In the past few years of corporate life, I attended many trainings. Honestly I don't remember all but few were stuck in my brain like a magnet. 'Campus to Corporate' was one of them. This was arranged to make new joiners comfortable and to teach them the corporate culture. Even today all those feelings, emotions are fresh in my mind as day one. The First job is indeed a special, like a first love.
It was day 2 of the training. We were gathered in a big hall. Sitting Circular in a shape, playing some game activity. The trainer asked one simple question to us - "Name the animal which describes you the best?". As soon as my ears heard this question, my mind pronounced the answer - "peacock". We had to justify so as, I did. Each one answered differently. Somebody said lion, somebody giraffe, somebody owl, somebody elephant and many more varieties.
Years passed. I was volunteering in one of the session. There I got a chance to interact with new joiners. During coffee break we all were chit chatting. That question of animal/bird was still fresh in my mind so I was curious to find new answers in this new batch. Few of them shared their answer. There was one person accompanied with us. he asked me, "what was your answer when you joined the company? Is it still same or changed?" I replied, "Yes, it's, same - Peacock". Hearing this that person asked me, "Do u think u are the most beautiful one?" I didn't understand what to say but somehow managed to reply - "No. Its not the beauty by face. Colorful shades on peacock's feather, makes peacock beautiful. Each color on it has its own identify, own purpose. When I relate my life so far, with those colors, I see myself as peacock. I managed sports, NCC, NSS, elocution , student associations, college events and many other, along with my studies. All these wings made my personality beautiful and allowed me to fly here, in this MNC".
I still remember my batchmates' answers. When I try to identify said animal/bird in their personality, I see this - Lion is still a lion in his domain. He is the king of his technical skills. An Owl is still owl, awakes whole night (he is assigned to USA client). Elephant is still an elephant who has become more healthier now but still a calm & patient person. When I retrospect my 7 year's journey, I ask myself, 'AM I still a Peacock or WAS I peacock?'.
The peacock is gifted with beautiful colors & forms. But at the same time, he has ugly legs. He can't fly high in the sky like eagle. But, do we really care about this? No. We ignore leg's ugliness and enjoys the dance by those legs itself. We ignore heaviness of feathers and happily lost in their bloomed version. If peacock would have flew high in the sky like an eagle, we probably would have not enjoyed its beauty on the ground. When I describe myself as a peacock, I too carry some weaknesses. But I choose to see the different side of it. Of course wherever possible I work hard upon those weakness. I try not to bring them as obstacle in my growth. Rather I try to sharpen my strengths so that people notice them & not judge me on my weakness.
I know 7 years are small to comment on the career but surely its not that small too. There is a long way to go ahead. Many situations will come which will demand new skills, new strengths. But now, I know how to add those colors and make my it more beautiful. I hope this 'Morpheus' in me should remain unaffected in long journey ahead.
While thinking all this, if one asks me what are the top three learning? I would surely answer these:
1. Know yourself better.
2. Don't get distract by other's opinion
3. Sharpen skills regularly to maintain your uniqueness.