This is an interesting story from my childhood. It may date back to around 18 years back that is around 1992 when I graduated from high school and about to enter the plus2 that is 11th and 12th, the two years spent before you get into undergrad.
An uncle of mine who is no longer in this world, came to my home to find out how I did in 10th class. This is a typical habit of the uncles of the neighborhood. In any case, he used to give me some good fundas.
While talking to me, as I was seated on a still scooter in my house ( I remember this very vividly), the uncle said, "Beta, remember one thing. The next two years are very crucial. In these two years, if you work like a donkey, you will live like a king after that. But if you live like a king in these two years, you will live like a donkey after that."
I really loved those words so much. What he effectively meant to say was that if you work hard in these two years, you will lead a great life later on. I think I took those words of the great man too literally.
I really worked like a donkey during those years. Fair enough, I got into the most premier technological institution of India, that is Indian Institute of Technology. All good about the donkey work in the two years. But the fact he missed out was that, once you work like a donkey in those two years, you will continue to work like a donkey throughout your life. Because now you are addicted to working like a donkey. So I continue to work like a donkey I guess :-) Whether it be for success. Whether it be for fame. Whether it be for money. Whether it be for peer pressure. Whether it be for reasons I dont know.
Dear uncle, I think I too much followed your wisdom. The thing I should have done was, I should have first defined success for me since this definition is very much context specific and can be defined specifically for individual. And in that context I should have carved out the donkey work. Now I am clueless what is success.
Well I just was thinking about the past as I am away from work and this story suddenly came to my mind.
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2 comments:
Nice post! Very true! It becomes a habit to work like a donkey once you start!
Very nice!
This is exactly what I keep saying to my junior relatives. Your uncle sure thought like me! :)
Thank yourself (and your uncle) that you worked like a donkey in those years, hence you are now still working like a donkey but living like a king. Otherwise you would have had to work like a donkey and live like a donkey... :)
BTW, don't be surprised by the many comments I am leaving at your blog today. I do read your blogs, not very frequently but at least once in like 6 months...
~Behera
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