Stuff That Doesn’t Fit On Our LinkedIn Profiles, Defines Us The?Most

Let’s admit it, most of us are workaholics. Call it a clever trick that capitalism pulls on us, or something we love to do to ourselves. We often forget that another definition of life exists outside work. Many times it’s our passions and interests outside work; the skills built outside work that are carried to the workplace.

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A few days ago, I sent my newly minted resume to a few friends and industry folks for a “tech check” asking for brutal feedback. Good, well meaning people, and that’s the reason I trusted my life’s work with them. One of my closest friends commented I was wasting the “real estate” of my one and a half page document talking about my interests, which included a Glider Private Pilot License (GPL). No senior management role needed this skill. And, he was right. Other friends also gave some feedback, but the verdict on the GPL was unanimous — it was useless.

This got me thinking why had I put it there in the first place? When I made my LinkedIn profile years ago, this was an achievement I was the most proud of. Without rich parents or sponsorships, this was an expensive hobby that I had managed to pull off on my own. I pooled in every little cent that an 18-year old could honorably earn — Saving every earning from festivals, birthdays, college prize money, random newspaper contest, etc.

Of all things, I joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), because they were giving out free flying hours to encourage spirit of nationalism. All I had to do was sign up for the Pre-Republic Day parade. NCC was considered un-cool in my uber-cool, upmarket college. Who participated in Republic Day parade? Unless, you got VIP passes, educated, English-speaking Indians, only watched the National Day parade on TV (if they woke up on time).

Flying with the National Cadet Corps was one hell of a experience. I was flying German and Indian gliders. That flying club also had twin-engine Cessnas — I used to dream about them, making a mental note to come back someday when I had the money. I spent hours after college on that airfield — braving Delhi’s 44 degrees, finding thermals, waiting patiently picking blades of grass when flights were halted for VIPs pass-throughs, filling in log books, being scolded for rough landings, roughing it out with the winch tow — doing all that while dodging comments from Aunts and Uncles that I was tanning and turning dark. (Indians hate getting tanned — our love for fair skin is legendary.)

I did it all. From managing peeling skin (in absence of sophisticated sunscreens in that era), to not missing lectures or lagging behind in studies. None of my friends shared my passion and they didn’t know what the hell I was doing. After two years, I received my GPL with my own money (well almost, mom was kind to donate some towards the end). At the age of 20, this was the single biggest achievement of my life, and till very late, nothing came close to it.

If I have to look for resourcefulness, “jugaad”, and ability to dig in my heels, I go back to that experience — not taking “no” for an answer and soaring. It defined me like nothing else did. “I can achieve it”, attitude still stems from there.

Passion is lived in many ways, but it’s possibly defined in just one way — your own way. When followed through till the end, Passion moves away from an immature exuberance and becomes a skill. The skill is transferable to any situation in life. One may learn it from anything, from anyone, anywhere. 

What makes it unique for each one of us, is the perspective it gives us, courage it forges and attitude it builds. It’s not about what you do, it’s the process of getting there that creates the strength. The force is in the pursuit. Be the force.

~ Anu Lall

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P.S. My GPL license expired a few years later. I could never find time to renew it or step back into flying school. 

Image Courtesy: https://www.care.com/c/stories/3924/paper-airplanes-for-kids-beyond-the-basics/