“Had it not been you”…

As mentioned in my previous post, my steps towards “Randomness” wouldn’t have been so firm “Had it not been you!” Yes, I am kinda acknowledging the ones who got me closer to my dream track. Who helped overhaul this fear and gave me confidence to stride ahead…

Like all acknowledgements, I’ll start off with my parents. What I got from them is blend of support and resistance. On one hand, their support helped me gain confidence on my decision their resistance helped me collect myself together and have a critical look at the decision that I am taking. You know at times we tend to get overly optimistic about future and this is where criticisms like these come into picture. Along with so many things that I have learnt in the last couple of years, I have also learnt how to take and respond to criticisms positively.

Next in queue, are my classmates from my engineering days. They were of two types, one who seemed to have that unflinching faith on me and my capabilities and they did communicate it to me frequently and then there were people somehow believed I am too capable of doing things and made sure that they innovate ways to tie me down. While the type 1 inspired me the type 2 always kept me on my toes. Type 1 always told me what I am worth and Type 2 always told me how ugly can politics get. But both of them taken together, in their own funny ways, ensured that I don’t get settled down with a “Commoners’ ” lifestyle. And how can I forget my lecturers!!! Their constant mentoring outside class and patience (with my dozing off after lunch break) inside were priceless!

Now it’s the turn for “My Group” that I made during college days and which is still holding strong. These 8 people (including a lecturer) have been like a family to me. I can’t tell you the number of people we have surprised just by demonstrating the strength of our group. They are the closest confidants that I have in this big bad world. The most peculiar thing about this whole group is we may forget to congratulate each other on achievements, forget the birthdays (And at times shamelessly wish a day before due to memory issues!). But come bad time and see how we regroup! This group has attributed to my decision making process in so many ways that I can’t just account them. All I would say is “indispensible” is an understatement for them!

Finally, I would talk about the “catalysts”(personified) who actually helped me zoom past the “procrastination” phase and actually get me on start up track. These weer the people who never got tired discussing business with me (and they still don’t). They stuck to me when I was giving fancy ideas (non feasible ones too!!!). Slogged their a*** preparing mockups and presentations for my fancies without ever asking back for a favor. To worsen it more, I did not use any of the mock ups and presentations made by them! Cause only after huge much amount of effort from their side, I was able to see that the idea has no value! And guess what, they still feel that my ideas were great. You know what, they were the ones to lend “Wings to my imagination” and see today finally I look like taking off!


I dare to make yet another understatement… “Thanks” to all of you!

Firm steps towards “Randomness”

It’s an amazing feeling, as I traverse from a world of conventionality and alignment to an entirely new world of “Randomness”, a world of enterprise! Yes, My own “Venture”. Sounds exciting right? Ya it definitely will, to every onlooker. I myself have got several pats on back for such a bold decision. But then there lies a fear deep inside my heart as to what if I mess it up!!! Till now (And for two more months, i.e. the notice period at Cognizant) I was being supported by a back up cushion, a steady support that gave me an assurance, a security and a guaranteed growth story! But two months from now, I’ll be open to big bad world without this support. Sounds menacing right?




This “Tight Rope Walk” feeling is scary enough to hurry you back to the pole from you started. To top it off you need to convince all the stake holders i.e. people getting directly impacted from this decision. Just think of the plight! No wonder why people who once get into jobs are never able to come out of it. They complain, they cry, they adjust, they compromise, they hate what they do, they dream of doing what they want to do, but they never dare to venture out! After all, why be foolish enough to leave such cushy and posh life for heat and dust of startup!



Well I guess I have an answer to this. (As I say this, I am also trying to convince myself with this write up!). I am getting into this not because I am frustrated from the job or for that matter the limitations associated with it. In my near three years of career as a SE, I have really given above average performance, never failed a deliverable, never upset my managers and never remained stuck in an issue for more than a day… I am getting into this because of a recurrent inner call. A call that has sustained within me since ten years! And this call was coupled with a tremendous opportunity to make a difference. That’s it.

I believe at all stages of your life, you will come across a split road. One that leads to easier but less rewarding track and another that’s tougher and “Supposedly” more rewarding. When in job, every time I make or achieve something, I get appreciations. But in reality, the impact created by this achievement is too miniscule when seen in the larger scheme of things. No wonder why, even the best of achievements fade away with time and you really don’t see much of an impact in your life or on society. Now take another scene. Your venture, your enterprise, that is being run by you! Here every decision is close to make or break situation. Every second moment you feel adrenalin rush about the things you do and every little action (It may or may not be an achievement) has a major impact in not only your’s life but the life your company’s associates. Howz that for starters?



Well, if you ask me, I can come up with many more such “Pious” analogies; after all I have lived with this call for ten years now. I put my papers in yesterday and the moment I clicked submit button for resignation a strong sense of fear rushed through my heart! I think that was the first “True Adrenalin Rush” that I ever had and I believe I am gonna have them every moment for the rest of my life! But what overpowered the fear in a blink was the faces of all those who believed in me and my capabilities and always told me that I’ll do something big someday. I don’t know whether I’ll be able to live up to their expectations, but I definitely know that I have started. I am gonna call them soon and give them a surprise by telling them that I have off boarded the train of conventionality and taken altogether a different route!



I am no Steve Jobs, but definitely I would love to conclude with …

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!!!”