Life Reflections - Slow & Steady Wins The Race, Fast & Disruptive Takes You Places

Slow and Steady Wins The Race, Fast and Disruptive Takes You Places

From childhood we read stories for various reasons like pictures within the book are great and have an appeal, the story that you are reading is interesting, you like reading and the moral at the end teaches us some life lessons. One such story that we all are aware is the Tortoise and Hare story. This one is Aesop’s Fables creations. Aesop was a slave in ancient Greek and a great story teller, and hence gave the world some interesting and relevant to this era stories to ponder and think about.

The Tortoise and Hare story talks about a race between the fast and the slow, the unequal’s. The Hare used to bully the Tortoise for its shape, size and speed. The tortoise was fed up of this bullying and hence one day challenged the Hare for a race. In this article I have used these two characters      and have tried to apply their story and characteristics to today’s organizational scenario.

Let’s take a look at the characteristics of the Tortoise and Hare. The Tortoise is slow and large while the Hare is fast and nimble. The story drew lot of contradictory morals. For some the moral was “Haste makes waste (Hare)”, “Never be overconfident of your abilities (Hare)”, “Believe in your ability (Tortoise)”  “Perseverance wins at the end (Tortoise)”and some more such morals. But when you apply this story to present day scenarios for businesses it is completely different. To me this story in the present scenario spells out the moral like “Slow and steady definitely wins the race, but fast and disruptive takes you places”

The Tortoise was definitely slow, but he was focused. His focus was to race and reach the finish line not worrying whether he will win or lose but always trying to keep up in the race. Today organizations face the same scenario; they have to constantly keep up to the front runners within view-able distance so that they can catch-up. The Hare on the other hand was fast and focused till a certain point and then was disillusioned that he is already a winner and doesn’t need to worry about the tortoise anymore as his own pace and abilities are getting him the result. This can happen to organizations and can sometimes come in their way as it becomes difficult to move away from adopted practices.

Today there are dual dilemmas, organizations want the focused approach of tortoise of finishing the race and staying relevant by achieving growth and progress and on the other hand run fast (innovate) and be disruptive (bring new things to the table) so that they wouldn’t eventually lose out. Companies need both strategies of the Tortoise and the Hare. Tortoise brings focus and commitment of never giving up while the Hare brings speed and innovation which can be disruptive and essential for the growth engines.

So what do you want to be? The Hare or the Tortoise or both!

Abhijit More

Pune

Life Lesson - The Krishna Sudama Moment

The Krishna Sudama Moment

We all have either heard or read about the friendship tale of Krishna and Sudama. Their friendship till this day is considered as the most ideal friendship. The short story goes by like one day Sudama who was not a well do friend of Krishna traveled great distance to meet. Since he was financially weak he had got some wet puffed rice which Krishna liked. Krishna was excited to meet his friend and ate the wet puffed rice with great satisfaction as they were the most favourite food item without demeaning the gift that Sudama had got looking at his financial condition.

Coming back to this age I witnessed a similar moment in my life. We were all set to throw a small dinner party for close family members Thursday was the day for the dinner party. We extended the invitation to guests a day prior and confirmed their availability. The guests had accepted the invitation generously.

After a long day at work I reached home and witnessed both my wife and mom making the dinner preparations for the next day. They had completed cooking the dinner for Wednesday night and were engrossed in conversation as to how to go about the next day for the dinner party. Dad had just informed me once again that the guests had accepted the invitation.

In the mean while my phone rang. I answered the call as it was from one of the guest we had invited. As soon as I greeted, the voice from the other end asked me for directions to our place and notified that they will be reaching our place in the next 15 minutes. They had traveled all the way from Pune to where we resided.

I was lost as to what do I say to them. They had arrived for the dinner party a day prior. I gave the directions to them and post the call informed my family that one of the guest will be arriving today for dinner. My parents and wife were stunned and started laughing. Mom was quick to check with Dad if he had given the right date and time for the dinner invitation to which Dad nodded in the affirmative.

The guests arrived and our family greeted them with great enthusiasm. One of the guest quickly made herself comfortable in the kitchen chatting with my wife and mother while the other guest freshened up. The guest was quick to realize that something was amiss. I came in laughing in the kitchen and told them about the confusion. The other guest too realized the sudden burst of laughter. They were all but ready to leave and embarrassed, but we requested them to stay back and have whatever dinner we had prepared for us that day. The couple who had landed up were sheepish and were inquiring if we had enough food left for ourselves. But we had enough. This very moment made me realize of the same moment when Sudama offered whatever he had to Krishna. This was our Sudama – Krishna moment!!!

Learning  from this situation’s:

1)  Be ready to offer whatever is available to offer selflessly.

2) Do not panic in such situations and happily adapt to the flow of things

3) Adithi Devo Bhava – Guests are like Gods themselves

Abhijit More

Pune

Life Lesson - The Joker Within

The Joker Within

We all are fond of playing cards. They help us rejoice some great moments with friends, family and loved ones. The cards also are reasons to bring fortunes and despair to us if you know what I mean J

We all are aware of the various characters within a card deck. The most loved ones being the Aces, the Kings, the Queens and the Jacks. The thirteen characters that hold a card house together.  The cards perform the same roles in the various card houses, yet are distinct and different from each other. This brings me to the most overlooked and the most underutilized card among all the cards “The Joker”.

Have you ever pondered at the “Joker” from a different perspective? Why is that card so special? If people are given the chance to live out a character from within the card deck they would easily choose a role from the Aces to the deuces. People will often overlook and ignore the Joker card as that somehow doesn’t fit in. But according to me the joker card does fit in .

J

The Joker card is the most versatile and the most adaptable card that we have ever come across. The Joker can play any role from the Aces to the Deuces, it’s the card which makes us feel one and complete. It is unique J

Well the Joker card completes us. It completes us and keeps us in the game. The game of human nature makes us wear all masks from the Aces to the Deuces. We as people need to realize that we need to be more like the Joker card. Adaptable, Versatile you name it. We need to develop the ability to accept, adapt and build a character which is useful and play any part in any given situations. This in a way will help us in the long run, make us wiser, and make us adapt, acquire and help us make decisions without being naive.

Let us learn and unlearn one character from the other and bring in the flavor of the cards characteristics within ourselves. Let us bring out the Joker within.

Learning from being a Joker:

1)  Let us not stick to one role and one direction in life. Play new roles and enjoy them no matter how small or big they may be.

2) Let life make a character out of you. Be the Joker if needed.

3) Always be ready to accept, adapt and change.

Abhijit More

Pune

Life Lesson - Low Hanging Tree

The Low Hanging Tree

In marketing terms, low hanging fruit means achieving targets, tasks or goals which are easy and do not require considerable effort.  These “low hanging fruits” bear considerable results as they add up to your growth. Apply the same logic to job opportunities out there this theory somehow doesn’t stick based on my recent experience. Here is that one scenario that I faced with regards to job opportunities. I call this “The Low Hanging Tree” experience.

“I want to try new opportunities” my inner voice said and I decided to search for new job opportunities. I was good at what I was doing, just wanted to try something new and wanted to learn new things. So I posted my resume on various job sites and voila within few weeks I had various interviews lined up. I gave every possible interview as I wanted to maximize my chances on winning every opportunity or shall I say a “very good deal”.

Some time passed and I was amazed that I had offers from three organizations. I finally felt destiny and the work destination was is in my hands. Let me put forth to you the organizations sizes. For some reason I decided to compare them to trees.

Option A – A Mango Tree (Large and bearing fruits)

Option B – A Coconut Tree (Hard to get fruits but self-sustaining)

Option C – Banana Tree (Bears fruits only once and then is discarded)

Looking at the Option A, it was obvious for me that the organization would be the best bet as it would provide everything like stability (stronger root system – strong org values), fruits of labour (seasonal basis – better appraisals) and the fact that it’s a Mango tree, which in itself is a big brand. Moreover, this tree lives a long life.

Looking at Option B, it still was a better bet as there was hard work involved but very little needed for the tree to sustain itself. A good climate (business pipeline), water (funds) and some great growth material (opportunities) and the tree grow. The Coconut tree too is a brand because it offers itself in entirety and is the most useful tree. This tree too keeps growing taller and lives a longer life.

Looking at Option C, well it was very deceptive in nature to what it offered. It bears fruits once and then is discarded offering minimal use. The Banana tree represents short term goals (bear fruit once) and unsustainability (can’t sustain in a large market) if outwardly weather conditions (business scenarios) change.

Well to my educated and calculated guess I chose Option C and was caught by the deceptiveness.  I had various reasons to choose Option C like 1) it was very lucrative, 2) easy and very low hanging to climb and 3) it was bearing fruits with the least efforts.

The deceptiveness that lay within the outwardly appearance of trees (organizations) taught me a few lessons which I would like to share:

1) Thoroughly check and re-check the tree that you are climbing and research whether it can sustain your weight (needs and aspirations)

2) Look at the long term sustainability score (can the tree weather the storm or let the leaves shed to self-conserve)

3) Be extremely vary of low hanging trees and fruits, they can be extremely deceptive and can cause suffering.

Abhijit More

Pune

Life Lesson - From Being Arjuna to being Dronarchya

From being Arjun to being Dronacharya

“Do you have it in you” These 6 words made an instant impact on me. I always looked upon the Defence Forces as a place to be. Polished boots, crisp and ironed uniform, glittering stars on shoulders and an awesome attitude for life and off course your duty to your land and people. Wow! I was literally dumb struck.

I enrolled into the Army Unit of NCC (National Cadet Corps) to lead me towards my goal one step at a time. My aim was to reach the “AntimPag” (The last steps) as it is proudly inscribed on the steps of the Chetwode building at IMA (Indian Military Academy).

The journey began with NCC which gives a fraction of how life is in the defence forces. I was a loyal, disciplined and a jovial cadet who took task and responsibility as duty. I enjoyed NCC camps where I got an opportunity to be away from the family and be with buddies going through the regular Army likewise routine and enjoying punishments of push-ups and front rolls with ease. Finally I graduated from college. J

After graduation I started working in a BPO,but continued my pursuit for Armed Forces. I cleared the defence forces exams 7 times with flying colours. J As next steps I had to attend and clear the Service Selection Board interviews at various locations like Allahabad, Bhopal and Bangalore and get recommended to join the Armed Forces after a small medical exam.

For all my interviews I cleared till the last stage. I would always be in the last lot of 20’s and 30’s who would eagerly await the results from the board as to who among us are recommended to join the Armed forces. Can you imagine being there all the time? Lakhs of students across India give exams, only thousands clear the written and only a few 20’s and 30’s remain to be recommended. Hush! It is a long and eventful journey. This was my last stand, the 7^th interview, the 7^th time I am in the last lot. The Gods must be crazy. As the Commanding officer announced the names, I was eagerly waiting for mine to be called out. To my disappointment, the call never came!!!  I was heartbroken instantly. This was my last attempt. IT’S ALL OVER NOW. My ATIM PAG dream was broken into a thousand pieces. I was angry, frustrated and didn’t know how to take this on the chin.

During the years of my preparation and trying times, my cousin Aayush was continuously observing me, he always asked me about my NCC activities, the Army life and how I was preparing for the exams, how I got through the interviews and what happened at the last stages. I always found myself uncomfortable at some of the questions as they would always dig out the scar of not making it through. 

Knowingly or Unknowingly I had inspired someone. Life moves on and life changes your roles instantly. Aayush too wished to join the Armed Forces. He enlisted and joined the Sea Cadet course (a preliminary course) in Mumbai like me joining NCC. I realised that my role in his life is going to very important.  My role had now changed from Arjun who seeked education from the Gurukul to that of the Dronacharya, the one who taught students to be superior. Today my cousin has inspired me to guide him at every stage to join the defence academies and complete a dream which remained unfulfilled.

Lessons to learn

1) Ability to mold ourselves to new roles

2) Your actions can inspire others

3) Any experience never goes waste

Abhijit More

Pune

Travel - Adventure - Waterfall Rappelling at Bekarewadi Karjat

Waterfall Rappelling at Bekarewadi Karjat

It was August of 2013 and it had been some time since our last activity as a group and in came an email from our closed group for a waterfall rappelling event at Bakerewadi Karjat. I was eager to do it and gave in my nomination for participation. We began early and I was picked up from Nigdi.

Making our way towards Karjat, we got off at Lonavala and then continued to Karjat via Khopoli. It was a rainy and misty morning until we were crossing the ghat section

Our Travel Partner

As we were moving towards Karjat, the weather became clear and hopes of a eventful waterfall rappelling was in the mix. 

We had taken the services of BAAN hikers who manage the rappelling event. As soon as we reached the base village the BAAN hiker SPOC started leading us towards the waterfall. We had to cross through a river that was flowing by the village.

We were given the necessary instructions on the equipment that will be used and the activities that we have to perform.

The opportunity to rappel was based on the booking and based on our groups rule of letting ladies go first.

The best and most scary part of the rappelling was that if you are close to the center of the fall, one cant look up as gallons of water will hit you and you cant make a sense of where one is in the waterfall and this is exactly what happened to couple of participants.

I was the one officially clicking pics for everyone and I had requested couple of team members to click my pic when the time comes.

My pic

Mid waterfall my left leg got entangled between the guide line and the rappelling line and I had to get that sorted out mid air as the noose was tightening on my left thigh making it impossible to proceed. This was captured in the pics clicked.

Me entangling myself

After completing the rappel down we had to tug the guide wire which would signal to the top that the person has completed the descend.

That was it for this event. It was more adventurous and we all did it safely and with lots of encouragement for each other.

Until next time, enjoy reading. 

Abhijit More

Pune

Travel - Range Trek to Alang Madan - Ek Thararatmak Bhatkanti

Trek to Alang & Madan - AMK range💥💥🚌🚩🚦🚪

One of the most adventurous fort I had ever trekked in my life of adventure so far has been the Alang & Madan Trek. This trek was not organized by the org team but we had formed a group within our trekking community in the org. One of my trek friend asked me whether I would be interested to trek with them for Alang & Madan trek in the AMK range near Kalsubai the highest peak in Maharashtra. I did not think twice and said yes to him. This time around the Trek was organized by Offbeat Sahyadris. This was a Mumbai based group and they has given directions to our group as to how to reach the base village of Alang. Our Org group planned to travel and hire via a tempo traveller which was a 15 seater. We were 12 colleagues who had participated in this trek.

My gear

Beginning of the journey

As this was a trek in the Nashik range of Alang Madan Kulang forts and near Kalsubai, we had to travel overnight from Pune. We started after work and few of the colleagues started from the office location. Me too had packed the bag and kept it ready to board from office location to avoid wasting time for pick-ups. We started at 8pm IST from Pune. The route we took was as follows.

We had decided to only stop for minor natural breaks and not stop for dinner or any snacks related stops. We had 2 stops on the way, once near Narayangaon for tea and bio break and the second post Rajur.

Reaching the base village

We reached the base village of Alang wadi at 1am IST and we immediately had our dinner in the Varanda of the villager we were going to use as guide.

Midnight dinner at 1am at Alang Wadi

As soon as we completed our early morning dinner :), we were greeted by the Offbeat Sahyadri Trekkers and the other team members who had travelled from Mumbai.

Late Night Briefing

After the team meeting, we were off to sleep and we were not going to get more than 3-4 hrs of sleep that night. It was 5.30am and we got our wake-up call. It was a chilly morning of Feb 2013 and we had to scamper around for our morning bio breaks.

First rays of light and AMK in sight

View of AMK at 6.43am IST

Team rearranging the gear and reloading for the climb which was about to beging

My gear

With the first water break done the team started marching ahead.

We were to climb this ridge and then climb left wards towards Alang and then Traverse Back to Madan. Our plan was to climb towards the Traverse, unload our backs, complete the Mandan trek and move towards Alang as we had to stay in the caves at Alang.

Madangad standing tall

While climbing towards the ridge of Alang, one has to traverse through a lot of Katal Vegetation. 

At the ridge tri-junction, one comes across a carving in the wall which showcases the route for Alang Madan and Kulang. The route between Alang and Madan is doable, but the route to Kulang is not that direct.

Marking and Carving on the wall

Break and onwards towards Alang

We had climbed continuously for 2 hours now and the team leads asked us to take a 10 mins break from climbing.

Our team taking a break

After the break we begin the climb and at every step we had to be very sure of our footing as we would fall down and there was no place to hold on to anything.

Steps onwards towards Alang

The climb is pretty straight and around 60 degrees

The scene is pretty overwhelming for trekkers as well because, once you come out of the Katal region, you are confronted by a climb of around 200 to 300 ft which straight and you are carrying load with you.

Sear rockface of Alang

Reaching the 1st phase of the climbing

After climbing till around 8.45am IST we had reached the 1st patch where we needed rope assistance. Climbing without rope was possible but the safer way was rope. We had traffic around here as based on our booking we were climbing as per groups.

As breakfast, we were given each one of us, the boxes of bhel to eat

Bhel Box

This click is after I climbed Alang first patch without harness.... I just held the rope in the left hand and pulled my self...carried my own bag too...a 15 kg one.

Harness attachment and Trek from Alang to Madan
We were asked to carry our harnesses and then pass one once we had completed the route

Harness was needed as the falls were deadly and direct. A view of one such fall

Me waiting for my turn to traverse to the other side to Madan

Alang and Madan Connecting Ridge

View of Kalsubai Mountain - Cone at the top mountain

Traversing to Madan

Steps at Madan

Tight Stairs 

Sweat and Dizziness

Strapped On and ready for my Turn

The view before me

Everyone tucked in and close

Me crossing over - Only the rope and harness as the guide here

Climbing onto Mandan

We had a rope ladder attached and we had to climb the same to reach Madan top. It was fun climbing as it reminded me of by NCC and army prep days as well as the NCC camps that I had attended.

The view of the Kulang Fort before my turn.

My turn to climb and this is how it looked

From Madan Top you could clearly see the Alang Top. Of the three, Alang, Mandan and Kulang, Mandan is the tallest.

Another view of Alang and its enormous extent

On the top of Madan fort, there is very limited space and limited reminiscence of the fort remaining. There were couple of water tanks on the fort, but the water was not portable.

Kulang Fort Visible

To go towards Kulang, one has to traverse and circumvent towards Kulang. There is small mountain structure which needs to be traverse to reach towards Kulang.

Descending from Madan

Climbing Alang
Whatever 2 day food we had carried (dried) we took it out as lunch and had it in between the Mandan descend and Alang climb. The team was setting up the ascend to Alang

Rope Ladder and Guide Rope 

Took us till 8pm IST to climb

To ascend the entire team of trekkers it took us from 5pm IST to 8pm IST to climb. We had divided the team in 2 parts so that the climbers who had already climbed start fire and food preps. We first settled down in the Cave and made our bedding for our team. The caves were full of rats as this cave is visited often by trekkers and small food particles attract them.

Post the food prep, we were rationed the food and as it needs to be available for all the trekkers who are atop the fort. 

Our Rationed Food

We completed having our dinner by 11pm IST and the entire team of trekkers were fast asleep. As soon as we were asleep at around 1am IST a trekkers shouted very loudly and ran outside the cave extremely fast and within no time all the trekkers had their torches out and flashing them against each other. The one who shouted later mentioned to the team that a rat had climbed his chest and he was afraid of what was on his chest and ran out.

The next morning

We all were up by 5am and after our bio breaks we went to explore the fort.

First rays of the sun over the horizon 

Sunrise

Game of Shadows

Morning Chai

Morning 1 by 3 Maggi

Commando Abhijit

Caves in which we stayed

It was time for us to leave so we packed up and were taking pics as we did not know how long it would take us to visit the fort again. While descending from Alang this time we had to reverse and descend downwards.

Hardly any space

Thats all folks for this time. It was one of most adventurous trek that I completed and enjoyed.

Meet you all in the next journey. Happy reading, until next time.

Abhijit More

Pune