Our work has a tendency to eclipse the rest of our identity. We introduce ourselves to others by saying, “I’m a lawyer,” or “I’m a banker,” and sometimes forget that we are actually so much more. Professional achievement is important, but it’s dependent on a more fundamental sort of success. In today’s fast paced work place, because of the emphasis on IT and the whole transformation that’s taking place, people are constantly in a rush. They have to manage family life, work, health, interpersonal relationships and a host of other complications. Because of our fixation on the items that are immediately pending, we lose sight of the things that really count, and that provide us with the energy and purpose for our work. Through my career, I’ve constantly attempted to find a balance between the immediate and the permanent, between the ephemerally important, and the things that count in the long run. Here are a few lessons that I’ve learnt – and that I’m still learning.
Beauty in Chaos

With all the pressure at work, I constantly need to focus on three core areas: The Self, family, and friends. Ultimately, I draw all the energy I need to work from these sources. It begins with the “Self.” I think I’ve been influenced more – consciously and subconsciously – by the Eastern concept of Self than the Western. The Eastern concept, to me, is more holistic, and is comfortable with chaos. It accepts chaos as part of life. Growing up in India, your eye sees an Indian mosaic of disparate things. You see placid water buffaloes and a swank Mercedes on a dirt road, with little kids gawking at its gleaming exterior. The colorful drama is played out in front of you. There’s variety and of course, constant chaos. Yet you feel comfortable in the midst of this – people eat in the streets, they enjoy their environment. In the West, everything seems compartmentalized. People associate with people their own age, their own type, and organize playgroups for their kids. In India, you cut diagonally across these lines. The elderly tell stories to children and if you miss the bus, you just hop on to your friend’s scooter. You’re a part of everybody’s life, and not just in your own compartment. I believe these images have played an important role in my adult life. They teach you to live with chaos, to realize that life has its ups and downs. And it’s not always very structured. Having learnt to appreciate these instances of chaos has given me a great sense of comfort in trying times.

Do Your Work, Through Thick and Thin