Life Lessons I learnt from Suits in 2018

Any of you who pause to read it need no introduction to Suits, its iconic central character Harvey Spector, the protagonist Mike Ross, inspirational Jessica Pearson, Donna, Louis or Rachel. Down below, I am penning down my thoughts and learnings from the parts and quotes of Suits that have resonated with me the most this year. I have leaned towards them when faced with complex choices, when at crossroads, when going is tough and rough (which has been a lot this year) and when I need a dash of “carpe diem”.

1. You always have a choice - Even when at times I feel cornered and there are no new door to knock and drought of ideas and energy, there is always a way. When Harvey asks Mike - What are your choices, when someone points a gun at your and he replies - You do what they say or they shoot you. Harvey scoffs and say - Wrong. You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one or you call their bluff or you do any one of a hundred and forty six other things. My takeaway here has been to stay solution oriented. The trick is just to remember this, there is always a choice, when it matters the most.
2. Every day is a hustle, Do I get tired, Hell yes, Do I give up - No! - There are massive roadblocks and challenges all the time. Sometimes the way ahead is clear and just needs accelerations and other days its fraught with landmines. I have learnt that its better to move ahead always, momentum is important, try and follow the principal of Inertia of Motion. There’s always time later to cut losses, make amends, ask for forgiveness than to wait for permission to take the next step forward. As Harvey says - I don’t have time for slow folks, we don’t speak the same language. 
3. Only time “success” comes before “work” is in the dictionary - Its great to get inspired by successful people, read endless stories and blogs of their tribulations and triumphs but in the end, when all is said and done and the curtains are coming down, its I who has to gear up, get up and go, every single time. I will have to lead, success will merely follow. 
4. Most people live life down here, I like to live life up here - All Suits fan have seen and reseen this scene several times! Have lofty aspirations but be willing to work in the trenches. In my newer avatar I work across the range of activities, at times introduce myself as the “one” who does everything: from a doorman to a chairman! Only way to spring up is to hit rock bottom. 
5. Don’t raise your voice, Improve your argument - One of my favourite. Often those is position of power, retort of raising their voice, want to get the last word in, force acceptance. But you know what, I respect and follow those who showed me the path, told me their stories, mentored and coached me as I stumbled into and onto unknown terrains. Respect can never be demanded, always has to earned. As I journey ahead, I have vowed to support as many as I can, in any which way as I can. A nudge is all anyone ever needs. 
6. Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself - So inspired have I been with this that I have been running an personal social experiment around this for nearly an year now. Never randomly pass my visiting cards around but create enough traction for the person to ask me for my co-ordinates. Share insights and inputs about the industry, business, their challenges that opportunities that they often want to know more of what I do…In my chosen field of work, am trying to get to where I don’t have to say who I am. Tough ask of self, but a huge driver of self motivation.
7. I win, thats what I do - Harvey Spector is epitome of self belief. His self worth (calls himself the best closer in town of NYC) almost bordering on arrogance many a times, supreme confidence, focus on appearances, words, actions are legendary. He is a battle hardened veteran of corporate and boardroom wars and carries his scars with pride and the knowledge that “been there, done that”. Am learning to hone my skills of self fulling prophecy. As I believe, so shall it can be, will be. 
8. Don’t play the odds, Play the man - Truly iconic quote. Harvey Specter is legendary in the way he reads emotions of people around him, how he orchestrates people based on their known patterns of behaviours. I don’t have Harvey’s psychic instinct but have build enough domain knowledge backed by experiences to practice this: at times openly and at times covertly. 
9. There’s a difference. You wanna lose small, I wanna win big! - Learnt this a while ago. Its ok to lose small battles, look beyond turf issues, overcome irrational emotions as “mental energy is limited” and it conservation is critical to me. When ammunition is limited as for a entrepreneur it always is, its survival to focus on the big rocks, the big idea, the 10X impact. 
10. I am not going to cower in some corner trying to convince them that I’m friendly. I’m gonna kick ass and remind them that I’m fierce - This is one I have imprinted on my soul. Jessica Pearson when backed against the wall, says this and then goes on to create hell to hold onto what’s rightfully belongs to her. Am inspired by her grit and determination, her story of rising, coming from nowhere really & being calm and confidant no matter what. Alongside acknowledging the fact, that “When you work with tigers, once is a while they’re gonna take a swipe at you”. Learning to deal with that too.

With this, I sign off and like me, hope you too - Just got LITT UP : -) Happy 2019