“I didn’t want to leave this club.” - Messi 

Happy Monday hustlers! 

Today’s post is dedicated to one of the most trending topics in the world of football - Lionel Messi. 

“My blood ran cold,” Lionel Messi said during the moment of discovery that he will not be playing for Barca anymore, “I didn’t want to leave this club.” 

Due to the outstanding financial burdens of the club, it is with a heavy heart that Messi had to leave the club he grew up in. Even after offering a 50% salary cut to stay in the team, governmental rules and regulations say differently. Messi, at 34, broke down into tears as he delivered his speech in front of an audience which included his wife and three children. The iconic star had been in the club since he left his homeland at just 13 years old - certainly, his career as a football player means so much more than just an occupation. 

What about you? Are you passionate about the things you are working on now? Sometimes it’s important to sit back and ask yourself some questions to better understand yourself, and I don’t just mean to ‘kinda’ answer them, but to really go deep into the nuts and bolts of questions like “What am I good at?” What makes me happy?” Am I content with my work? Self-awareness is key. 

Take this opportunity and join #IAmNotALabel to ask yourselves these questions and go beyond the hustle with Kerja.io - a student-led organization based in the US. We invite you to see beyond the labels placed on individuals within a society, highlight the issues of stress and burnout in the workplace, as well as educate ourselves on the importance of taking care of your mental health. Each completed challenge will unlock $5 from A Better World Foundation to help Kerja.io expand their reach and create educational events to promote self-growth for youths seeking career opportunities.