2006, just like last two years, was a landmark year for me. It was one of those years which I will always remember. For example, if I was asked what was special about 1994, or 1999, or 2002, I can barely remember anything from those years. But 2006 was different. "2006" will always evoke many many memories for me - but that is not the point of this post.
Towards the end of 2003, life had started to get into a rut. Everything seemed too comfortable and predictable. At the end of 2002, I could have forecasted with great accuracy how 2003 would go. I could have told you who are the people I would be hanging out with, who are the people I will be working with, what kind of raise I will get at work, what time of the year I will visit India etc. The same thing happened at the end of 2003 too when looking back, I realized it was an "OK" year which went pretty much as predicted. And frankly, the next one was going to be pretty much identical. So at the end of 2003 I had resolved that I will celebrate the next New Year's eve in India. I was craving for change. I was dying for some excitement and unpredictability in life.
Well, as the wise men have said - be careful of what you wish for, you might actually get it!
Year end of 2004 was when Ashish and I had just met Marc and were working hard on proving ourselves. I guess the seeds of Tekriti were sown at that time. On new year's eve 2005, we had no idea of how the next year was going to go. We honestly had no idea of what was coming next. It was thrilling. So 2005 came and went like a whirlwind and indeed we could have never predicted that the year would turn out like it actually did. On Jan 1 2006, Manish and I were stranded at the Mumbai airport and got disucssing how 2006 would be. We knew it was an important year (and which year isn't) but again at that time, it was hard to say where we would be in an year's time. So, my wish from 2 years back continued to come true. And in all honesty, I have enjoyed, and even thrived in the excitement of the unknown. Human nature is to gain inertia and settle in a comfort zone as soon as possible. Hence it is a challenge to keep oneself outside of a comfort zone and continue to deal with uncertainty on a prolonged basis.
So as I wish you a Very Happy New Year 2007, I will myself not make any wishes for the new year- who knows which ones might come true :)
Happy New Year, hope to see you soon!
"Hence it is a challenge to keep oneself outside of a comfort zone and continue to deal with uncertainty on a prolonged basis".
That is certainly very true and your life certainly becomes very predictable and boring after a few years on the job. But my question is "for how long should one try and keep oneself outside the comfort zone,when does it end".
Btw Wish You a Happy New Year 2007
Gaurav, I've been a long time reader of your blog. What you write is very inspiring and has helped me to remain ambitious. Looking at your current life it is definitely more rewarding/exciting than being comfortable as a SDE in MS. Hapy new year, keep up the spirit and we all look forward to you and Ashish taking your company to new heights!
Only constant in life is CHANGE and only learning required is effective Management of Change.You have shown to many how to manage change. You were thrilled during 2006 as you had experiencd boredom in 2003.Well opposite values are complementary One of the AOL Learnings.
WISHING YOU ALL AT TEKRITI A VERY HAPPY RATHER THRILLING, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS 2007
"Change your thoughts and you change your destiny."
The wise men have rightly said to be careful of what you wish for, you might actually get it :-)
Wish you a New Year that leads you towards your true goal in life.
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
Rest of the world stays up to enjoy the transition!
Wish you loads of success this year.
I was hoping to be in India over the Holidays and celebrate the NEW YEAR's EVE in Gurgaon, but work kept me back here - again. That's why you didn't hear from me. I will call you if I "ever" get there. We will break some bread together and talk about where you are going.
Most awards, you know, they don't give you unless you go and get them.
I wish a very Happy & Prosperous New Year to Gaurav & all the readers of Tekriti.
HI Gaurav! As is usual, quite an absorbing post on your blog and yeah you better not plan any changes regards this..like everyone else I sure wish you all good luck with Tekriti and all but yeah special good wishes for the writer in you...looking forward to your book (whenever you decide to write one..)..
Dear GURAV
I HAVE READ YOU ENTIRE NEW YEAR MESSAGE.I LIKED IT .ITS LOVELY. YOUR IDEAS ARE GREAT
I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT YOU.BUT IT SEEMS I KNOW YOU.IF YOU KNOW ME PLEASE INFORM ME