Themes -- 2009

If the first day of the year is symbiotic of days to follow in New Year, I am glad I am in 2009. I am more relaxed than ever today, curious than before, and away from daily arguments that conspire against me. I simply like my current state of mind and hope coming times are equally soothing.

I look forward at 2009 and hope to measure my success at the end of year through different and varied parameters as compared to 2008. Last year, I was more focused on securing good career and financial security for myself, my sister, and my family. Glad that I achieved all my seemingly ambitious goals, I envision year 2009 will be focused in re-inventing the elements that I lost somewhere and setting up certain crucial new elements. Some of the themes for this year are:

Healthier 2009 – This one is the most important– to inculcate habits that promote healthier self. My past activities didn’t warrant enough time and many times it was just procrastination to not hit Gym / Yoga etc. I used the excuses of not having enough time, other high priorities etc. Now onwards, this one is right at the top and forever. I will continue to be involved in at least one among the many identified activities such as Gym / Yoga / Running / Dancing / Sports (Cricket, Long Tennis Squash). Further, I will live this adage forever “Never Ever a puff again”. I am sure all these activities will continue to add new colors to my life.

Poorer 2009 – This year is certainly going to be pretty poor year. If you are quitting your job the very first day of a New Year, what else can you expect. Yeah, I will be putting down my papers on the first working day of the Year 2009 to join ISB in April. Certainly, I wouldn’t be earning close to what I have been able to do in past years. Therefore, it calls for taking steps of better management of resources and financials. The game is getting bigger now and it calls for caution in some areas and aggression in other. Would be fun!!!!

Happier 2009 –I have realized the importance of maintaining balance between professional and personal lives. Of course professional achievements are the cornerstone of a happier life as well as high on agenda for this year as always. Yet, I am not making a whole separate theme since objective is to look at professional aspects as one among many aspects of a happier life. The imbalance in past has cost me dear. This year, I am definitely going to cover up by doing things that I always put on hold in past – be it taking my parents on a flight, increasingly hitting the list of places I have made to visit, or by simply re-inventing the stupid little things I always enjoyed.

Generous 2009 – With the theme Poorer in place, how do I justify this? The answer is that my generosity to social causes will continue to be my skills and time rather than financial resources. I strongly believe each human wants to help others. The only thing missing is a platform to utilize that human tendency through initiative, innovation, and leadership. I wish to progress and build over the tiny little steps I have taken so far. I am deeply inspired by Bill Gates’s speech at Harvard Class Commencement that gave me a whole new direction. He emphasized each Harvard graduate to identify one inequality in the society, find out the real problem, implement solutions, and oversee the results – a professional approach. His words “I hope by end of your life, you will not simply evaluate yourself based on your professional success” -- ROCK!!!
Heads up: The social inequality that I have already identified is “Education” (Will go into ‘Why’s later). 2009 will be my platform for my commitment to improve something in Education.

Of course there are number of very specific milestones that I hope to accomplish this year but all those fit into one or the other theme. Looking back at what I have come up, I am pretty satisfied with the direction I am going to take. Amen!!! Lastly and most importantly, I look forward to have you, my reader, as a part of my story. 