RETIREMENT AT SEVENTEEN
“It doesn’t matter how
great your shoes are,
if you don’t
accomplish anything in them.”
Martina Boone
There is one
quality in you, which, even the toughest competition in life won’t be able to
make you jobless... And, that quality is your willingness to work hard...
Did I say, ‘work
hard’?
Well, I meet
many, many young ones – every day. And, all of them want to shine in life. Yes,
succeed in life. But, how much hard work are they willing to put?
Hardly...
Most of them
want it quick... They ‘wish’... and, it remains only a wishful thinking...
When I stress,
that Success should come in direct proportion to one’s goals, determination,
perseverance, and, above all, hard work... that, one should be willing to
sacrifice, wait, learn and adjust... Yes, I stress it from the belief, that
this approach can never be old-fashioned.
When I learnt it
through Napoleon Hill’s philosophy, I instantaneously imbibed in me one lesson
of his: ‘Work more than what you are paid for’...
And, today, when
I try to pass on this lesson to young men, I can unmistakably sense the
resistance... “Sorry, that doesn’t work in today’s competitive world,” I hear
them say.
“Dude, that’s
the only tool available to beat competition,” I tell them, “work more than what
you are paid for... Be willing to stay hungry and stay foolish.”
No... For the
majority of young men and women, it seems – “Seeing is believing.”
“Show me the
money first... Then, I will believe you.”
I call this
man ‘Chacha’... He goes around our locality on his bicycle selling phenyl,
Harpic, naphthalene balls and other bathroom requirements. He has been
supplying them to my workplace for over twenty years. He is persuasive,
persistent, focused. Even if I say, “Chacha, there is stock; will buy
next time,” he is not going to go back without changing your mind. Even if you
yell at him, he will only smile back, stay put there... He will leave the items
there and peddle off... After a couple of days, he will appear with a generous
greeting. You are disarmed... and goes Chacha, making you wonder how he
can teach a lesson or two in salesmanship and success – yes, to our MBA
aspirants...
Today, Chacha
appeared, once again. There’s renovation work in progress and none of Chacha’s
products were needed presently. Before even I could open my mouth to say, “Not
today, Chacha,” I heard his announcement, “I will be completing 84
tomorrow... I want your good wishes.”
I bought a
couple of products, saying not a word!
“How many years
you have been doing this, Chacha?” I asked.
“I was 5 when my
parents were forced out of Pakistan and sheltered in refugee camps here. I have
been selling these things, going around on my bicycle, ever since I was a young
boy.”
“Any plans to
retire?”
“No, no.”
A young boy was
listening to this conversation. He had come to enquire about our upcoming summer
programme on ‘Personality Development’... On giving him details about its
duration (two months), he had reacted, “Sir, two months? It’s so hot out
there... This place is so far (one kilometer from his place!)...”
So, after Chacha
left, I asked the young boy, “How old are you, dear?”
“17.”
“Any plans to
retire?”
“If wishes were horses, even beggars
would ride them.”
Hard work?
Hardly any work,
Sir.
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic’s: 1. Pixabay/Lolame 2. Vikas Prajapati
Video: How to Survive Show
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