It is quite amazing how most books teach you excellent theories on motivation, learning, leadership and all those mind boggling attributes a successful person always has, but, it is very ironical that they always mention how these theories vary from premises to employees.
Ultimately it comes to this, that all these books reflect the virtual stories of all such successful people in form of theories which act just as a benchmark for us to compare our ratings with.
But then to what extent should we aspire to become more like a successful person, so that we become the same!
Sachin Tendulkar was then eleven years when his brother took him to watch his first live cricket match. The maestro now was then commenting on how the batsman was making flaws to his brother. After a while, Big B was so annoyed, he asked the little fellow, “Ok Mr. Perfect. Who do you think is perfect? Whom would you want to be if you happen to be a cricketer?” Sachin replied ice cool, “No one. Wait till I get to the pitch some day. People will imitate me”.
Hence it is entirely learning from others and setting ones own benchmarks. ‘Never compete with others, COMPETE WITH YOURSELF’.
Look at the whole perspective by this angle. If you aspire to become like someone or want to beat someone, then the game is over once you do it. But when you keep competing with yourself, you just need not stop at anytime. You just keep getting better.
IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING, DO IT, AND YOU ARE BOUND TO HAVE AN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN LIFE.
Every year thousands of technical and professional graduates join the job stream. Because of the easy availability of such literates, people often comment that the value of technocrats or professional degree holders is decreasing. But it is so annoying to hear this. With such immense talent in a country like India it is only more beneficial. Competition has always proved to be the best eye opener. People following such principles can be put in a very ‘common’ category. They keep running in a “rat race” in life. But they forget that ‘the problem with rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat’. So I have started believing that I am not just another Management Graduate, I want to make difference in whichever firm I serve or whichever field I choose.
It is the simplest way to abuse or criticize any system. But it is the exact opposite if you want to improve or maintain a good system. Any person in this world will definitely have some awesome talent which is unique. It is very inevitable to identify this talent, nourish it, and materialize it for better productivity. It is definitely very encouraging when someone else (especially a senior) praises this virtue you have. But I have found that one can achieve great heights if one does self assessment for such crucial attributes.
It is never easy to be an optimist all the time. But who is asking to look at the brighter side perpetually. Just take care that you polish the dull side instead.
This is no great motivation theory nor am I a philosopher or a great thinker. All I wanted to do was share what I always felt was keeping any individual from achieving newer heights.
