Sometimes (actually a lot many times) the most amazing lessons are learned out of the most unexpected places.
Right now, I want you to go a little wild with your imagination and envision about ‘Opportunities’. All those you have leveraged, lost, missed or made a fortune out of. All of them!
In one way or another, every event is impregnated with some form of wisdom and some of them are impactful enough to change your perception about people, things and life in general.
Imagine these opportunities as little soap bubbles. They are charming to look at. Look absolutely stunning as they slowly glide away, leaving you with an inkling of somehow holding on to them.
Opportunities are as fleeting as these soap bubbles. You need to act at the right time with the right kind of skills to hold onto them.
I was lucky enough to stumble upon one such event early in my life that gave me a little glimpse of my ‘true’ personality; something that even I wasn’t aware of.
So, let’s gear back to the year 2004. Life was going smooth in the US when I was doing my masters in engineering management. I was that typical happy-go-lucky who used to take life easy. After all, most 24-year-olds do not take life too seriously and I happened to be one of them.
A few months later, I was supposed to visit India for my sister’s wedding and was prepared to HAVE A GOOD TIME!
My father, being an expert at the art of delegation had already made all possible arrangements. A perfect stay was booked and all I had to do was enjoying the multiple-day gala celebrations that Indian weddings typically are!
Well, that’s how Indian weddings are, lots of people with an extra dose of fun. Though, the most unexpected revelations and learning happen at the strangest places. And that was just about to happen with me.
I met my parents at the airport and basked in the pampering for a good 15–20 minutes that Indian parents typically shower on their kids when they meet them after a long time. But then I noticed one thing — My father was limping. I asked him what happened. He did not say much but I knew the pressure of the wedding had gotten good of him.
I had to help!
Interestingly, I had just learnt about ‘work-breakdown’ structure at a project management course I took at university during that time. And what a perfect opportunity to execute those management mantras — My sister’s wedding!
Without me even realizing, my plans of having a gala time were slightly changed. Right after I reached the hotel, I sat with my father, penned down a few things, grouped some, broke a few tasks and made a list of what all had to be done the next day. I asked him to let me do a few things and it was pretty easy to do.
Day 1 — I could effortlessly execute all the tasks I wrote for myself and was already looking forward to the next day.
There were too many things to be taken care of — food, accommodation, decorations, reception etc. etc. Hence, I took two full-fledged departments under my radar on the second day and it all went well.
By the third day, I was handling most of the stuff and asking my father to just write checks.
Fourth day arrived and it was all under my umbrella. I was handling and managing 100 + people, writing checks, rotating money, and running the show of my sister’s wedding. I was juggling multiple things together effortlessly.
And though, managing 100 plus people might come across as a tedious task but it all came so effortlessly and I was executing everything with breeze.
With childhood nostalgia and emotions brimming up and joy enveloping from all possible corners, I walked my sister down the aisle.
My sister was the prettiest bride and I was the happiest brother.
The wedding finally finished. Everybody was happy. My father looked both surprised and happy with my managerial skill (Perhaps, he was in awe that his son has finally grown up!).
I wrapped-up rest of the pending stuff, went to my room and slept!
I woke up the next day and felt miserable.
A sense of void enveloped me — THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO ANYMORE!
Those four days gave me a glimpse of what I am capable of. What is my true potential! It was impossible for me to go back to my Happy-go-lucky ways. My ability to remain comfortable in the ‘comfort zone’ somehow vanished.
Perhaps, that’s what happens when we ride on opportunities. we get a little sneak-peak of the ‘Extraordinary’ in us and then it is impossible to go back to the ordinary ways of living.
In such case what do you do? And here is where we all have two options — Either you wait for a situation to arise the next time and you lead it or a leader takes you by the hand and gives you more responsibility to lead things.
For me, the leader came, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (I lovingly call him Gurudev (Master)), founder of the Art of Living.
I vividly remember how I took the initiative to come forward and take responsibility, back in 2005. I met Gurudev and asked him, “Is there anything that I can do?”, He walked a little ahead and said that start taking it up.
I could not understand initially but then he came back and told me the same thing, “Start taking it up”.
And that’s when I realized why am I waiting for someone else to come and tell me what to do. I can do it RIGHT NOW! Right this moment!
In all honesty, the universe brims with infinite opportunities. You just have to look around and seize them. It is like a practice; you have to do it over and over and over again till it becomes your very nature.
Now, people can wait for their entire life for something big to happen. One can build sand-castles about their own Cinderella story.
Nothing is going to work till you take the charge!
What I would suggest is, even when something is not clear and things seems a bit hazy, pick something and have a broader vision or purpose. Give your full commitment to it. It will eventually become clear what you want to make out of your life.
Even when the deadlines are close, clock is ticking and pressure is building up, you will be internally inspired to hustle because you aren’t doing something small; you are geared for something big. It is impossible to feel the pressure in such a case.
And what’s astounding (which you will only realize when you take charge of something) is that nature will help you solve the problems. You get supreme confidence to tackle any situation in your life. Yes, you will get the highs and lows but at the same time, you have the confidence to handle pressure and know that things will ultimately work out in your favour.
I have vowed to dream ‘Big’ and keep on broadening my vision. This practice will continue and I am here to hustle!!!
