Photo by John Gibbons on Unsplash

The desire to achieve it all, but is the foundation strong?

C020 is now done with its first term at ISB, and it has been a thrilling experience. While it was super-busy all along, the term-break has given me an opportunity to reflect and pen down my thoughts. In this article, my focus would not be to just illustrate how is it like at ISB, but how the way you are can change your entire experience of the place. I hope this piece of writing will be helpful to current & future management students, those pursuing other courses demanding rigor, and in general to everyone who wishes to be a better version of himself each passing day.

The first thing that strikes you at a School such as ISB is the sheer number of things that need to be done. This includes overarchingly demanding academics, participation in professional and social clubs, peer to peer learning, tons of assignments, speaker sessions, and what not! You must have come across two types of people in such demanding situations. One, who get terrorized by not only the intensity at which things are happening, but also by the exceptional talent that surrounds them. In this state, they knowingly or unknowingly become defensive in the sense that completing whatever is required becomes the end goal. However, there are others who see the immense learning opportunity, and are thrilled to put in the effort. As they do this, they establish a connect with the School and see it as their new home. While both do the same stuff, the approach is very different. The first state of mind crushes you and saps you of energy, while the second fills in more energy to do much more.

But how to be that person who is always passionate about everything and falls in the second category? It is immensely unfortunate that at a time when the world is getting increasingly complex, the pressure to perform is rising, and expectations from future business leaders are increasing exponentially, there is little focus on how an individual should be, within himself, so that he is not only able to achieve personal success and help in solving world’s biggest problems, but also feels a sense of satisfaction and well-being as a result of putting in so much hard-work.

But happiness is so elusive, right? Most of us feel stressed out to be in a place we always wanted to be. I hope you agree that it is not a smart way to be. So where does it all go wrong and what should one do? The ancient Yogic systems have paid much attention to this aspect. Not going into much technicalities here, simply stated, it all begins when we are not conscious about ourselves – the way of our existence, our thoughts, emotions, and life-energies. The result is that we give in to compulsive forms of living. Certain situations continue to breed fear, stress, anxiety, anger, hatred, and insecurity in us even though we suffer them like anything. This leads to giving in to drinking/smoking to bear with the uncontrollable mind. Frankly speaking, would you drink or smoke if you were feeling ecstatic?

In a nutshell, the point is, with such a mind, how do you hope to be peaceful or joyful? And if you are not, how will life ever be how you always wanted it to be? You will always be in the pursuit of happiness, but never get there. And you will always end up doing things just because everyone else is doing them, not because you want to. But is it all wishy-wooshy stuff I am talking about? Certainly not. I have been on both sides of the picture and have experienced it personally. Our genes do play a part in shaping our personality, but we can slowly but steadily shape it into something wonderful, if we are dedicated to put in the requisite attention and effort.

One can start with daily meditation practice. It helps you be more in the present moment and be more conscious about yourself. It’ll help lubricate the inner system,reducing friction, and bringing in a sense of ease. With this sense of ease, you will make smart decisions, and see what is it that you want. Also, realize that the way you feel is wholly determined by you alone and no one else. Situations may be easy or difficult, but how you let them affect you is 100% an individual choice. And before reacting to any situation, big or small, take a pause for a few seconds. Your system would tell you what is good for you. Be more genuine in your relationships – with everybody: be it your partner, parents, professors, security guards, or your room cleaning staff. Once you start to be joyous by your own nature, the temptation to give in to compulsive forms of behavior would go away. Then begins the self-sustaining cycle of self-transformation. Will everything in my life be perfect after this? No, you do not decide the cards you are dealt, but how you play with them is certainly your choice.

Just imagine how recruiters would die to have such a person in their organization!

I have tried to lay a broad outline explaining the obvious but elusive need to be in control of your own self. It would be my endeavor to talk more about the subject in future articles. However, if anyone is deeply interested to know more, feel free to drop me a message, and I will be happy to reply.

Be conscious, not compulsive!