Sunday, January 25, 2009

Turning the Tables on negative thoughts

As a child, I would fiercely compete to win...anything..a game of marbles, Cricket, quiz competitions..academics... In some, I was ruthless and no one could win against me..but some which required physical fitness, I would would fall short..(second, third..and in many cases somewhere at the bottom). After losing, I would then fiercely cheer for the person who beat me...as if his loss would some how assuage my defeat. This trend continued till I grew up.

One fine day, watching India play Australia in the world cup (Cricket), I was struck by a thought. If India loses this match, and If australia goes on to win the world cup, wouldnt India's defeat be justified, because they lost to the eventual champions. If a team which India defeated in the league matches went on the win the cup, it would mean, a team
inferior to Indian won the tournament.Which is better..cheer for a team that beat your team to win the tournament or cheer for a team that is inferior to yours. I think..cheering for a team that beat your team is a more effective strategy as you shall be known as a team that lost to the eventual winners and not to the eventual losers.

Hmmm...this would mean that If I lost a game or a contract ...I should learn to accept that I lost to a superior adversary (what ever tactics were employed by him to win). I need not place him on a pedestal but figure out where I fell short and learn to innovate accordingly so that I dont loose in the future. Let me not spend time and effort in trying to hate him or plot his downfall. It serves no purpose other than hampering your chances of improving and moving on in life.

So many times, we are consumed by feelings of hate and revenge against someone. The only outcome of such feelings is a general increase your blood pressure and other associated diseases ( though in the end you may get him but at great personal cost). Is it worth it..no it isnt..Just get on with your life and see how you can make the best of opportunities that come your way...


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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Rate of Growth vs Afternoon Siesta

After a long time i got to take a nice afternoon siesta today. When I woke up, feeling all refreshed and sparky, I went for a nice stroll ( the morning being quite hectic). As it often happens, my best ideas come while I am taking a walk or a jog and communing with nature. It struck me, why do we all work with such passion and fervour to achieve a phenomenal rate of growth. What will we do once we achieve that rate ? Will we be satisfied or will we hunger for more? Just because a company has notched up a phenomenal rate of growth, does it mean thats the way to go. All of us in this world are working furiously to ensure the economy/country grows at a fantastic pace, but do we take a step back and see what damage this relentless pursuit of profit and growth is causing us?
We work for 10-12 hrs a day, six days a week. We neglect our family and our health . At the end of the day a major chunk of our earnings goes towards sustaining this maniacal devotion to work, this hunger for achievment. The problems faced by everyone are the same, rich or poor, developed country or developing country. Our craze for growth and profit has resulted in rapid consumption of Natural resources, inequitable distribution of wealth and period bouts of growth and recession. I mean, it does not take a rocket scientist or an economist to figure out this demand supply, boom-bust cycle.

Why cant we just decide enough is enough. Let us settle for a growth rate of say 2 %. Lets see what can happen:-
1. Consumption of natural resources shall reduce. May help in reducing global warming.
2. As companies do not aggressively pursue a high growth rate, every employee shall have more time( the afternoon siesta comes in here)
3. Assured job, with less stress would mean lower health problems..therefore probably happier people and families.
4. Population explosion shall probably reduce as parents shall have time for educating and teaching their children...

Well, naysayers shall say that what about getting infrastruture to the masses, inclusive growth and other issues...well I am sure like with any self correcting and organising system that too shall fall in place and may result in an happier world.

BTW, I would like to make it clear that I am not a communist nor a capitalist...I am an Inclusist..Figure out what that means..
Cheerio