I am the kind of person that loves engaging my friends in developmental discussions. I do it physically, but also on social networks. And it has proved to yield results, both for me and for other people involved. We always share experiences and learn from each other.

Recently we had such a discussion on my Facebook page. It was focused on career choices. Many people gave their views, but there was this comment that touched me most. It was from Diane. She said: "I am longer a banker. I resigned after I discovered that my hair-dresser earned twice my salary despite the fact that I had a masters degree, worked harder and got more stressed. I am now a tailor!”

I privately followed up Diane to get more details surrounding her career change and she allowed me to share her ideas with you, dear readers of this column. I believe that there are many people out there who, like Diane, feel you have done a lot to grow in your career, but for some reason you have remained at the same level. Diane had to get a way of breaking the chains that were binding her and took a new approach.

As I interacted with Diane, it became clear that she always tried to put in more time and effort than her colleagues, but she was never promoted or given a salary increment. Later, as she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, she discovered that she did not merely have to work hard, but rather smart. So jumping into the world of self-employment was a way of creating a new challenge where she could work smart and taste the fruits of her labour.

Asked if she did not fear the risks involved in self-employment where one is not assured of a regular salary, her answer was that it was more risky being in that job where she was not saving any money and yet could be fired anytime. According to her, to fear risks is to fear success since no TESTIMONY can come without a TEST. Now she sometimes earns thrice her former salary. And she’s happy with the fact that she’s not in control of her destiny.

Diane took a bold step to seek new opportunities and that’s what I encourage you to always do as well. Opportunities are like buses; there are times when they come one after the other but there are hours and seasons when they get too scarce that you have to walk around looking for one. Always take a step and look for opportunities; don’t stand at the stage and wait for them to come and find you.

Never hesitate to try out something new, if you feel you are tired of the current situation. There’s no change that can come without action. Perhaps you’ve been in one place waiting for change to find you when in actual sense you are the very person supposed to cause that change? Sometimes we can wait for God to act and miracles happen when actually God is waiting for us to act and then he performs those miracles.