My name is Talha Mughal, the eldest in the siblings a proud son of a carpenter who is also the eldest of siblings. I am an Accountant by profession and a freelance Bookkeeper providing services to my clients globally.
I could not continue my studies:
I belong to a lower-middle-class family and my father was working as a Carpenter on daily wages. By working hard, he and my mother managed to give us education (me including 3 other siblings) until matriculation but due to high education fees and living expenses, my father could not afford it any longer.
I had to do some work to help my father make ends meet as well as to continue my studies. I joined a garment factory and started learning “Hunar” as a Mechanic. I worked 14 to 15 hours a day just to pay my education fees. I worked as a “Door to Door Marketer” and other several jobs also but my father always forced me to learn “Hunar”.
Story cut short, after intermediate, I could not continue my studies due to financial crises and started full-time working in a garments factory. I’ve made up my mind that, sadly — I will never be able to resume my studies and chase my life goals.
The Turning Point:
One day, my mother asked me to go with her somewhere. I asked her where are we going. She refused to tell me and said “We’ve to go, come with me”. I said okay and without thinking, I just held the bag of my mother and went to a bus stop. We took the bus.
My mother told me to get out of the bus at Nazimabad (Formen College). Without informing me, she went with me to get me admitted to a college. When we reached the front gates of the college, she said: “Go and get your admission done, I’ve brought all necessary documents, forms with me”.
Emotionally broken at that moment, I was in tears and tightly hugged my MOM. She said “My son, we have high hopes for you. I just wish you make us proud one day and grow professionally”
That day was my turning point in life. I promised myself that I will prove myself and never let my parents down, especially my mother.
I started doing a day job and used to finish my studies at night. I also got admission to English Language classes. I realized the importance of learning English, it is an international business language. Thankfully, my friend sponsored me for English training. A few months later, I left my Factory job and started a Call Centre job at night, and in the daytime, I used to give tuition to secondary students.
Completing my graduation:
I completed my graduation and after few months I started a job as an account assistant in a private firm (thanks to my friend). I worked there for about 3 years along with giving tuitions to BCom students.
One day one of my student’s father asked me “Do you want to go to Malaysia?“. I was shocked and surprised. He told me that his company is opening a branch in Malaysia and they need an accountant. Immediately, chasing on this opportunity, I said yes. I did not even take time to discuss the matter with my parents because I did not want to lose this life-changing chance.
Having a job abroad and working a white-collar job for a multinational company was just a fantasy. I couldn’t sleep that night.
Coming to Malaysia:
I came to Malaysia in the year 2013. I worked hard, day and night, and Alhamdulillah by the grace of ALMIGHTY ALLAH, i got promoted three times in eight years. Today, I am working as a “Senior Account Executive” in the same company. A lead of fate for a guy who was struggling to make ends meet, just a few years back and now living a dream life.
Life after Pandemic:
In 2020, after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, I started to explore other channels of income. I was free for half of the day because of lockdown and working from home. I started learning different computer skills. On the internet, I came across Hisham Sarwar and other mentors. After watching videos on their channels, I decided to learn a tech skill in my own field. I learned QuickBooks, Xero, and USA & UK accounting standards and their requirements.
Freelance Journey:
I started freelancing in somewhere September 2020 on Upwork and. I became Top Rated within four months with 100% JSS. I realized that if want to become a successful freelancer.
You’ve to create a proposal that gets attention of the client. The proposal needs to talk about “your solution, not you“. If you focus on this keyline, you will become successful.
There’s another important attribute to success as a freelancer. Focus on a long-term relationship. If you get regular clients, these clients will become a continuous source of income and also refer more people to hire you.
In my freelance journey, as a son of a carpenter, I learned some carpentry skills. I am not a proud wood-smith but I created my workstation myself.
Conclusion:
My friend, if you are still reading it. I want you to know that life is a continuous battle. Be proud of who you are, for that you need to equip yourself with soft and hard skills. I’ve made my parents proud. I have constructed our own house, just from freelancing money. No, this is not my house, this is a place we call “HOME”. This is the least I can do for what my parents have done for me. I am successful because their hands prayed and continue to pray for me every time they offer their prayers.
I have constructed my own house just from freelancing money and my parents are so proud of me that their dream is fulfilled to live in our own house Alhamdulillah.
In the end, this post needs special recognition to Sir Hisham. Dear Sir, your teaching, motivational videos that have not only inspired me but gave me a path to walk and chase my dreams in the online world. I am sure, others are benefiting too from your glowing torch of hope.
Discussion about this post