Walking along IIM-B's barbed-wired 10 ft wall, a ridiculous yet strong thought ran across my head. How do I break in? The answer to this question can be another post, but my train of thoughts had a different destination.

Why do people build a fence around themselves, and more importantly around ideas that they feel can significantly change the game? Is it the fear of encroachment?

The building in itself is of no significance unless it is nurturing change. Isn't it the same with your ideas and you?

Side Note: The only time you would want to put up a fence is when you are sure that you can add absolutely no value to the ecosystem around you. For every other case, there are solutions beyond putting up a fence.

As a kid, I was fascinated by my cousin who could move her ears without moving any other part of her face. I thought she was really cool to be able to do that and no matter how much I tried, I could not do it. The fact was, I never tried enough.

I was never intrigued by it enough to pursue it passionately as my cousin did. I was content being entertained and amused by the act.

Whatever the act is, the question really is, are you passionate about it?

Side Note: And yea, you might amaze others. 

"Mom, I have nothing in my hand (read bank account) but I have this idea that I really love working on and would love to start off on it. I am not sure if its going to be successful, not sure if I am going to make any money out of it, but this is what will allow me to have a content sleep after a tiring day. I might have to survive just on bread, but I am going to be really happy working on it." 

How will most Indian moms react?

- Shocked at the lack of responsibility
- Dismay at the intelligence after the money spent on her kids schooling
- Worried and tensed about her child not choosing to settle in life
- and more and more reactions that we might have faced. 

But if we can't convince our Mom who raised us and knows us more than we do, what conviction are we bringing to the table?

Side Note: Is it really tough to convince your Mom or are you making this an alibi to your fear of failure?

Saw this message in my facebook newsfeed - "Once in a while, ask not what your employer can do for you; ask what you can do for your employer."

I could not stop myself replying with this comment "Just once, ask not what your employee needs to do for you; ask what you need to do for your employee."

Side Note: When you get an honest answer, don't think twice, just do it. You will notice that your employee will stop asking the first question.

All this while you've been:

- binded by the clock
- made to take down notes (from school to board rooms)
- made to believe in job and its security
- tied down by blindly followed processes and systems
- measured up to social norms by social scales
- told to believe in for-profit over for-good role
- made to make your bureaucratic boss happy  
- in a fear to change the things around you (even if you knew changing would benefit you) 
- its great that he did it, but I can't do it
- only measured by your successes and not failures 

Side Note: If you are okay with all of the above, my apologies, but its a shame.

Did you observe two kids communicating with each other? What stands out in their conversation?

Simplicity.

Their message to each other is impactful and the reason is because they keep it simple. It doesn't change when you have 5 or 10 kids. The way they communicate will be far better (in every term) than our boardroom discussions.

Put them in any situation and there is learning that no management guru can give us. They know how to come in control of the situation, how to make the most of the situation and have fun all through. 

Remember, we were kids once. Somewhere down the road, we moved away from being simple humans to being complex beings. 

Let's do this (an excercise that I love to be a part of) - let's take any situation and see if we can come up with a practical yet simple solution.

Side Note: If we can't, let's ask a kid around us.

Even if you are open to learning, unlearning, which is more important (which is why I put it first in the subject) holds the key.

You will hear yourself saying that you are open to learning new things. Little do we realize that it is impossible until we let go of our learnings so far. 

Side Note: If you thought learning new things is difficult, wait until you try unlearning.

If today is your last day in life, would you be doing what you are doing right now.

If yes, you are blessed. 

If not, take a minute and think through this. There is a fear that is lurking inside you. A fear whose enemy is (unfortunately) death.

You allow fear to win every time because you are not confronted with death as often as you are confronted with your fear. That's not going to last too long though, and by the time you realize this, more often than not, its going to be late. 

Side Note: Just for a minute, look at the possibility of beating your fear. Actually doing it is difficult only the first time. 

Difficult
Unfair
Testing
Frustrating
A series of problems
and per the Four Noble Truths that Buddha taught, life is suffering.

But that is what makes us what we are. The discipline that we bring in solving problems, the compassion that we show to people around, and the modesty with which we approach success defines our growth individually.

You can choose to moan over or solve problems. What do you think will help?

Side Note: The opposite road always has less traffic, but remember that it doesn't lead to your destination. We'll keep the road less traveled discussion for some time later.

A friend pinged me today about a new project that he desperately wants me to join and this is what he said "if u have fire u can be a billionaire in 5yrs."

I said, you are talking to the wrong person. Not that I am not interested in the billionaire part (hey, I am not saint), but that's not the reason I pick projects. 

Challenge me or put me on to something that seems to be a crazy ride and you have my attention buddy. 

Side Note: In addition, I hate the if and can part in the whole thing. IF YOU HAVE THE FIRE TO DO THIS SHITTY JOB FOR 5 YRS, YOU CAN BE A BILLIONAIRE. Sounds like a poor ad copy.