Motorcyclists who have an enthusiasm for long distance rides have long been saying that enjoying the ride is the most important thing when they set out for a country-wide trip. However, racers, who jockey for the top ranks, believe that finishing first would be the priority. So, which one among the two should be the priority for us employees?
It has become quite customary for us to find ourselves awake, with bloated and sleep-deprived eyes, to the glaring rays of the scorching sun, and the alarming squeak of a desperate office-goer who is petrified of the disgruntled boss. We see the endearing charm in the faces of our spouses and our children, who manoeuvre for attention. As we wade through this sea of emotions, we stumble upon the incessant thoughts of getting physically fit and having a healthy breakfast. What should I do? Go to the gym? Play with my child? Talk to my wife about the monthly bills? This is how we feel when we step out of our home, leaving behind personal targets that are always elusive.
As we step into our offices, numerous thoughts fill our minds: The vigilant boss, the jealous co- worker, the forever irritating subordinate who never learns, the targets that never seem to be reached, the daily reports that we send with a weary mind, knowing that half of the data is fake. Having all this junk in our minds, is it really possible to think about enjoying the ride or even envisaging the destination that gives us happiness?
The destination can always be reached and the ride can also be enjoyed! It depends on the decisions we take and the effort we put in our work. You see your boss staring at you? Give him or her a sparkling hello. You find that your co-worker is spying on you? Pat him on his back and offer him a dinner. You feel that your targets build pressure on you? Try being honest, admit your mistakes. You will realise that you are actually not that bad. You see your subordinate coming to you with sunken eyes, having done one of his common mistakes? Tell him that doing good gains trust, and demonstrate the same in your life. Your monthly destination smiles at you cruelly? Reply that you are not actually thinking about it but enjoying the ride.
This way, the ride becomes enjoyable and eventually, the destination becomes a reality. You will understand that success is hardly about mere figures or scores, but how you lived each minute of the day.
- The reader an English language expert, based in the UAE.
