Arul Gynasegaran’s Post

Retiring early as a couple is a goal shared by many, and if planned comprehensively, it may provide opportunities for travel, passion projects, and more quality time together. Learn more here: https://hubs.la/Q02jvQQt0

As another work anniversary goes by (21 tomorrow) I can’t help taking a moment to reflect on how the workplace and job has developed over the years. When I was growing-up in the industrial West Midlands of England in the seventies, the risk of unemployment was a major topic in every household. A once proud industrial sector was in a nose-dive, shedding jobs in a last-ditch attempt to remain competitive. Many who were approaching the end of their careers, including my father, lost not only their immediate job, but also the chance to use their skills and knowledge again during their lifetimes. As our Danish prime minister is always keen to remind us, such is not the case today. Certainly, it is not at FOSS where it seems the opportunity to work on interesting new areas just keeps on growing. Whether it is a deep-dive with a technology expert or an interview with an industry professional explaining the growing need for actionable test data in their work, it is more obvious by the day that the things we are working with are both topical and relevant. Add a nice teamwork environment, a running club and a gym and the job becomes a playground for ‘sustainable’ content creation with a serious and meaningful edge. It’s a great antidote to those lingering impressions of a different age. Looking at photos of the old factories, the Wolverhampton local paper reports that many of the old buildings from sites such as the once huge Sunbeam motorcycle plant are now back in use for an altogether more modern form of manufacturing.

Retiring early as a couple is a goal shared by many, and if planned comprehensively, it may provide opportunities for travel, passion projects, and more quality time together. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g_kFC5UA

What do I spot just beyond the summer holidays? Grant deadlines! 🥵 How are you planning to disseminate your findings? Obviously through scientific publications and (conference) presentations, but how will you reach out to your target population? How will you ensure that your research has societal impact? ✨ I can help you with that by developing an effective dissemination strategy for you (and your consortium), and with subsequent implementation! Would you like to discuss the possibilities? Send me a DM or an email (✉️ renee@thoughtfulstories.nl). Let’s make some societal impact! Happy summer (holidays)! 😎

2023 was perhaps the hardest year I’ve ever faced in my life so far. Working double shifts and studying for competitive examinations is as tough as it sounds and can be devastating for one’s health, but still, I endured the hardships of this phase of my life. Of course, without my wife’s support, it would have been impossible to keep up. I travelled more than 5 thousand miles taking a number of entrance exams in consulates and embassies across Brazil so I could achieve my dream of becoming part of a foreign affairs team. I failed in all of them, despite hours of study and dedication. At work, the team faced several challenges due to team restructuring and company changes. So, what does all of that tell me? Do I s*ck because I failed time and again? I learned that life is much more complicated than that, and if you want to succeed, you need much more than just effort and luck. I learned that failing doesn’t mean “stop”; instead, it means “keep trying,” “improve your processes.” In 2024, I want to pursue my dreams and keep believing I’m capable of achieving them. One should never stop dreaming and never surrender to setbacks. After all, there will always be another day, another opportunity to learn from one’s mistakes. I like to think of leaf-cutter ants, whose pathways are often disrupted by people’s steps and in spite of all the waste of work, they simply rearrange and rebuild their trail. This is my New Year’s message to all of you! Happy New Year!

The Road, that is taken I recently had an enlightening conversation with a friend that left me pondering the trajectory of our lives. It seems that those who invest effort and dedication early on in their careers are like travellers who take the highway from the start, cruising through life with greater ease and comfort later on—assuming they avoid major missteps along the way. These milestones remind us that the future we envision largely depends on the hard work we put in and the timing of our efforts. Starting early and working diligently can set us on a path to success and fulfilment, creating a foundation for a rewarding career and a prosperous life. So, here’s to those early mornings, late nights, and relentless perseverance—they are the highways to a brighter, more comfortable future. Imagine this: The most energetic and productive years of our lives span from ages 15 to 40. Those who put in the effort early on often secure their bachelor's degrees from prestigious institutions. This early dedication leads to immense experience, a wealth of opportunities, and a fulfilling life surrounded by greater achievements. Those who work diligently to secure placements in esteemed companies or further their education at top colleges, they are the next set of individuals striving to catch the highway they may have missed earlier. Their hard work propels them forward, continuing the journey of growth and success. In the end, it's about taking the highway early on. Here's to hoping we all find our paths and embark on our journeys at the right time.

On assignment in Germany

When I was growing up, we were continuously told to keep both our wins and failures to ourselves because “batho bata go lowa.” You get accepted into university, get a job you are reminded to keep it to yourself, you fail or drop out of school you are sent to the farm or the village so that you do not become the laughingstock of the community. I fully understand where this notion comes from, but I also often wonder if we were taught from an early age to openly speak about our wins and losses if we would not have developed better strategies at coping and celebrating both, without hanging on to what people will say. I am a firm believer in sharing both the good and the bad, with the hope that our story helps someone else. Working on yourself, building a business or a career is hard, and as you go through it you will encounter many good moments and equally bad moments, you will also be criticized but I’ve learnt that both the wins and the losses are some of the key ingredients that shape a winner. For the last 6 years we at The Bulb World have taken so many L’s, and we are grateful for each and everyone of them as they have given us strength to continue in the journey to fulfilling our goal of building Africa’s biggest lighting brand. Whilst the journey is hard, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the following: ✅we are listed in over five thousand (5000) stores across Africa. ✅we have created both permanent and temporary employment. ✅we have been lighting up households, streets and communities since inception. ✅We have completed over 10 CSR projects since inception. ✅And we have increased our product range to twenty-seven (27) since inception. We could never have achieved any of this if we did not have challenges, support, and the will to keep going. We do not share our stories to brag or to get pity, but to give you the courage to dream, the courage to start, the courage to face challenges, the courage to keep moving and build a legacy. If we do not share our stories both the good and the bad, then our light is not bright enough, we would have failed! Please go out there, face your challenges with a smile, ignore the noise, pray, and work hard for your wins 🙏🏾. Happy New Week!

Can you believe it's already March? Time flies when you're pursuing your goals and making an impact. As we embark on this fresh month, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey so far and extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. March represents a new beginning, a time for growth and renewal. It's an opportunity to assess our progress, set new targets, and strive for excellence in everything we do. Let's use this month as a stepping stone towards achieving our professional aspirations and personal growth. I encourage you all to embrace change and embrace challenges. Let's stay adaptable, innovative, and continuously learn new skills that will help us navigate the ever-evolving professional landscape. Together, we can overcome obstacles and reach new heights. I also want to express my gratitude for your continued support and engagement. Your contributions to our professional network have been invaluable, making it a vibrant and inspiring community. Let's keep sharing our knowledge, insights, and experiences to foster collaboration and elevate each other. As we dive into March, let's make it a month of purpose, perseverance, and progress. May it be filled with exciting opportunities, meaningful connections, and remarkable achievements. I look forward to witnessing your accomplishments and celebrating them together. Wishing you all a fantastic month ahead! Let's make it count! 💪 #newmonth #march #goals #growth #professionaldevelopment #inspirational #success #linkedincommunity

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both personal and professional life. But one thing I’ve learned is how important it is to find balance—especially when it comes to nurturing my faith. For me, faith is more than just a personal belief; it’s a source of strength and guidance in everything I do, including my work. Balancing my agama and career has taught me the value of discipline, integrity, and compassion. It helps me stay grounded, focus on what truly matters, and approach challenges with humility and resilience. At the end of the day, success isn’t just about achieving career goals. It’s about finding inner peace, fulfilling our responsibilities, and living with purpose. As part of this journey, I’m about to perform Umrah next month—a chance to reflect, recharge, and return with even more clarity and perspective. Quite nervous but also deeply grateful for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to this spiritual journey, hoping it will help me gain a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose, both personally and professionally.