anything about them and unfortunately, most times, hindsight really takes the piss at us when we engage.

Truth is, we were already at a disadvantage based on our country of origin…. There's no need giving yourself more work to do in becoming successful at this thing called life by not making the right moves and plans at the right times.

All these from a fucking jigsaw puzzle right?  😂😂