As I sit here, replaying the interview in my mind, I can’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. The interviewer asked me some simple questions — “Why do you want to do this?” and “What is your intention?” — and I had no answers. I realized that I have no real direction in my life, no dreams or aspirations to guide me.
“ I’m just going through the motions ”
It’s a depressing realization, to say the least. I have worked in airport operations for three years, and I am currently pursuing MBA. I thought I had some sort of plan or purpose. But now I see that I’ve just been going through the motions, doing what I need to do to earn a living. I have no real passion for my work, no sense of fulfillment or meaning.
The interviewer saw through me, I think. He could sense that I was just going through the motions, that I had no real purpose. And it’s true — I don’t. I just want to work and earn a living and be done with it. But is that really enough?
The Sponge Analogy
During the interview, the interviewer asked me about my approach towards the internship. I replied that I was here to learn as much as possible. However, he wasn’t entirely satisfied with my response, and he used the sponge analogy to explain his point.
He told me that just going ahead with something with the purpose of “learning” is not enough. I needed to be intentional in my approach and be clear in what I wanted to achieve. He said that if I acted like a sponge and absorbed everything that came my way without any control, I would absorb the negativity around me and become someone who can be used and thrown away.
At first, I was a little taken aback by the analogy. But as he continued to explain his point, I realized that he was right. I needed to have a clear sense of purpose and direction for the internship. I couldn’t just passively absorb everything that came my way without any control or intention.
The sponge analogy made me realize that I needed to be more intentional about my approach to the internship. I needed to have a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve and how I could use the internship as a stepping stone towards my long-term goals. I couldn’t just rely on the fact that I was there to learn; I needed to be intentional in my learning and use it as a way to further my own personal and professional growth.
“It’s an office, and we know how to get the work done from people. But what is it that YOU will take away at the end of the internship period? Be clear about what you need from this”
The Pressure of Purpose
I can’t help but wonder if I’m missing out on something, if there’s more to life than just going through the motions. But at the same time, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the idea of finding my purpose. It seems like such a daunting task, and I don’t even know where to begin.
So, is it really necessary to always find your purpose? I don’t know. Maybe for some people, it is. Maybe they need that sense of direction and fulfillment to feel happy and fulfilled. But for me, I don’t know if it’s possible. Maybe I just need to focus on finding small moments of joy and fulfillment in my work, even if it’s not my true passion. Maybe that’s enough for now.
As I leave the interview and head back. I’m left with a sense of uncertainty and unease. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s okay not to have all the answers right now. Maybe it’s enough to just keep going, one day at a time, and see where life takes me.
