Long Drive

I was sick and tired of the traffic. Endless traffic jams and slow moving traffic was the order of the day. So I decided that I will take the long route back home.

The road was wider, traffic was less dense. However, it took much longer than usual to reach home. It was a more peaceful drive, the extra time spent driving was worth it.

Should I take the longer route back daily? Should the longer route be my primary way to reach work? Is reaching work my most important goal? Does it make sense to travel the extra mile daily? Or Fighting my way through the traffic is the best way going ahead?

It's definitely not a case of the road less taken, may be its a case of not wanting to fight my way through the traffic. I don't know :)

BIG Questions

Initially thought of adding comments to these great questions from Refueling the Brain. But realized that the below questions deserved a post on their own. It can reach a wider audience this way.

1.  Is the origin of the pressure the school or the society?


I feel its just an illusion created by school, society and parents. All of them are partners in crime.

2. What makes us think that marks are the indicators of success?
Perception: Good Marks -> Good College -> Good Job -> Lots of Money => SUCCESS :)

3. Is our understanding of success and failure right?
I feel, people will always judge you by the success indicators to the external world. Money, social status, education etc. What's imporant is how we understand ourselves. As  a success or a failure.

4. What is the social status of a person who is intelligent, educated, but not too accomplished and not so rich?
School teachers, social workers and many others who help people in need are held in high esteem. While many of them get their due, I still feel a person's success is mostly judged by his wealth.

 5. Does today's society acknowledge material wealth as success? If so, is it right?
I believe, everyone knows the answer in the bottom of their heart. 


6. Is education in Arts and Commerce inferior to Engineering?

According to me, its just a case of securing one's employment. In India, its easier to get a job for an Engineer. That atleast allows someone to gain a foothold in life. Sad state, but that's the harsh truth.

7. While we all discuss endlessly, are we ready to act?
Its a case of spreading the sense around. I feel one must be bold enough in deciding the best future for their kids and not play it safe.

The above answers were only my take on the BIG questions
Please share your thoughts too. The questions deserve to be answered by all...

Second Fiddle

After almost a year of disappointing cricket, the Indian Team finally put up a performance worthy of the 'World Champions'. The media has gone gaga over Virat Kohli's brilliant innings. 'The next big star in the making' blah blah blah... In the middle of all the praise for Kohli, there were invaluable contribution that were forgotten. Sachin & Sehwag gave the team a blitzkrieg start, Gautam Gambhir pinched in with a 60+ score. His partnership with Virat Kohli set the match up for a win.

Its not the first time such supporting performances have gone unnoticed.

India Vs West Indies - The World Cup Final, 1983

Kris Srikanth made 38 runs, the highest score in a total of 1983. Still we remember only Mohinder Amarnath's man of the match performance.

Sri Lanka Vs Australia - The World Cup Final, 1996

The Sri Lankan team created history by winning the World Cup final by batting second. The match best remembered for Aravinda De Silva's magnificent hundred. Yet, there was Arjuna Ranatunga who was there with Aravinda, with an unbeaten 50.

India Vs England - Natwest Final, 2002

The match best remembered for Yuvraj Singh & Mohammed Kaif's match winning partnership and also Sourav Ganguly's shirtless act at Lord's balcony. The Indian Team was down at 146/5 when Yuvraj Singh and Kaif staged the comeback. The scorecard read - 146/5 in  24 overs (Ganguly - 60(43) , Sehwag - 45(49) ).

India Vs Sri Lanka - World Cup Final, 2011

Dhoni hits the winning runs. SIX!!! The man with the midas touch had done it. The rest is history. Forgotten in the history books was Gautam Gambhir's 97 runs.

There are instances like these in all sports and throughout life. Looking back there have also been people who have played an important role in life from the sidelines.

Is it a case of  'The second fiddle does not get its due.' ?

Refueling the brain

My school days were competitive. Many times, there used to be more than one student tied for 1st Rank. This meant no 2nd rank, the next rank holder would be 3rd rank. It would be tie again between 2 students again. A single answer missed would lower your rank. This absurd competition continued even till engineering entrance exams. A single answer missed, means 1000 ranks down. The system was so crappy that inspite of securing over 90%, there were 9000 students who had secured more marks. 

 

I cared lesser, But in other people's lives the expectations were sky high. They sacrificed an extra year to take the entrance exams again so that they could score couple of more percentages. Some students buckled under the pressure, lost their socializing ability, self confidence. A person who scored over 80% used to consider himself a useless student. Some  parents even  used to consider their boy as a poor student because he scored 80% only!!!!

Its not only in schools that this kind of skewed perception is present. One bad appraisal, you are considered a useless resource. The managers make you believe that you dont have it in you any more. You are not as wealthy as your peers or traveled overseas, you are not brilliant enough. People judge others at every given chance. 

As absurd as it may seem, but that's  the way people think.

So much expectations, the self confidence of a person is ultimately lost. Its almost like one lives to meet others' expectations rather than his own.

But there's another problem, the world is a competitive place. You lose confidence, life turns miserable. Low energy levels, negative energy and stress creeps in. How do you keep yourself up and running? So how does one fix this?  

Two ways:

1)  Don't give a damn about other's judging you (THE HARD WAY)

2)  Every individual is the best judge of what he/she's capable of. Compete against yourself.  (EASY WAY)

When I look back at how I used to survive at school, I was never great at Biology. Therefore I never aspired to top the class in Biology. I knew that it was not in my DNA. But I always knew I was better at computers. All that mattered was whether I reached my target. Did I get >95% every time?  Never did I care how much the other person scored. I gave a damn even if the other person scored a 100. I missed my target, I was sad. I was my only competition.

There's competition at work too. Some peers get a bigger raise. Some of them have the knack of selling their ideas better. If I  can't do what other's do, it really does not matter. That did not make me any lesser. I solve problems faster than most people, write much better code. My core skills matters a lot to me. Its important I continue improving on what I do best. That's the competition which drives me to do better stuff daily. Of course, its important to improve on my weakness. But it will never be at the expense of my strengths. 

Winning at business, sports etc is a totally different approach. You need a proper plan, execute it well and play your cards  well.

When it comes to day to day life, to be happy, gaining confidence and be ready to face the next day; its necessary to know what works for you  and also to compete with yourself. Then you'd not care about what others think about you.

Coffee Break

During a coffee break,  discussion between a Fresher who joined the company and a Veteran Engineer.

Veteran Engineer: I'm not happy. Company's not hiked my salary this time.

Fresher: How much money do you need?

Veteran Engineer: Equally experienced folks in our company  get paid more than I do.

Fresher: But how does that affect you?

Veteran Engineer: Other companies pay even better :(

Fresher: Then why don't you make a move?

Veteran Engineer: The non work benefits are awesome here. Life won't be so cool at other places

Fresher: Sounds a good reason to stay back :)

Veteran Engineer: But costs are increasing. Fuel, rent, loans everything's gone up. How can I manage?

Fresher: But our company don't pay so poorly. You'll  also have several years of savings.

Veteran Engineer: I still don't have any money left...

Fresher: Even after being on overseas assignments for years?

Veteran Engineer: What's the use? My kid's school charge 1 lakh rupees. If they charge so much, what can I do?

Fresher: Your kid's in Engineering?!!! I paid far less for my engineering.

Veteran Engineer: Damn you, I'm not so old. Kid's in Kindergarten  only. But its an International school.

Fresher: Why in the world you'd put your kid in such an expensive school? Did ur studies cost so much?

Veteran Engineer: I studied in good convent. 

Fresher:  You're in a good position aren't u?

Veteran Engineer: They teach well, Teach very good English. Teachers are also extremely educated. Know, the school is awesome.

Fresher: OK, then what you pay is what you get. What's the problem?

Veteran Engineer: I pay so much already, the fees will increase from next month!!! So company must hike my salary.

Fresher: Why should the company hike the salary if you decide to spend more?

Veteran Engineer: I also have to invest in real estate.

Fresher: U already live in a villa. Anyways, If you don't have enough money, why  do you want to invest.

Veteran Engineer: I've invested already in few ventures. The property value have appreciated. So I want to invest in more ventures.

Fresher: Now I know what you do with all your money.

Veteran Engineer: Do you also want to invest?

Fresher: Dude, I just got started. Moreover, we have property at our hometown. I want to learn in the initial stages of my career.

Veteran Engineer: I'm telling you, other companies pay more. You must think of shifting.

Fresher: Whatever!!!!

Veteran: Hey. Meeting time, lets go

After a few weeks, the young engineer  left his job for a new one. The Veteran Engineer found an overseas assignment for himself.

Ultimately, the question was never answered "How much money do u need"

My Nose!!! I ran into a glass door

My anecdote may appear extremely silly or funny for those who read it,  but it was a painful few days for me.

A few years ago, I was part of a team that had traveled down to Bangalore for a cricket match. Our team were staying in the corporate guest house. Actually, guest house was more of a resort. Lush green lawn, European style rooms, garden, corporate lounge and a great restaurant. I was wowed at the luxury we were provided for just an intra-company match. I wished that I could make  my home like the guest house.

We had made it to the finals. It was the evening before the big match. I was in great spirits before the finals. The guest house made my evening even more beautiful. It was dinner time, someone yelled out my name from the restaurant. So much energy and excitement, I was sprinting towards the person.

The unexpected happened, I ran into an almost invisible glass door in the lobby. Nose First!!!! I had hurt my nose very badly. My eyes were filled with tears almost instantly due to the impact. I lost balance,  my head was spinning. For a few moments, didn't  realized what hit me. All I could feel was my nose was aching. For the first time, I felt bad for having a Big nose :) 

So much for a great guest house, there was a nearly invisible glass door(no handles, can u imagine?) right in the middle of the lobby. 

Adding insult to injury, my whole team was around me rolling in laughter looking at my plight. A few of them sympathized though. But the pain was totally mine to experience :( I still played the final next day.

I can see it as the  stupidity of the designers (to put a near spotless glass pane trap right in the middle of the lobby without any sort of marking) or my own carelessness not to see invisible obstacle in my way.

Ultimately I ended up hurting my nose. And the next few days were misery even to breathe :) 

Just thinking of the day I ran to the glass door, or seeing a Saint-Gobain Glass advertisements hurts my nose. 

In hindsight, I should've been more careful.

Damn!!  

(Nostalgic,  I written this post at the exact time I ran into the glass door - 10:30PM ) 

Pink Slip

The story is about what had happened just before and after an Engineer was given the pink slip.

Once upon a time, in a workplace not so far far away, there was an engineer who joined a tech firm. He was smart, enterprising and a bright individual. To many it appeared that his only passion was to do his work with unflinching dedication. 

Few months passed. Naturally, he was a top performer and earned his place in the team. Few of his team members admired him for his work ethics; few others for his charm. However most of them liked his brilliance at work.

Many a times, he went a great distance to get things done. Along the way knowingly or unknowingly, he stepped on others’ feet, called ‘Spade a Spade’, ticked off the wrong people in the organization chain and even ended up being stonewalled on a few occasions. 

Though he produced great results, the perception was that he was a tough guy to work with. His immediate bossed kept warning him about the perceptions that built around him. He believed that he was correct most times. He also knew that his behavior was less than appreciated on some occasions. 

However, he was barely successful in changing the perception around him. Life became miserable for him and also the folks he worked with. The most unfortunate situation was that his admirers were also among his detractors.

Amidst all this workplace politics, his well-wishers and the admirers he earned stayed true to him. Warned him of impending danger, tried there best to help him.

Over the course of time, his detractors decided to put an end to the misery. They were waiting for one failure to make their move. One bad day at work, he missed an engineering deadline and snapped at one of the colleagues from the management chain. The knives were out. Allegations flowed; he was crucified in front of the HR. It was like his detractors were waiting for a chance to fix things. 

Fired!!! 

He was devastated. It was like his career had come crumbling down. For his admirers, the management’s move came as a rude shock. By the time they realized what had happened, he was gone. The HR had already escorted him out of the building.

Professional conduct and bad performances were sighted as reasons for the pink slip. Some employees believed the reasons the management provided them for this termination. Others did not. The same colleagues who recommended his termination were also among the folks who felt sad for the poor engineer.

The day was gone, weeks passed. The organization had moved on. People forgot what had happened.

One fine day, a few of his colleagues found out that he was working in one the biggest firms in the tech industry. He was leading a happy life. 

Looking back at the management decision to show the door, no doubt it was a bitter episode. They made a choice and there was bad blood. It was never a question of who was right or wrong. A hard decision had to be taken, and someone made it.

In the end, life moved on for everyone.

Hand la Glass, Glass la......

Most days that I'm back from work I get to spend some time alone. The mind being the entity which never rests, numerous thoughts appear:  The Good, Bad and the Ugly. So many thoughts. It almost becomes impossible to figure out the positive ones from the negative.

When such thoughts occur, there are always two choices, spend time with yourself or socialize. When you socialize, the mind engages itself in other activities, but the questions that have been presented by the mind remains unanswered. The questions don't fade away, but come back another day. 

When you listen to the inner voice, what you want may become clear. Other people may  or may not understand , but most important that  you  understand what you want.

You can listen from none other than yourself about what you want. More often, spending time alone is a great way  to take stock of what's going on in one's own life. It"s the window to reflect on the events of the past, present and the future. The mind gets the time to connect the dots, form patterns and  relationships between seemingly random events that occurred in life.

So the question ultimately boils down to whether you give enough time for yourself. More often than not, it helps :)

Good Night,

Kaushik

Did you drink MILK today???

I'm going back almost 15 years with this one :) I was at high school. It was the same old start to the day, discipline, prayer session etc. All of us in the class were standing up and praying with our hands folded. Not because we wanted God to answer our prayers, but because the beloved principal, Thakkali (The Tomato) was at our class. The mood was serious. Even God wouldn't wish to see 50 odd people standing so seriously. We not praying to Him, but standing out of fear of Thakkali and his nuisance ways :)

Suddenly something out of the ordinary happened. A totally unexpected event and perhaps the most hilarious one in our Class' history. A friend came in late to class. He perhaps didnt realize that the principal was there at class. Of all the questions, he popped up a seemingly mundane, innocuous question to the person standing next to him - "Did you drink Milk today". The rest was history :-D

Bad luck, the Thakkali spotted him. The Class was in splits. We were not able to believe how could someone as something as simple as this, and worst of all get caught. Both the  friends were pulled up, punished, embarrased in front of the class and made to stand outside in the Ground for almost 2 classes :) Our principal, claiming to be strict was a total Douche Bag.

Back to the present, when I was making my tea one morning I recollected the above episode. Seemingly, one of the most innocuous questions('Did you drink milk today?') , presented itself in the most different perspective possible.

Am I following the same set of tasks everyday? It's not about work. Its about the fixed routine I followed when everything was alright. The seemingly boring  and simple day to day tasks like having my daily cup of tea, reading the newspaper, a 'Hi' to the security guards every morning etc.

However less significent they may seem in the overall scheme of the day, these simple actions are signs that I am  alright, normal when I  start my day. When I compare the days where I missed my routine with the normal days, its seems pretty apparent that I am not at my best throughout the day.

Being aware of the routine, goes a long way in determining for onself if he/she is starting off the day in a normal way. Some days may be an exception, but often it was a good indicator of one's  mental makeup at the start of the day.

Looks like the genius classmate of mine who asked "Did you drink milk today" was not so naive after all. May be he was just checking if things were normal. Thanks to Thakkali, he spent a couple of hours kneeling down in the Hot Sun and Tarred basketball court.

So, "Did you drink Milk today?"

Good day,

- Kaushik

Mission Impossible

Life is not mission difficult, but 'Mission Impossible'. The word difficult must be a cakewalk :) And You are 'Ethan Hunt'. Because life is MI, every new episode starts with a seemingly unprobable mission. You have almost an unlimited supply of energy, ideas and tools around you needed for the mission. But what's missing is the objective and the ways to achieve it.

You also have your team with you, who dont give up on you and part of each mission, playing the support staff. Sometimes you  build the team from scratch, other times the old team signs themselves up to be part of the story. There may also be old faces in the team, who have been part of each mission. You also lose your near and dear team members  along the way.

Over the course of the mission, you may try something as crazy as jumping from the Burj Khalifa or even run through a sand storm chasing a target. The set pieces  may even  require you to play someone as simple as yourself, use all the charm and get something nice done.

The role, craziness repeats itself for every mission.  The mission may last for days, or weeks or even months. The journey may be easy or difficult. The experience may be enjoyable or not,  but what doesn't change is that every Mission Impossible ends with  "Mission Completed".

Are you ready for the next mission?

[This Message will not self destruct in 5 seconds, coz this ain't the mission objective. THIS IS THE SCRIPT OF MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: LIFE PROTOCOL ]

Good Day!!!

- Kaushik