The Power of Choice!

What is choice? To put it simply, it is the ability to select one over another. But having put in a simple way, ‘Choice’ or rather to choose is the most difficult thing to do often.

In life we come across situations where we have to choose one over another, buying a particular brand against other (s), to be on diet or not, to stay positive or not etc. Often there are several factors we weigh to execute our choice. The so called pros and cons. Yet, we find ourselves on the wrong side of the choice. Why? Well, there is no particular guide which improves your selection abilities, it is generally an ‘art’, I would say, which you have developed over a period of time through various experiences.

When we are going through a tough phase ourselves, we would often have this thought, of why me? Why is it that ‘I’ have to go through all of this? Life is all about ups and downs, as many say. Look back and ask yourself, do things happen to you? Or do you make them happen?

Want to be healthy?, it’s really one's choice to do something about it or not. Often, we find ourselves struck in a situation where we are unable to take a decision. Here again, it is indeed our choice to decide or not.

Career decisions are often a result of choices. Where you are, i.e. which company, and what you should be something that you decide or select. I have met many professionals in my career who often complain that they aren't enjoying their job, or they aren't happy with their compensation, or they aren't happy with their career opportunities. My advice to them always remains; do what you ‘want’ and not what you ‘need’. While the needs are often more important to give one a basic living, they often aren't able to distinguish between the two. If you ask them, they would say, “I think i…” which again is a dangerous guesswork. In matters of life, one must be ‘sure’ of what they want.

Political Climate across the world remains tense. Each country is battling to survive. While some countries are battling to sustain, others are battling for a safer life for its citizens. One can easily draw a conclusion that the current situation is a result of some poor choices.  The Voter chose a wrong guy to lead his country, a bureaucrat chose to fund his own account before getting the work done, a man with the gun who chose to kill innocent people and the list goes on. So, isn't all this a matter of choice?

To sum it up, it is indeed the ‘Power of choice’ that determines our fate than anything else. So think hard and execute your power to make the right choice!

Y Me?

Invested money in equities and lost it? Why me? Met with an accident while walking on the road, why me? Client always finds mistakes in your work, Why me?

Often we confront this question; Why Me? Don’t we? And with so much of negativity around in everything; it is indeed easy to get this feeling. Why me?

Well, we have very little choice to undo things. We probably chose to be where we were, but, situations changed. You find yourself a victim of circumstances and situations more often than ever.

In either case, life gives us 2 choices to look at everything. One is to Quit, the easier route. The other is to fight it out. Remember, both are equally painful. While, when you quit, it may seem that there’s no pain and may give you instant relief. But, it does always come back to haunt you in the future. Fighting it out on the other hand may seem painful, discouraging, exhausting…but ensures that you succeed.

When I say fighting it out, I don’t mean that you should fight it out with people around you. I mean to fight the circumstances. Introspect and then take a well thought through and informed course of action.

That said; in either situation, i.e. in quitting or in fighting it out; remember, you have a role to play!

Doesn’t seem to be making sense? Well, let’s say you chose to quit. You have a choice on how you want to and when you want to quit, don’t you? You may want to exercise this option, but keep in mind to avoid any bridges being burnt on your way out. That way, you ensure that you can use the same bridge to return whenever you want.

On the other hand, if you chose to fight out the situation, rest assure, it would be tough. You may want to quit every single day, every single moment. But don’t we say, “No Pain, No gain”? This pain, believe me, would be worth a life time. Even if you don’t win the battle, this is an experience of a life time, and would prepare you for a war that you may have to fight in the future.

Also don’t forget to enjoy during these stressful moments. This would help you remain positive at all times during the battle.

You are known for the choices you make and the decisions you take.

‘Snooze’ – Five more minutes please!

It happens to us every day, the alarm rings and the first reaction, Hit Snooze! Five more minutes please! I am sure the sleep that we get in those 5 minutes is far more precious than the earlier 7 or 8 hours of sleep that we would have got! The power of snooze!

Earlier today, the Indian cricket team lost the second test in a row to English cricket team! Yeah, Cricket, a game, a religion in India isn't it? Indian team showed a dismal performance against the English cricket team. It seemed, our batsmen were in a hurry to go back to the pavilion and their respective hotels to enjoy their Sunday evening! Fair enough, they don’t really get time to enjoy these days anyways!

The loss to the English side today is a wake up call!

Well, cricket is not the only sport where we have problems.  Earlier this week, International Olympics Committee (IOC) suspended Indian Olympic association (IOA) for conducting elections with government
Interference? So this is possibly a Black Week for Indian Sports!

We have our hands full with challenges around sports administration in India these days. Why just sports, but several other aspects of India’s politics, economics (both micro and macro), judiciary etc.

I am a hard core optimist, and I have no doubts that we would overcome all these challenges very soon! I feel proud about the spirit of Indians. And it is this positive spirit which will make the positive difference.

The question is when we would as a nation wake up!

In 500 meters, take Right!

Till about a decade ago, at least in India people who went for long drives, city tour had one thing on the top of their ‘list to take’. Something we fondly remember today as ‘Map’.

Here we are today in 2012, with a market full of gadgets which comes with an ‘app’ we know as ‘Global Positioning System, a GPS’. Almost every new car that is launched today, comes with factory fitted GPS!

This device by itself or in a form of application does a fabulous job of guiding you to your destination!

We all have our day jobs, our businesses, our day to day responsibilities as a professional, as a member of this society and several other roles that we play! Am sure each one of us at some point of time has felt, oh my god! Where am I? What am I Up to! I have felt the same on several occasions. The feeling is similar to being in Pacific Ocean on the ship! Not knowing how to navigate the ship and of course, when would I reach the shore!

I wish we had something like an GPS device, which helped us navigate our lives too! But wait a minute! I thought we had them in our lives already? Who? Again to each his/her own, whomsoever you chose to listen to! Don’t they do the same job of helping you navigate your way out! The challenge at times is when we chose not to listen! At times, too many opinions, advice could confuse you further! But then, that’s the choice you make!

Be it top leaders, industrialists, economists or anyone, Whosoever is at the top would tell you one thing for sure! They reached the top because of that one special person, ‘A Mentor’.

Mentors are instrumental in the success of an individual. They help an individual navigate through the ocean called ‘Life’ and take pride in success of their protégé.  

Have you found your 'Mentor' yet? No, certainly not the one who says, “In 500 meters, take right!”

Go Slow! Work in Progress!

Driving to work during peak and reaching in time is no joke. It’s all about planning, precision, timing and yet you will find yourself waiting behind a bus that broke down, a car that wouldn’t start or just a signal that wouldn’t turn green! I would still say that cities like Bengaluru have manageable traffic. I know it may sound like a joke, but it is when I compare to Mumbai :) 

Bengaluru off late is attempting to change. Much delayed though, but there is an attempt by civic bodies to repair roads, put barricades for traffic discipline to name a few.

With a noble intent to repair roads, the civic bodies had put up huge barricades to allow them to fix pot holes. One can question the timing. Peak Hour? Well, one of these huge barricades had a message, Go, Slow, Work in Progress! You may want to think, why should we ‘Go Slow’ for our better future? Shouldn't we be rushing through, doing things with all agility, accomplish our tasks, be there our time and the train to success would come and pick us up.

With one foot on Clutch, another on brake, all I could do is to drive slow, really slow and think hard, really hard. I could just wish that I owned a helicopter and fly down to office daily. The world of fantasy, hah! Reality check, I was still in my car. I could see almost everyone around me, equally frustrated. Feels good when you know you aren’t alone isn’t it? Some even kept honking to vent their frustration. But really, how is it going to help anyways?

Being patient is not easy and at times where we are fighting hard against competition, we all suffer with what I would call, ‘instant success’ syndrome.

Want to buy a house, ‘just dial’ and there would be a queue of bank officials with brochures to sell you the house.

Feeling hungry? Dial Domino's and get a pizza in 30 minutes OR FREE! (I really like the free part) Everything has to happen ‘instant’, ‘Right now’ or you know what, I wanted this yesterday! No one likes waiting today. Do we?

My Dad always said how they had to wait for everything in their lives, Wait for trains, wait for job’s the famous add post “Vacancies” and even wait for water to be supplied to their homes. Their generation, era, was all about waiting. Waiting for Jobs, salaries, promotions, buy new pair of clothes, get a shelter. Endless. And here we are, in a generation where things happen at a click of a button.

India has grown rapidly over last few decades and we have been successful in many things. But ‘rapid’ growth & development certainly comes with a price. Development needs time and we got to be patient to see the results at least.

So really, is there a medicine for this Syndrome? Actually yes, there is and it’s a very simple one and guess what, this one is free too! So the formula is this. Being happy = Lower your expectations + be patient. Oh yes, it may not work in all situations, but certainly helps us avoid stress.

Finally when barricades were removed, people were relieved for a moment, but anxious again, who comes first? I turned on Car and the AC and was happy that I was not stressed at least and even happier to see the black top road.

In either case, plan ahead, be early and if you are still struck, remember Go slow, when the work is in progress!