How to Plan for the Future?

#JEEVANPRAVAAS ( A Unique Life Journey of each...) How should a youth #plan for his or her #future ? What are the #takeaways that can be used by the #youth as they get prepared to face the world?

When I ponder over my past years, preparing for the #iitjee to get into #IIT and I ask myself this question: Why was I so keen into getting into IIT, when I was in my 10th Standard in 1987? The only answer I get is "#fear of being left out as a 'non professional' worker in a small one horse town called "Bareilly" in Uttar Pradesh, where we were cut off from the metro cities and those were the days with no internet or even a phone in most homes. So, we had no clue of any other options to choose. Yes, anyone doing a normal B.Sc or B.A. or B.Com program was "non-professional" and supposedly the "losers", the winners were the ones who got selected in a #professional course like Engineering or Medical or Chartered Accountancy. The second aspect was that since my academic records was "above average", I was made to believe that I could be in the top elite IIT gang. It was a dream to crack the IIT JEE exam and I earnestly prepared for this for full 2 years of my life, without thinking of anything else. Did I crack it? NO!! Was I a #failure or a #success ? I leave that #judgement to you. Everyone has a varied definition of success. Is it a #destination or a #journey ? I have been through the stage where my #expectations and #dreams were shattered overnight, as the results came in and my heart skipped a beat, when I couldn't see my number in the newspaper. Incidentally, I was in the SSB center on that day, attempting to join the Naval Engineering Course. One door closed, another window opened, as I made it through the SSB, for which I was completely ill-prepared. I was surprised as to how a studious boy with least physical abilities, could be selected for the defence forces. Well, such is the game of life!!

Well, as luck would have it, the future was something that I had never dreamt of, becoming a Naval Engineering Officer, submariner, Engineering system designer in my first innings and a Mentor for youth and professionals in my second innings which is still going on. The same physically weak boy becomes an #ultramarathoner and also a #trainer and #coach for beginners in long distance running, which I still continue to do. The Universe has it's ways and life teaches us invaluable lessons as we pass through various stages.

Key takeaways of mine which I would like to pass on to the youth as they plan for the future:-

(a) Don't be driven by "Fear", get driven by "Passion" or "Interest" . Love what you do and Do what you love. Choose your path in life accordingly.

(b) Whatever you plan for, be ready for surprises and changes in the last minute. Change is the only constant, and embrace uncertainty as the only reality.

(c) Learn "Resilience", the art of bouncing back from any failure or setback- the best skill or attitude to hone and have in life. Build a strong belief system in your own strengths.

(d) Nothing or nobody is indispensable, world goes on whether you are there or not, so don't fool yourself to believe that you are too important for any organization. Be important for yourself first and build your "own real identity" other than the one the organization gave you.

(e) Learning never ends, be ready to start learning new things at any stage of your life.

(f) Spend more time with people whom you would like to emulate and be like, avoid staying with people who judge you or belittle you ( gaslighters).

(g) Everyone changes with time, our thoughts too change, so what you like or love today, may be hated by you some other day, so don't plan too far, enjoy the process of the moment and create "good memories" that you can cherish through your life.

(h) Give your health, both physical and mental, as much priority as the wealth you are focusing on creating.

(j) Build an inventory of good habits that you can sustain for long. Don't do anything in extremes.

(k) Be childlike and laugh loudly as many times you can in a day, it is actually therapeutic.

Life is a drama with many role plays with too many varied acts and plays, each stage of life will throw it's newly directed script at you, and you have to be ready to play. So enjoy every moment while it lasts. Do What You Love and Love What you Do. This is the essence of "Jeevan Pravaas" ( a unique Life Journey of each).