A human being is a complex creation by the Almighty, from a material and emotional perspective. No matter how much science and technology advance, robots can be programmed to perform physical functions that mimic humans but they can never replace the emotions that human beings have. In the course of our lives, we complicate it further by associating our happiness and sorrows to external variables, which we would like to control wealth, power, status, etc. The more we look “outside” for our satisfaction, the more complex our lives become. We end up channelizing our efforts to acquire what we don’t have instead of cherishing what we already do. In the bargain, we traverse a path of ups and downs, with potholes and speed breakers, with other living and non-living beings crisscrossing our paths.
What do we do when we sit on a roller coaster, or a Ferris wheel? Its takes us up and down, and gives us surges of emotions and excitement. We resign ourselves to the capability of the person who operates the switch. Some of us hope that the ride lasts forever and some of us wish we never started the ride in the first place. Let us see if we can do something to this journey of life and work, and bring the locus of control closer to ourselves. Can we have a louder say in how the path of this journey can be shaped? Can we eliminate some distractions and remain focused? Can we do a better job of things that really matter, rather than spread ourselves thin?
One thought that has often occurred to me, is to consider every human being as a unique equation, mathematical or chemical. For the sake of this article, let us consider it to be a mathematical one. This equation has its own variables & coefficients, which are unique to an individual. These could be as a result of upbringing, personality, experiences, desires, fears, peer pressure, etc. So, if we say, y=f(x) as the equation, then we could write down a sample equation as;
Now, where does this take us, how do we balance the equation? Going back to our mathematics, we know that if an equation is simple, the solution can be obtained easily and perhaps there is a unique solution. If it is complicated, then there can be more than one solution and they can change according to the conditions and boundary values. The answer is KISS – Keep It Simple, Silly. Don’t complicate your life’s equation by bringing in variables and coefficients that are not in your control. Remember that, what solutions solve your equation will not solve the equation of another individual. And the reverse is also true what gives another person satisfaction and peace, will not give you the same.
So what now? A good exercise for you to start narrowing down on your priorities, is what is called an obituary exercise. Imagine you were gone from this physical world, what would you like your obituary to read? That you were a good sportsman, an astute engineer or an erudite sociologist!! Or that you were an affable person, always willing to help and nurture, who shared knowledge, respected everyone, who was humble and hardworking. Working for one’s own welfare is a basic animal instinct. Working for everyone’s welfare belongs to the higher order of human beings. Why do we still remember many of our great heroes? We also remember some villains of the past. It is eventually character and reputation that continues to live beyond one’s physical existence. This will help you clarify for yourself, which variables to keep in your equation of life and which to discard. After all, we know that when the values of the coefficients are small, we can drop those variables off the equation. Those values of the coefficients are given by us, either independently or by the influence of society, peers, family & employer. And you will be able to balance your equation in a comfortable manner. Choose those variables that will result in an obituary that you would prefer to be written about you. And you will be able to balance your equation in a comfortable manner.
Author Information:
Arvind Subramanian VP-HR at Reliance Industries Ltd. “He is an HR Leader with domain expertise in Leadership Development, Coaching, Performance & Rewards and Strategic Communication, etc. He is a doctoral candidate in the area of ‘Organizational Leadership’ at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.”
