Ten years to start with ...

I started my work life ten years ago, on March 23 1998. It's so much like the literal blink of an eye ! Without much drama, the first decade of working has passed me by.

I must say that if you've told me ten years back I'll be doing what I do now, I'll probably laugh at your face and tell you to pull the other leg too. No way I'd think I'll be doing this. I wouldn't have believed I'd be even in this line I'm in !!!

Not bad for ten years of working - it's afforded me down payment for my current house, it's given me my current car, it's helped my parents live a more stable life, it's seen me traveling all over the globe and it's helped put some sense into my head.

I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been given, I will continue to work hard so that I can get lucky. And when luck comes my way, I'll work even harder to make the best of it. I have been taught early on in my work life by some very good friends of mine that you create luck by working hard - and your reward for luck is hard work.

As I write this, I am humbled by the experience of work, but at the same time thankful for what it has provided me with. There are plenty of ups, and equally as many downs. Sometimes, it feels like a major grind when the only constant in your entire work life is hard work. However, whenever I step back to assess what little I've been able to achieve, I think I stand before you a better person now than ten years past - and that's all that matters.

Nowadays, we young turks (I hope no one takes offense that I'm calling myself a young turk still) get so much opportunities, it'll be a crying shame if we don't embrace it and use them for personal advancement. To my bosses, past and present, I want to thank you all for your patience and kind coaching. Each of you have left in me some lessons that will stay with me for a long time yet.

Ten years is a long time, ten years is a short time. Ten years is but a blink, ten years is an eternity. Ten years is past, I hope for a better next ten years.

And now ... to the next goal

March is the month I started to work. About 9 years ago, in late March, I took on my first job.

So many goals, expectations, hopes and wishes all rolled into my working life.

This month, I unexpectedly received some great news. About work.

When I was a young Moz, mum used to tell me that I should study hard. Once I have finished my studies, I would be able to chase my dreams. Make true what I wanted. What do you want, she always asked.

Being a young and naive Moz, I never knew the true meaning of money. Or how hard it is to earn. I just know that we never had enough. We weren't very well to do at all, you see. So, I always gave her the same answer: I want to make lots of money. I will earn so-and-so amount every month.

Ever the patient and loving mother, she would always smile at that answer. I'm not sure now if she was smiling because she thought I was naive, or whether she thought it was impossible.

Well, mum. I made that dream come true. The great news I told you folks earlier, that's me being informed I'm making so-and-so amount every month now.

I've never told anyone this, so I don't know why I'm telling the whole world now - I've never forgotten that goal, that dream. While I didn't mean it when I blurted it out as a child, I did make it a goal when I came out to work.

There wasn't any timelines. There wasn't any pressure. It was always meant to be a goal just beyond reach so that I'd always be chasing something. It keeps me alive that way. It keeps me hungry for more.

Granted, money doesn't buy happiness, but I'm pretty happy I'm here now. I have been so fortunate. I am so fortunate. I wonder why I even blurted out that it sucks to be me. It doesn't. I'm not the wealthiest person in the world, or even in my neighbourhood, but I'm not the poorest either. And even when if one day, all my material possessions are gone, I'd have my family's love. That means I'll never be poor. The love from my family is all that I need.

One other thing I've been taught when I was just a junior Moz: you never stop setting goals. Every mountain you've conquered just means there's another mountain, another valley, another river or ocean you have to conquer after that. Life is meant to be like that. There are no shortcuts.

I'm now setting myself another goal. I need it to keep myself alive and hungry. I hope somewhere in my lifetime, I'll so to it that I can reach this goal, so that I can set another. And this goal has nothing to do with money. It's all about family.

I love you, mum. I love you, dad. Because of both your unwavering support and understanding, it had been possible for me to get here. Now, sit back and enjoy life, while I get about to my next goal.