From good to great
There is a wonderful series
of instructions in the Veda starting with the words - Na Pramaditavyam/ Ma
Pramada (न प्रमदितव्यम् / मा प्रमद:)
Simply these mean – DO NOT NEGLECT the few things listed. These
injunctions are meant to ensure we live a fulfilled life. In the list, the Shruti
has even mentioned – Do not neglect your well being and prosperity!
There are some traits
common to every person who has achieved greatness A few things they have not
neglected in life’s journey – a few things that has made the difference between
good and great. These few are mentioned in the list I mentioned above and I
enumerate the same here.
Do
not neglect basic values – Build your profession around values:
The great stand by some
values and principles. “To be truly rich, regardless of his fortune or
lack of it, a man must live by his own values. If those values are not
personally meaningful, then no amount of money gained can hide the emptiness of
life without them.” John Paul Getty.
The basic principle
around which every action is built is, “Do
as you would be done by!” When you are in a position of an advisor, mentor
and have relationships built on trust, there is a great responsibility to
uphold that trust – at the cost of business. Have a code of honour and live by
it. If you cannot be great in your own mind, it does not matter what others
think.
Where there is choice,
there is conflict. In such cases, your values should decide your choices as a
professional.
These values should not
just be taglines to our business names. They should be the principle(s) around
which our entire profession is built.
Do not neglect your contribution to
society:
Everyone
who has achieved greatness is a contributor, more than a mere consumer. In the
balance sheet of life, ensure that the contribution side is far greater than
what you have received and consumed. Be intensely aware of the entire cosmic infrastructure that has
supported you in life’s journey and you will feel the need to take care of it.
Contribution
need not be financial only. It can be in the form of teaching or giving your
time to some cause etc. Look at the world around, everything is cyclic. You receive-give,
receive-give, receive-give. Let the cycle not be broken.
Contribution
as a professional, is also giving back to your employer, employees, your
principals and clients more in value than you receive.
Do
not neglect your health - Physical, mental and intellectual health:
“The foundation of success in life is good health: that is
the substratum of fortune; it is the basis of happiness.” — P.T. Barnum
When I speak about
health, I refer to physical, mental and intellectual health. Everyone is aware
of the need to have good physical health. My focus here is on mental health.
Work environment is competitive,
ever changing and challenging. Invariably during waking hours, the mind is
filled with stress, indecisiveness regarding choices and preoccupations. Mental
fitness refers to calmness of mind, an ability to focus and to see things
objectively. It means enjoying a mental detachment
and not letting emotions rule, create havoc and affect decisions. Unchecked,
powerful emotions subdue the intellect.
Every great, successful
person has this mental fitness – ability to remain objective and enjoy relative
calmness amidst action in the ever changing environment. He has this ability to remain in control and let the intellect work.
Some suggestions:
1.
The
breath and mind are connected. Watching one’s breath is a great relaxation technique
when one is stressed. Works immediately to help one calm down
2. Take time out to watch nature and take
a walk alone. This will ensure that
you develop mental leisure that is so important.
3. One trick that is useful, is to learn
to “neighbourize” any situation. At times of
conflict and indecision, it would be good to watch your mind / the
situation as if it were a neighbour and then respond.
Intellectual health
refers to a well informed, thinking
intellect. Please do not restrict learning and reading only to
investment related stuff. An intellect continually sharpened by going deep into
a subject, learning new things and ideating makes the difference between good
and great.
While those who have achieved greatness in their fields have several other traits, I thought it fit to emphasize the above. Be
mindful of the above and see difference it makes.
Wishing you greatness in your chosen path.
