One of the topics of perpetual discussion is whether there is anything called luck or is one’s destiny in person’s own hands? In a popular Hindi movie number picturised on two iconic stars Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor, there’s an argument happening between the two whether it’s all about luck ( taqdeer) or effort (tadbeer) ?
While I am a firm believer in making effort and treat luck as an overrated element of blind faith, certain events force you to reckon luck! This is true specially in case of property. Sometimes a property that you buy suddenly becomes a hot piece of real estate when it’s announced that a large commercial hub is coming in its vicinity or Metro is getting extended right up to your flat ! On the other hand, a prime property situated right in the heart of the city may have to be abandoned or substantially sacrificed should Government decide to widen the main road! When I moved to Mumbai several years ago, I was told that for train travel Andheri was the best option as large number of trains originated from there. I realised it myself that trains that went beyond Andheri were severely overcrowded and packed and boarding or getting down at a non terminus station was virtually next to impossible. But in an Andheri local, one could virtually catch a nap or finish newspaper as train would originate and terminate there at.
This year after decades of struggle of changing rented accommodations, I finally managed to have a home of my own in a place none other than Andheri. I told my wife that now I would be commuting to office only by train and not by my personal vehicle. Railways change their time table every October. This October, I was in for a rude shock rather than a pleasant surprise. Western Railways decided to shift terminal from Andheri to Goregaon and like all other stations before or after Andheri, it too has become an intermediate station ! I am back to commuting by car – spending 3-4 hours everyday on road, leaving daily newspaper unread and forgetting the luxury of travel nap! What efforts could I have made to avert this ?
We all live in a VUCA world. Meaning, a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Since one cannot take good luck for granted, one needs to come to terms with the concept of VUCA, which is more of a reality. Since life is always volatile and uncertain, one can rightly plan for certain eventuallities but one can never plan for ALL POSSIBLE eventualities. Here’s where VUCA comes into play. It is a reality that our best laid plans may fail and one might also receive unplanned benefits. Or not. See Peters Principle. If something can go wrong it probably will.. 😀 😀
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We all live in a VUCA world. Meaning, a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Since one cannot take good luck for granted, one needs to come to terms with the concept of VUCA, which is more of a reality. Since life is always volatile and uncertain, one can rightly plan for certain eventuallities but one can never plan for ALL POSSIBLE eventualities. Here’s where VUCA comes into play. It is a reality that our best laid plans may fail and one might also receive unplanned benefits. Or not. The goalposts keep shifting. And one never knows where they are going to be next. See Peters Principle. If something can go wrong it probably will.. 😀 😀
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VUCA gives me fodder for my next blog! I owe you a royalty. Your comments are kindling ideas
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😀 😀 Welcome Arvind. You may wish to read my earlier blog on VUCA and my Facebook post of today, holding forth on the subject.
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Sure Dada
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https://jayanta13.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/to-make-a-long-story-short-part-one/
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Sometimes the rude shocks may give a pleasant surprise on a later date. As they say whatever happens, happens for good. We may call it Luck but destiny always has something planned for everyone which we later realize was for good. For now, best wishes Sir to travel on road..🙏🏻🙏🏻
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Thanks Hardik; when an idea strikes me I just pen it
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I was a firm believer that it is hard work which decides one’s destiny. However few events both on personal and professional level affirmed that both hard work and destiny / luck go hand in hand.
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I agree
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