THE 'WHY' OF WIP

By Diane Mensah, WIP Founder

​In 2013 I moved to Hong Kong and started working with an EdTech startup.  My roles was to explain the courses to potential students, but when I spoke to people on the phone their concerns were less about learning and more about life.  They asked me how to switch into a new career, what should their motivations and purpose be, how could they get there - and where was that?  

​What should have been cold calls, often turned into coaching calls. 

I wondered why so many people were looking for something other than what they already had.  On the surface, everything looked good for them: good jobs, decent pay, nice lifestyles. But something was missing and they were looking for someone to tell them what it was, and what to do next.  

Why? The financial crisis had not directly impacted the jobs of young Millennials, but they had seen the impact it had on their parents which in turn created risk averse young professionals. Maybe because despite the still volatile economy, they had been told to do what has always been done.  Keep heading forward to the next milestone - high school to get good grades, university to get a good degree, take that first job and you’ll get a good wage. And now what? After following this path, Millennials are left waiting for a feeling of calm and contentment that never really comes. After all, they have arrived at their destination, right?  

But life is a journey, not a destination and this cookie-cutter advice is the reason for Millennials’ great expectations:
Where  is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
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I don’t see, and more importantly I don’t feel it.

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What if we ignored the milestones, and treated life as a Work In Progress?

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Those ‘cold calls’ convinced me of the power of dialogue, sharing stories and naming your struggles and fears.  This dialogue needs to happen in a safe space, whether one on one with a coach, in a round table discussion with peers or in a learning environment like a workshop. 

I want Work In Progress to be a place online and offline where professionals looking for purpose can find a career or life coach, meet up with a mentor, get useful resources and connect with peers who are all a Work In Progress.  

Are you a WIP?  
​Join the community and let me know what you want to see and do!

Yes! I'm A WIP!