The path to the bigger picture - One day at a time

Last few weeks have kept me busy as a bee with examinations and preoccupied thoughts about a two-month long road to the internship. Now, that the journey has started and we have been boarded in the most fun and amicable way possible I realised how I and my batchmates on various other cruises have started developing unexpected motion sickness and to all of them I will like to say 'One day at a Time.'

We have been always told to look at the bigger picture but rarely we have been made to understand the time frame for that vision, to construct that big jigsaw puzzle we need to start putting the smaller pieces together at first. I have no idea what happened to the to-do list for the day concept because all I hear these days is about the mid-review, end review and of course chances of getting an offer. We are getting panicked about what is going to happen after three weeks or 5 weeks that we deliberately sabotage the present day with our anxiety and unrealistic goals. The remembrance of the past which cannot be changed and the worry of the future which is intangible let our present slip by silently.

I believe whenever we are on a long journey or want to put together that big picture, we should take those smaller strides and there are certain tools which I believe can help us take One day at a Time:

1) Deep Breathes: This is my go-to for every issue - panic, anxiety, anger and even happiness. Whenever you think your brain is rushing way too fast and you are losing control, sit, take deep breathes, count till 10 and have a glass of water. Soon after this, use the technique of self-affirmation by saying you can control this and start again.

2) Appreciation for self: Did those morning squats, had a healthy dinner, smoked a cigarette less, drank two litres of water today, well even the smallest of your achievements need appreciation at the exact moment. If no one else is giving you that, well pat your own shoulder, you have earned it.

3) Break the monotony: Whenever you feel you are driving into an autopilot mode, go for a crash and rise from the debris to take a new flight. Break the monotony and remove those blinders. look around, they are not wrong when they say smell each rose on your way.

4) Smile: Smile makes you approachable and smiles tricks your brain to relax. Smile releases positive hormones which keep you out of the panic mode.

5) Achievable daily targets: Rome was not built in a day and neither was the Colosseum. When you are set to build the city of Rome in the next two months do not think you will build that Colosseum in a day. Your daily targets should be well thought off based on a variety of factors. Be realistic when you define your daily achievable.

6) Do not beat yourself up: So what if today was not your day. Everyone falls, what matters is how quickly you pick yourself up. Develop a strong support system, an inner circle of friends.

Remember, We only have a limited number of days on this earth, so each one should be lived to the full, not spent dwelling on the past or fretting about the future.

Happy Interning and all the best!!