“My son, no matter how interesting or how boring you find your work, but you promise me that you will not change your job for another five years.” The father told his son who had just completed his education few weeks back and was ready to take the plunge into professional world. The son was not sure what to say in reply to his father who was still living in an era of loyalty and stability. The son believed that today’s world was full of cutthroat competition and to grow, it was inevitable to move on to the next level at the first available opportunity. At the same time, he did not want to disappoint his father so he said, “Ok daddy, but what if my company starts treating me badly in future and I feel suffocated working there? Or what if some other company offers me much higher salary and better work atmosphere knowing my true strengths?”
Father smiled, put his hand on the son’s shoulder and said, “You are not the first in this world who would be lured by such offers. It has happened with many in the past and it will be happening with many in future as well. But only those who know the value of stability and loyalty make it to the top. Maybe others would have instant progress for a while but for lifetime results, you need to be patient, take stock of situation thousand times before deciding anything even once.”
Though the son was not very convinced with this, he decided not to quit his first job for as long as possible. Time flied as usual. The son was soon three years old in his company when he actually started feeling caged in routine and among same old faces. His wish to switch to another job became strong. He also had offers, some from his old colleagues who had moved on in life to higher posts and better salaries, and some from business associates he had come across on the job. Whenever he tried to convince his father about his wish, the father simply said one thing, “See if you can bear if for little longer, and if not, take a call as you may please.”
The son half-heartedly continued in the same company. He was not a rebel like his friends to father’s advice. But he was also not happy with his father’s stubbornness because it was depriving him of his best career years. Another year passed and then, he thought enough is enough. He decided to tell his father clearly that he had spent four good years in the same company doing the same things; no he desperately needed a change, and better prospects to earn more. He even kept handy few examples of his friends to explain his father how they all had scaled newer heights after quitting one job and grabbing another one.
That evening, when he was readying for leaving office for home, his director called up on intercom and asked him to have a word with him before leaving. He started wondering what would be the thing that the director wanted to discuss with him so late. Did he come to know about his intentions of quitting the job? “No, that’s just not possible. Only I know what I have decided for myself and…”
“Please come, young man,” said the director as he saw him inside the cabin, “Have a seat. I want to talk to you about something very urgent.” He kept staring into his director’s eyes when the latter took out certain documents from his table’s drawer, “This is the most exciting project our company has conceived in years to take another leap in turnover. Although you might have worked on its certain segments, neither you nor any other staff member except the board knew it in totality. Just yesterday, the board had a meeting in this regard where it was decided to roll-out this product in the market as soon as possible. When we were discussing who could be the best choice to lead implantation it in the market, your name was suggested by all in unison.”
“What?! But sir… I mean how can I…”
“Relax. Don’t feel that we are doing any favour to you, or that you won’t be able to handle this work well. Our company firmly believes in those team members who believe in devoting time to master single thing than dividing time learning too many things at once. We have found you very focused in your work. Our record says that unlike many other employees who pay more attention to other’s activity than their own, you have always concentrated on work assigned to you. Moreover, you have stayed with the company when it needed trusted lieutenants the most. These qualities make a man bigger than others and we want to capitalize on it for mutual benefit of the company and yours. If you will agree to take charge of this work, the company would like to give you senior position as well as ten times hike in your monetary package.”
Believe it or not but it is a true story. And history of world says that many great people have passed through such an experience while in their young age. Their faith in what to do, how consistently do and what to achieve in the end has helped him bear fruits of their hard work. Why can’t we all do things this way and become better, clearer and focused?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sanjay V Shah (Journalist, playwright, film, TV serial writer, film critic, poet)
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