Sometimes we expect too much to happen over a short span of
time. Well, life changes in a matter of
few seconds but here I am talking about something else. I am talking about your work-life, your
office – the place you are married to ;)
What do you go
through- when you have really put in so much of efforts in your work but you
are not given the due recognition? I am quite sure, each one of you reading
this post must have faced a similar situation at least once in your life. What
are your feelings at that point of time? How do you handle the whole situation?
Of course, you don’t end up shooting your boss (though we do dream about it).
How do you move on? Do you learn something from all those situations?
Before you dive into your emotional memory zone and start
looking for answers, here’s a small sneak peek into how I went about this whole
scenario of hard work, luck and much more. Interesting part is, my reaction has
changed as many time I have confronted such a situation in my life.
(It includes all my experiences when I thought I deserved
much more than I was given. And some part of it is fictional too. So please don’t
bother yourself much about thinking when this happened in my life. )
Ever since my birth, my parents always taught me to work
hard (and earn brownie points). Diligently following this piece of advice, I
made it a point to put in my cent percent in whatever I do. And gradually, it
became my characteristic. But the first time came too early in my life. The first
time when I didn't get my desired result. I felt cheated. I thought the whole
world was being unfair to me. Poor soul. Angered, I pledged NOT TO WORK HARD.
But as they say, something that runs in your blood is hard
to avoid. I had to break my promise. And I thought maybe I just ran out of my
luck, good luck. But no, result was no different the second time. Yes, I again
met a disappointed result. No one acknowledging my efforts. This time, I
promised TO WORK HARDER, HARDER THAN BEFORE, and HARDER THAN EVER. (A contrast to my first promise)
The third time I faced this situation and I was like, it’s
Over. How could I be the victim of this bad luck again and again? Few wise people
told me it’s not fate; it’s all about doing Smart Work. Eww.. SMART WORK. Yes, the work culture had changed. Success’s definition
was not defined just by hard work but it was more about smart work. I observed
and learned from the people I studied with, worked with. And I was happy,
finally, I knew the success formula- HARD WORK + SMART WORK (the deadliest
weapon in my hand that could knock down anyone, mind you, anyone!!!!)
Confident that finally I will be on the top, my efforts will
pay off, I continued to work. But I was too blinded by my own faith that I
overlooked what was happening around me, by the people whom I trusted, whom I
worked with. It happened again. I was back to square one. I found myself
missing from the achiever’s list. This was the FOURTH TIME.. You must be
kidding me. Again all this shit. It was then;
I was introduced to this corporate world.
WELCOME TO THE CORPORATE WORLD, MISS ARUSHI. The place where office
politics is a part and parcel of the people’s life. If you don’t know how to
play or if you wish to stay away, then bear the brunt of the someone’s game.
(I thought all this happened only in our movies, in reel
world. But no, it was a stark reality I had to face) I had to make a decision,
whether or not to join this game. To see myself on the top, my vision was blurred
by the glittering wild phantasms of fame and recognition at that time. I got
into this dirty business. Over the period of time, it just got dirtier and
dirtier. I somehow, started losing my interest in work. I was more occupied
with the concerns of others rather than the outcome of my result.
But did it
all pay? Yes, it paid-off. I finally got what I always wanted. An award, a
recognition, name, fame.. (Of course money followed).
But if today, you ask me- Was it all worth for? I would say –
NO.
No, because I had lost the voice of my conscience. I let my
values get diluted.
No, no because I was standing all alone. There were people
around me who looked at me with same jealousy and envy in their eyes, something
that reminded me, of how I felt years back standing at their place. And I knew
exactly what’s going to happen to this crowd standing in front of me. I had just shown them one of the ways to the
top- which I now doubted.
I had so many questions in my mind and I still do. I don’t
know what I did was right. Being selfish for your own betterment is a right
thing to do especially when the world around you is so selfish to you? Is there
another way I could have chosen? Should I be practical or should I be virtuous
and principled?
This is not the end. My life has just begun. And I have much
more to achieve. The question in front of me is – How? Certainly, I know one
thing, I cannot do this all again. I cannot but get my hands dirty again. There
has to be another way. And I am left to discover it. More potent question is –
Do I work to get somebody’s recognition? Or I do work for I love doing it? Do I
have to prove myself to this world? What If I chose to silently work and keep
living my life? There’s a series of questions coming in my mind. A lot to
ponder and act..
But, what about you? Have you been let down by your fate, by
your friends, by your circumstances? Have you been in a situation when you
thought you were rightfully denied what were yours and only yours? When you had
put in efforts to make the presentation and some other colleague took the
laurels away from you? What was your
reaction and the course of action? Please, do share your thoughts with me in
the comment section.
P.S: It’s just amazing how each experience of your life
teaches you something about your own-self, your inner characteristics, your
strengths and your weaknesses. They say it correct- Life’s all about the
journey, a journey which leads to self-discovery.
Continuing the blessed journey of my life, celebrating each
moment !!!!
