Inspiration from Everyday Heroes

More and more I write on LinkedIn, I realize that there is an innate craving in me to share stories. Let's start again with a story.

On Sunday, I was on my way home from a friend's place and I stopped at a gas station to get fuel in my car. To stretch my legs, I walked out of the car and went and stood near the pump to check the reading. I noticed the person who was attending to me - a 60+ year old gentleman, with a long grey-white beard. And then I noticed his I-card which had the image of a very young individual. I asked him - who is that in the picture? Is that you?

He smiled and replied, 'Yes, that's me. A very young version of me!'

I inquired, 'When was this taken? Since when are you employed here?'

He shared that he joined that gas station back in 1970 as a 15-year old and has been working here for the last 50+ years. And yes, at age 65, you do get a white beard and don't look anywhere near your appearance 30-years ago.

I was intrigued! How can one spend 50+ years doing the same job, at the same place and be this content? So I asked, 'What kept you going for all these years?'

He said, 'Through my job and work at the gas station, I have been able to take care of my parents, get married, have kids, educate them and see them raising children. I got food to eat, clothes to wear and meet wonderful people. When all is well, then why do I need to deliberately disrupt the system?'

And that drove the point home!

Now, why am I sharing this story here with you? Well, today (15-mins ago it was still January 15, 2020) I completed 7 glorious years at Mentora. And there have been days when I have asked, 'What I am I doing?' And I am sure in your life and leadership, you ask the same question... well, stories like these should inspire us to keep going.

If you are happy with the growth trajectory that you have at the place where you are, getting to build meaningful relationships and doing work that inspires you in any way, then stay put. You are not making a mistake. And it might sound cliché, but in that place stay hungry and stay foolish!

And I am not going to leave you with this story and my celebrations. I am going to share with you one key takeaway that my life at Mentora has taught me. If you can meet 4/5 of the 5 criteria below, then no one can stop you from being a success -

1. Work smarter (and harder)
2. Value the relationships you build
3. Operate from your heart
4. Learn from your mistakes and from the feedback you receive
5. Believe in your self & never give up

So go out there and move the world. Put dents in the universe. Transform humanity. Achieve the unachievable. Dream the impossible. And while you do all this, stay true to who you are, happily ever after!