Follow your dreams

As far as I recall, every kid is told that they can follow their dreams. Somewhere in the middle of your life you are beaten into submission and you follow a safe track for your life. Sometimes you choose it, but most of the times it is the "tried and tested" path that your parents walked on. Get a "stable" job (or whatever that means!). Work a 9-6 routine till you retire.

There are some amongst us, who go against all odds and still follow their childhood dreams. I always am amazed by such people and I have my utmost respect for them. A few years ago (2013), I came across this relatively unknown singer (for me!) and his song. Now, if you read the YouTube comments below his song, they are mostly negative. For me, however he was an inspiration. Follow your dreams. He did what he loved, and he did what most of us can never do. This was his first English song that got my attention a few years ago. It apparently took him 30 long years to pen the lyrics for his first song. That's dedication!

And recently I came across a new song by him. It's different, but mind you, he got a nice voice and he followed his dreams, what many of us dare not do!

10th Anniversary

So it dawned on me that I have been writing this blog for 10 years. Today, I officially mark the 10th year of me writing my thoughts here. What started as a "Hello World" persisted as a weekend hobby for a decade.

A decade is almost 30% of my life. A long time indeed. But as I grow old, I realize that time periods look smaller and smaller. So a year of my life used to be a significant time period when I was in school. Now even 5 years look small. I think that's what growing old is all about. In my teens anyone above the magical age of 25 looked old to me. Now in my late 30s, everyone looks young (may be the early 70s are the old people for me as of now!).

Life goes on. Thank you for reading my thoughts. And thank you for being with me in this journey.

Networking

So after a long while, I managed to change jobs. I have left everything related to SAP. That's 12 long years of doing it. I am obviously sad, scared and generally running around with butterflies and moths in my stomach.


I can't really share much of what I went through in getting this job. But trust me when I say I had to go through a lot of pain and I networked. I am sure everyone has their own way of finding jobs. And looking at the career ladder (of salaried professionals) I can see that most of you are at higher (more successful rungs of that ladder than I am). But for the rest of you, who are like me, these are the 2 most important things I did that helped me:

1. Make a list of companies that you would love to work for. I think this is the single important thing that helps you focus, rather than going out there on job-sites and sending resumes incessantly. If you are in your mid-career right now (like I am), blasting resumes doesn't help much (or I think so!)
2. Use LinkedIn to Network. I think I was very shy at doing this and even when I started I was hesitant. I did reach out to a lot of people that gave me a cold shoulder. But you just need that 1 person to respond. So don't lose hope. And use the list that you made in point 1 to focus on your networking. And of course, don't spam people.

Too much stuff

If there is one thing I have been obsessed with since last year, it has to be minimalism.

The best definition of minimalism I found is here, quoting them verbatim:

Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.

I think it all started when I realized I have been hoarding (slightly only!) collectibles and trinkets and then as I moved houses several times I realized my possessions have been increasing progressively.

Anyway, since sometime last year, I have been (very!) consciously reducing my possessions and generally not shopping (unless absolutely necessary). So I don't go shop because I feel so, or shop because there is a sale, or shop  because I have nothing else to do. If I really have to buy something, it first goes into my "To Buy" list and stays there for a while before I go spend. And yeah, I ain't talking about groceries, medicines and other everyday essential stuff. They are of course bought when I need them. And trust me, I ain't turning ascetic or anything like that.

Last week I came across this video which sort of reinforces what I am doing, and I think it's best to share it with all of you. It's called the "Story of Stuff" and walks through our general obsession with buying and hoarding onto stuff.