We have seen this happening around us. Awful traffic
conditions! On all working days, we go through bumper-to-bumper traffic. When the weather is inclement it gets
tougher. Hundreds of automobiles
queue-up! That is a tough situation. All drivers are not the same. Some are
aggressive. When we see aggressive or rouge drivers we respond in several ways.
And there are learners who become over cautious and nervous in tough driving
conditions. Isn’t it? I am sure you have
seen drivers going crazy and honking, yelling, screaming. You must have seen those ‘I-don’t-care’ types
minding their business, fiddling with their smart phones, not caring about
others. There are those who are relaxed
- they listen to some music or news,
have a good conversation when they have someone with them, munch some goodies when needed and show empathy or consideration to people around them. They
are never aggressive or stressed. They
don’t get distracted because of their conversations with fellow passengers or
FM radio or CD player. At frequent
intervals they observe and understand what is going on around them. They enjoy their ride whether the traffic is standstill
or slow or fast. How do they do that? What can we learn from them?
From now on, ‘enjoying the ride’ is a metaphor. That is what this blog post is about. So, are you enjoying the ride?
Let me be more specific.
At work, are you enjoying the ride? If yes, what are the two or three activities
that make you enjoy the ride? Aren’t
those activities the ones you love to do as frequently as possible if not daily? Are those two or three activities turnout to
be your energy boosters and enhance to your performance and reduce your stress
levels? Do those activities radiate
positive energy in your team or among your colleagues? If you are aware enough to answer these
questions, I am sure you are enjoying the ride.
Possibly you will include some additional activities as you move along
and radiate positivity among your colleagues.
Your colleagues will feel extremely happy to be in your team and work
along with you.
‘What? Two or three activities that make me enjoy the ride?
Can you share some examples?’ This is
what you would ask. I am sure I am
guessing it right.
"I’m enjoying the ride. Fighting in mixed
martial arts to me is about having fun. I come from…doing hard labor and this
for me is fun. I’m enjoying it."
– Ross
Pearson, Mixed Martial Artist
Let me share some examples.
One of my friends enjoys organizing events, speaking at conferences and
networking with delegates – he is an entrepreneur. A colleague of mine who is a hard core techie
enjoys troubleshooting, problem solving, and coaching young engineers. My peer, a senior manager loves customer
management and working with his teams. A team of young engineers at my
workplace come up with new ideas in every occasion to celebrate festivals at
work and motivate their colleagues – they enjoy doing this in addition to many
things they love to do at work.
With your family, are you enjoying the ride by doing two or
three of your favorite things? Are those things making a positive impact in
accomplishing your common goals? Are you able to do that in spite of all the
ups and downs you go through in life? Does this experience help you bounce back
from your setbacks? I am sure you have
some examples to share.
"Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities."
- Aldous Huxley, English Writer and Philosopher
At work, ‘enjoying the ride’ is not about gossiping, manipulating
or playing politics. At home, ‘enjoying the ride’ is not about ‘being a couch
potato’, gaming on your mobile or resting and relaxing all the time. What are your hobbies? Do your hobbies
make you enjoy the ride at home? Wherever you are, ‘enjoying the ride’ is about
doing things that result in good or positive effects – however simple or
complex they may be.
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post titled ‘Are you mixing the right flavors?’ In my observation, those who enjoy the ride,
mix the right flavors. And those who mix the right flavors can enjoy the ride. If you haven’t read that post, don’t miss it.
Read the comments too.
So, are you enjoying the ride?
