Art-of-Learning

How do we learn?

Answer is simple. We learn from our mistakes.

We may conclude- “All is well that ends well” or even before it “ends well”, we start introspecting. Questions like, “Where did I went wrong? What could have been done differently?”.

But the moral of the story is not generally so straight forward. We do not conclude that these were the reasons of our success. Rather we learn – these were the reasons which were stopping me from being successful.

Many would agree the idea of success is a controversial one.

Some say success is achieving your goals and living your dreams. Others may argue, taking the non-convention path and making your own unique story takes you to success.

Regardless of which path we take, it is rare that success comes along easy. People say that do what you love and then dots will connect automatically. People tend to over-believe in whole concept of “connecting the dots”. You create your own fate and its your hard-work which will pay you back, not some super-natural force.

Even Steve jobs himself, who supposedly coined this phrase of ‘connecting the dots’, he did not leave the university, but instead stayed there as a drop-out and worked hard. Its his efforts which fetched him the success and in turn “connected the dots”.

Unlike the courses and syllabus we learn in high school, learning from real life experiences is not that difficult. We have no pressure to mug up instances as to what to do when, it comes naturally, instinctively. Like “C” comes after “B”. If we face a situation once again, we’ll know ‘what not to do’ and most of the times that will pay off.

So maybe, we can start taking risks – calculated risks. Take up a new job, make a new investment, pick up a new hobby, start stopping by at different supermarket or buy a different brand of a product. At the max what can happen – we will be wrong. So at least we’ll know this was wrong. We won’t regret that we never tried it.

Imagine what would be today’s world if Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg had not dropped their normal course of life and taken up this one. They took a risk, they must have made mistakes, but they never hesitated in burning the night oil, they never hesitated in changing themselves whenever required and most importantly, they had a dream on which they never gave up.

History is full of instances, where people made mistakes, but rolled up their sleeves and learnt from them.

It’s time we do too.

D.R.E.A.M.S

They are either seen
1. With closed eyes
2. With open eyes (more commonly known as day dreaming)
3. With open eyes and a vision of practicality

I would be lying if I say I did not dream in all the three categories. 

Well firstly, the dreams with closed eyes are involuntary. So it is not in my hands to control dreaming. And more often than usual, I forgot those. A few may count Deja Vu somewhere between dreams and reality.

The second category of daydreaming is vastly famous in all mankind. Yes, the female clan have all dreamt about the victory speech after winning a beauty pageant. For more dorky types, maybe the Nobel Prize acceptance speech. For the creative ones, an Oscar or National Award. And for men, or in general, a speech after a token of appreciation is presented. Or after the girl they like says “Yes” 😉

So there is no hiding in that, this category of dreams are for fun only. To let our imaginations run wild. To bring a famous personality in conversation with us. Or to merely imagine how world would have been different if I did not do this, or if I did that. Basically, imagine all the routes not taken, all the journeys not done, all the accomplishments not achieved. We get them here. Dreaming with open eyes.

Then again, there is the last category. A more serious one. They’re more like interview questions. Where do you see yourself down the land in 3 yrs. Or do you see yourself as a manager of this company. Or what are your short and long-term goals. 
These all, we see with a practicality. Unless we belong to age group of 5-15. Because for them, even the “serious” dreams include lists like I want to be a teacher/doctor/engineer/pilot. Those are imbibed in us due to our surroundings, peers and family.

These tender dreams we see at such a young age, evolve. Till they no longer even resemble their roots. An exception maybe, if X wanted to be a teacher, and he did masters in technology which basically qualifies him as an engineer but also opens a teaching opportunity, thus fulfilling his dream. *applause*

Others nurture their dreams, make them more relevant to the present and reality, and work upon them step by step. Many achieve it, eventually. Others, obviously we haven’t heard about them, since they dint achieve anything.

What comes in between our dreams becoming reality depends on numerous factors. Firstly, its feasibility. Secondly, availability of required inputs. And thirdly, time frame.

For instance, I have a dream to build an orphanage, I should first make sure its a feasible project. No I don’t want to start with 200 people at once. Only people like Diya Mirza, who have a star power and people employed under her to do the work, can dream so big. I dream only with ten people. Next is, the resources. Money, food, shelters, clothes for them. Plus their education allowance/ arrangement for job. To be at a stage where I can support ten people, I should first be at that stage. Which brings us to the third point. Time frame. I do not expect myself to win a lottery and start this venture. It will be my hard-earned money, which comes with time. So keeping a time frame of 20 years is a safe bet. Not to forget, by then I will be supporting my kin as well as my elders.

The most essential part of this dreaming is its vision, since that’s the only substance separating dreaming with open-eyed dreaming.

For example, I also have a dream to publish a book in next 5-8 years. But I really don’t know how to begin, what to write, which style to write in, which language to follow. The more I give it a thought, the more confused I get. Should I go into newspaper first, became an editor, or just proceed with my content and approach a publisher. Where to find a publisher, will my qualifications matter, will my book even sell? I have a dream, but not that strong a vision. But I am not giving up on it. Not yet. Not till I have tried at least.

I hope all the people, who deep inside their hearts want it, achieve it. Maybe we all might not live to see our success, but I am sure Einstein, Shakespeare and Mother Teresa are sitting up there in heaven, smiling away to glory.

Dreaming is important. Its the fist step into achieving. As they say, well begun is half done. 

Quotable Quotes :

 

 

Never borrow never lend, if you want to keep a friend.

I could not agree more. Whoever said beg, borrow, steal was a way out, was not living in today’s world.

We all know a person’s attire gives in a sense of his personality. Many ever believe shoes tell you about a person. In fact, that is the sole reason why candidates appearing for an interview dress their best.

But what if this “look” and “personality” is borrowed? Can you imagine how deceptive it can be!

Because we, in general, are receptive to another persons look and dressing, it may lead us to wrong conclusions if the appearance is faked. And, it won’t be wrong in saying that clothes, make up, footwear and hair style can change the way one looks. Very easily that too.

A perfect example of that being the world of cinema. Actors and actresses adopt various looks for a particular film, which change movie after movie. I still remember our talented Miss World turned actress Priyanka Chopra in the Bollywood movie What’s your Rashee. It depicted Miss PC in 12 different avatars based on the common star signs. And everyone would agree, the make up artist and costume designer did a fantastic job.

And that’s not just about the movie world. In reality too, people carry themselves off as someone else.

For this, let me give a simple example. Girl 1, from a mediocre background, a newly independent citizen. Girl 2, a little better off. For a party, 1 borrows from 2 a dress and a pair of heels. Later, photos of them surface up on Facebook.

Someone had commented on 1‘s incredible dressing sense, how fabulous she looks in a dress, how the dress is completely made for her. 2 was amused by the way 1 floated around after the newly found love of others appreciation. 

For a next event too, 1 borrows her look from 2. Stingy in investing in a dress and presuming borrowing is the best shine out for a night, 1 continued this habit for a continued period of time, over which her financial status was not as middle-class as before. But habits, they say, are hard to let go.

Soon, 2 realized 1 was taking an advantage of her. And without much verbal conflict, the distance between them started growing.

Well, I don’t know how else this story ends, firstly because it’s absolutely fictitious and made up entirely to relate to this topic. Secondly because, it’s about girls. You cannot be sure how they ended things and what their verbal conversation might have been. Also, I took the liberty to exemplify this with girls because I don’t think men fight over these petty issues. (Or maybe I am wrong) 😀

What I believe is, its good to change the way you look or carry yourself. It’s also okay to borrow once in a while, in case of fashion emergencies. But do not depend on others to remake or to create your own personality.

Maybe initially you might get successful in creating an impression you want to, but eventually who you exactly are will surface. 

So invest in yourself. If you cannot buy expensive stuff, at least be presentable with what you can afford. And smile. It makes a huge lot of difference in the way you look.

Cheers.