"MORE THAN CHASING" BY BALDELOVAR, JAN ANTOINE C.

“More Than Chasing”
 

As I started working toward my goals, studying harder, exploring options, and thinking about my skills and passions, I realized that pursuing a career isn’t just about money or status– it’s about purpose. It’s about using what I have to serve, to contribute, and to become the best version. There were times I doubted myself. I compared myself to others who seemed to have it all figured out. I worried about failing, not being good enough, or choosing the wrong path. But instead of letting those thoughts control me, I began to reflect on them. I started asking bigger questions, not just "What do I want to do?" but "Who do I want to become?"

Even setbacks became part of the journey. When I struggled with certain subjects, felt lost, or considered giving up, I began to see those moments not as failures, but as opportunities to grow. I learned that rest is important, reflection is powerful, and that I don’t have to have all the answers right now. What matters is that I keep moving, keep learning, and keep believing that I have.

Through this process, I’ve grown not just as a student, but as a person. I’ve learned discipline, patience, and self-awareness. I’ve become more intentional with my time, more reflective in my choices, and more open to learning from others. I’ve discovered that the path to a meaningful career isn’t always straight; it’s a winding road of trials, lessons, and moments of clarity.

Now, I no longer chase a job just for the sake of having one. I’m chasing a future that aligns with who I am and who I’m called to be. My dream job is not just about what I’ll do, it’s about how I’ll live, how I’ll serve, and how I’ll grow. Because in the end, the job is just the start. The real goal is to become someone who lives with purpose.

However, purpose isn’t something that appears overnight. It’s something I uncover day by day through hard work, curiosity, the relationships I build, and the challenges I face. It’s a process of becoming, not arriving.

Lastly, every step I take from studying late into the night to having honest conversations about my future is a step toward something greater than a career. It’s a step toward becoming a person of integrity, resilience, and purpose. Purpose isn’t something that appears overnight. It’s something I discover slowly, day by day, through hard work, through curiosity, and through the experiences that challenge and stretch me. I’ve come to understand that uncertainty is a natural part of growth. I won’t always feel confident or know exactly where I’m headed, and that’s okay. What matters is that I keep showing up with courage, with humility, and with a desire to grow. Because at the end of the day, the real goal isn’t just to “make it.” It’s to become someone who lives intentionally, serves generously, and never stops growing. And that’s a future worth chasing with more than just facing your fears.