There are times in life when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances: Work. Bills. Family. To do lists that never seem to end. You feel tired and drained. Why do you do this to yourself? Surely, just taking life easy seems the more logical option than combining work and study. You feel the urge to loosen the reins, to relax and to leave your goals behind. Don’t.
A story of dreaming big and NEVER giving up
No matter how tired, hungry and overwhelmed you may feel, NEVER give up on your goals.
I walked the same path as you once.
When I was growing up, my parents made it clear that the world owed me nothing. I needed to work hard and make something of myself if I wanted to achieve my goals. That is why, when I was in Grade 11, I knew that I would need to fund my studies myself. I had two options: take out a study loan or obtain a bursary.
My results at the time were around 84% in Grade 11 and I knew that I would need to work harder to be a bursary contender. This spurred me on to try and fix my weaknesses (maths and science), which I studied diligently throughout that December holiday, every single day. I didn’t like those subjects. But I knew that I had to improve them if I wanted that bursary.
My hunger to make this happen was amplified in matric, a year in which I held three leadership positions (RCL Chair, Deputy Head of School, Head of the Academic Support Task Team) and people told me I wouldn’t achieve my goal as I would be too busy.
When you have no other options, you will find a way to succeed, despite the constant pressure you face. You will eat, sleep and breathe your goal because you only have one shot to make it count.
Well, hard work pays off.
That year, I achieved academic honours three times, ending with a 90% plus average and straight A’s despite my demanding extra-curricular schedule. As a result of this, I was offered a 100% bursary to study accounting at Stellenbosch University on the condition that I maintained a 60% average in my three years.
They asked for 60%: I gave them well over 75%. In my first year I studied around 14−16 hours per day, telling myself that I have one shot at this opportunity and that I had to make it work. Not just for me, but for my family at home.
Our bursary fund was established in 2016 and we were the first cohort to pass through it. As such, the bursary managers were really worried about whether we would pass. Our cohort graduated in 2018, and our results proved that this fund was making a positive impact on developing young talent and thus the fund continued to operate in the years since 2016.
Opportunities in life are because of hard work meeting preparation. Work hard and be ready for opportunities and soon enough they will find you. The key, though, is to never give up.
As an ultra-marathoner, triathlete, former martial artist and adventurer, I have found that success is often found just after those moments when you really feel like quitting.
The problem with quitting, though, is that it can haunt you for many months and you are often left wondering why you didn’t just hang on a little bit longer.
The path you have embarked on is not an easy one. There will be many obstacles in the way, all aimed at testing your mettle. There will be late nights, early mornings and an ever increasing workload. In these moments think about why you embarked on the journey to become a CA(SA). Think about all the people who smile proudly when they hear about what you have achieved. Think about the opportunities that await you once you complete your studies. Let that provide you with the motivation to then continue your journey, taking it day by day.
When you are faced with adversity on your journey, remember the following: Stay calm. Stay focused on your mission and, most importantly, never give up.
Kamir is an avid adventurer at heart. Having completed his articles in 2022, he was able to balance his work with intense triathlon and ultra-marathon training, having completed the Midmar eight-mile swim (2021), a 50-miler trail run (2021) and representing team KZN at the South African Age Group Triathlon Championships in the 25−29 age group in Port Elizabeth in 2022.
Kamir is an author, public speaker and high-performance coach who works relentlessly with his clients to unify their mind, body and soul in pursuit of their purpose and goals in life.
In his spare time, Kamir has hosted a podcast called the High Performance Show which showcases ordinary South Africans under 30 who live extra ordinary lives.
The book that he authored titled Study smarter! A guide to improved test scores and more free time was published to allow him to share his 12 years’ experience gained as a tutor to help students optimise their studies and improve their scores by refining their study techniques.
He qualifies as a CA(SA) this year and currently works as a Senior Auditor at Deloitte in the Netherlands.
Author
Kamir Arjun CA(SA), Senior Auditor at Deloitte, Netherlands
