Lockdown is an opportunity to introspect, internalise and transform, not to get panicked.

Yesterday, when this above picture appeared on my FB timeline after eight years, I thought I must share the story behind this image with you because it is still relevant today.

This is the exact time that want us to 'PAUSE' on a micro and macro level both whether you are an employee or employer or entrepreneur or freelancer. Unfortunately, we have never been taught to embrace uncertainty in our schools or colleges or even in the job and manage it in way that transforms us. Today, we have become more hyper reactive therefore we get panicked in the crisis easily and react badly. We look for quick fixes.We look for JUGAD (The much admired and celebrated word in Business circuit and in the pop culture) The good news is there is no quick fixes in life. None to be precise.

Coming back to the story of the above photograph that I had taken in Goa during April 2012 while I was with Leo Burnett then. It was the time of GoaFest. The south side of the city was crowded with Advertising folks, basking in glory of GoaFest (India’s biggest advertising award show) and there I was on crossroads. I was asking many questions but was afraid to ask for the help. I was panicking big time for my next move and I was not sure whether I want to continue in the same industry that has given me security, recognition and of course money to survive. I was looking for something beyond. I was looking for quick fixes. But the only good thing I did during that time is I gradually identified problems first which was coming in my way. Deep down, I wanted to transform myself from being mere resource to a full fledged self sustained professional, not to impress anyone but to taste my limits. And a question occurred to me as I was in the business of changing behaviours but when was the last time I changed my behaviour for the better? This triggered a series of more pain points that I was going through…

1. I was extremely introvert. This is why I have a limited social circle and it doesn’t help me network with people.

2. I was doing things to impress someone not to grow self.

3. I need to up my foreign language (Read English) communication skills.

because I was being judged. It also restricted me more ways than one.

4. I felt I am not enough.

5. I also felt there is no one to help me.

If you read all the above, these were the sort of 'SELF DOUBTED TALK' that can be easily considered 'SELF CRITIQUE’. While reflecting, one need to know the difference between 'SELF ACTUALISATION' and 'SELF CRITICISING’. This is imperative to decipher the difference between the two in order to remain positive, open and inspired to seek answers.

It all happened while I was fairly doing well in my career, but somewhere something was not right. Exactly after six months I moved on from advertising agency. I put in my paper the very day when one of the business from a client that I had worked on and had led the pitch, confirmed their business through a mail. I was not sure for my next move and it became a self isolation for almost eight months, reading, learning, asking and doing sporadic assignments. It has its own side effects of being a single breadwinner of my family. Of course, it created a panic, a war cry situation at times. There was all sorts of quick fixes I used initially but there was no respite as expected. I observed closely...

6. If we lack 'SELF AWARENESS’, every kind of difficulty starts looking like it is going to be forever. It’s an act of ignorant mind that feeds fear to survive.

7. When ever there is unprecedented situation, we start asking 'WHY ME?' rather than asking 'WHY NOT ME?'

8. We tend to blame our situation, people and focus on the problems rather than focusing on the solutions.

I went through my fair share of insecurities. I had forgotten that after continuous 12 years of shifting agencies, home and two cities, I was needed to 'PAUSE’. The push to climb upward needed to given a much needed rest. I was aware of the fact that in the pop culture, it will be not seen as the symbol of success and future employer would be asking random questions without understanding its importance. But here I was with my self imposed, self isolation to figure out my next course of action. Yes, I needed to introspect and embrace uncertainty that helps me transform. I needed challenges that doesn’t limit me and my skill sets but allow me to add value. I needed someone to trust me to make me fly. And you know what, I was looking for all these invaluable things outside. Yes, I was looking for answers outside until I found my answers inside in my reflection.

Here is what I found…

9. See things the way they are, not the way you want to see. This is the crux of the game.

10. Trust your ability first and foremost to spread it to others.

11. When you don’t introspect often, you fail often.

12. Take the responsibility of self. Responsibility is all about ability to respond, not just to react.

13. Being failed is wonderful. Because it shows that you tried.

14. Uncertainty is permanent. This is why life is beautiful. Embrace it with grace.

15. Learn one new skill to create a passive income.

16. Connect with people with different skill sets. Challenge your inertia. Seek help. And do help.

17. Focus. Focus. Focus.

18. Be agile. Be grateful. Always.

When I looked at this image I realised Mother Nature has forced us to ’PAUSE' on macro level to realise, reflect, repurpose to create impact, not getting panicked in this unprecedented pandemic. We know the world will be not the same again post Covid 19. If I am not wrong, the life is back to basics. The people have understood the value of necessary things in life. Our ability to create a better world has maximised manifold. I believe, the opulence of minimalistic lifestyle is going to stay forever. I see it an opportunity to practice patience, perseverance and productivity with humanity. If we are still not learning from it, it is the loss of our future generation. Amen.

Stay safe. Stay at home.

Rupesh Kashyap

Founder-CCO

FNW STUDIO

Strategy. Stories. Studio.

+91 9920817528

Ex ECD, Disney+hotstar