It’s a quote by T S Elliot that I love. I think what he’s trying to say is that we are always capable of more than we think we are. Only those who are willing to keep going to a point which they fear is “too far” can ever possibly discover how far it is possible for them to go.

If we behave conservatively and don’t take risks, we will always be slightly holding ourselves back. However, if we don’t pause to consider the fear of failure, and don’t allow ourselves to become shackled by the fear of doing too much or being too excessive, then we will be free to fulfill our potential.

Rather philosophical for a Wednesday, granted, but it came to me following a conversation based on a recent post about one of my current jobs.

The discussion centred around how many jobs I’ve actually had and what made me choose any of them. I hadn’t really considered before, the number of positions I’d held, so I decided to compile a list!

• Newspaper Delivery
• Milk Delivery
• Dish Washer @ Beefeater
• Sales Assistant @ Tesco
• 5 different jobs @ M&S
• Dry Cleaner
• Sound Engineer
• Courier
• Delivery Driver
• Leisure Centre Manager
• DJ
• Waiter in a cafe
• Bar Man
• Bar Manager
• Business Owner
• Bus Driver
• Train Conductor
• Ambulance First Responder

There might be another one or two I’ve forgotten, but you get the gist of it. I’ve probably had more jobs than a lot of people and have certainly busted the idea that you should have a job/career for life.

As to the motivation for so many changes? There’s no one answer to that. At various times it has been for financial reward, other times geographic convenience and a fair few of them simply down to the fact that I like to challenge myself.

I’d like to think I’ve excelled in most of them and I’ve certainly enjoyed them all. There’s definitely no regret at not having stuck to one job for my entire career as the experience and friends that I’ve picked up along the way has been priceless.

I absolutely love my current job but, at the same time, I’ve already applied for another role in the same company. Gotta keep pushin’ on!