How to Become Unstoppable: My Journey Through Career Growth and Entrepreneurship

Hey there! I want to share my personal story of how I've grown in my career through grit, determination, and dua. Here's the thing, I might not be successful by everyone else's standards, but I've definitely found success on my terms. The only person I compete with is myself, and I'm always working to be better than who I was yesterday. Everything I've done in my career and life has been about learning new skills and staying ahead of the curve. I hope my journey inspires you to create your own path too!

Starting Small: The Foundation Years

At 16, I took my first job as a cashier, earning around 3,000 MVR every month. This wasn't glamorous work, but it taught me the value of earning my own money and interacting with people. I worked this job until I received my placement at VIHS, then left to focus on my studies.

Six months after graduating high school, I landed my first formal workplace position as an HR and admin assistant. I had no idea this decision would shape the next decade of my career.

The Power of Being Curious: Mentorship

My approach to learning was unconventional but effective. I treated my boss as a mentor and absorbed everything he taught me like a sponge. I carried a notebook everywhere, asking countless questions daily. Probably to the point of annoyance, and writing down every answer.

I organized my notes with step-by-step instructions and clear headings for each problem. When I encountered the same issue later, I could flip through my pages and find the solution immediately. Without realizing it, I had created my own Standard Operating Procedures manual for HR management.

This curiosity extended beyond work hours. While my colleagues relaxed, I spent time on Pinterest and business blogs, searching for entrepreneurship tactics and self-development content. Pinterest might seem like a creative platform, but I discovered incredible business resources there, including blogs by thought leaders like James Clear.

Excellence in Action: Going Above and Beyond

I threw myself completely into my role. I hand-wrapped birthday presents for every employee (and yes, we celebrated all 200+ employees' birthdays monthly). I managed staff events, ensured leaves were processed on time, salaries were paid promptly, and annual tickets were booked accurately.

I'm proud to say I never missed a single deadline.

My dedication paid off. By age 20 or 21, my boss trusted me to run the entire department during his vacations. I attended management morning meetings on his behalf and handled responsibilities well beyond my job description. Four years later, when I decided to leave, I had earned a promotion and could have moved into a managerial position later on if I had stayed.

Taking the Leap: From Employee to Manager

At 24, I secured my first managerial position as an HR manager for a construction firm. The knowledge I had gained from my mentor became the foundation for understanding true leadership. I used this experience to reform processes and develop a deeper appreciation for what management and leadership really means.

During my free time, I continued studying business and launched multiple side ventures to test my knowledge. One of these was Vizier, a women's sportswear brand I started using my knowledge of fabrics, pattern-making, and manufacturing. At the time, no one else in the Maldives was branding and manufacturing their own apparel.

My Instagram posts were simple, created with a phone app, and probably looked amateur, but I didn't wait for perfect conditions. I took action.

Learning from Setbacks: When Plans Change

Financial constraints forced me to shut down Vizier, which broke my heart. I sold the remaining stock in a flash sale during lockdown, around the same time I lost my job. This setback taught me a valuable lesson: I needed to level up my knowledge systematically.

Despite what internet gurus claim about formal education being "rubbish," I disagree. I enrolled in a business and management course specifically for the knowledge: the certificate was just a bonus. Sometimes you need structured learning to supplement real-world experience.

Unexpected Opportunities: Embracing Sales

When lockdown ended, I applied for multiple management positions and received a call for a sales management role. I had actually forgotten what I'd applied for and was surprised to learn it was a sales position: something completely outside my experience.

I decided to embrace this opportunity since sales is fundamental to business. After being selected, I took multiple online courses in store management and sales. Four years in that position taught me invaluable lessons until I felt I had learned almost everything about the operation.

When I resigned, I asked my hiring manager (who had become a friend and newsletter subscriber) why he had chosen me despite my lack of sales experience. His response was illuminating:

"You had the right aptitude for sales, supplemented by HR experience. The GM and I knew you could easily learn the sales part, and we were sure your HR skills and experience would help keep staff motivated and happy."

This feedback confirmed what I had suspected: my previous experiences had paved the road toward other areas like sales and marketing. The grit I had displayed in my early twenties was paying dividends tenfold.

The Secret Ingredient: Faith and Preparation

You might think I achieved all this through grit, passion, and hard work alone. While these qualities were essential, there was another crucial element: Dua.

Behind every achievement and project, I made dua (prayers). Even for the smallest things, a new business idea, an interview, a meeting, or a conversation with a difficult coworker. I don't remember doing anything significant without making dua first.

When you make dua, you're essentially handing over the outcome to Allah. This isn't just about acceptance of divine decree; it's about finding peace, knowing you'll achieve something if it's good for you and if it's meant to be.

Success Through Thorough Preparation

I never attended a job interview without preparing for hours or days. I researched companies extensively, practiced common interview questions, and meticulously crafted my CV and cover letter for each specific position. I approach every project of mine with the same energy. This level of preparation, combined with faith and hard work, creates an unstoppable combination.

My story isn't unique in its challenges, but it demonstrates what's possible when you combine curiosity, excellence, faith, and thorough preparation. Every setback became a setup for a comeback. Every skill learned in one role becomes valuable in the next. Don’t let your niche job keep you from learning skills in other areas.