Persistence and Flexibility

Last week marked my 18th year in this incredible IT industry.  Reflecting on the years that have passed, I realise how every moment has been an amazing learning opportunity. Here are my musings on these learnings beyond the technical aspects:

Has it always been fulfilling ? Perhaps, Not.

There are some days when I might have cribbed about the job, about the coworkers, about increment, etc.  But in my view, the key is Persistence and Self awareness. 

Persistence is self-discipline in action. The belief that the events that take place through out one's life are conducive to ones elevation and that there is no good or bad event, helps us find opportunity in all circumstances, for us to be assertive.

Self Awareness is knowing that we become unstoppable when we work on things that cannot be taken away - our mindset, our character, personality, authenticity, integrity and our entire being. 

We must keep assessing inner wisdom and let it guide us towards growth.

The other aspect is flexibility. Flexibility is often seen as a weakness. However, in my view it is not only a tool for survival but also allows you to achieve goals in the constantly changing world.

At first glance, you may feel that persistence and flexibility are paradoxical. Because, while persistence implies to sticking to a plan, being rigid, and maintaining a consistent approach, flexibility implies adaptability, being open to change and adjusting the plans as needed.  But when you think about it at a deeper level, you will wonder how interconnected these two qualities are and how they complement each other when balanced correctly. 

This reminds me of the classic fable  about the big tree and a plant. The story goes like this:

A big, strong tree stood tall and proud, often looking down on the smaller, seemingly weaker plants around it. Among these was a small plant that the tree considered insignificant. The tree boasted about its strength and ability to withstand any force of nature.

One day, a fierce storm hit. The strong winds blew relentlessly, and the big tree, despite its strength, struggled to stay upright. Eventually, the tree was uprooted and fell. However, the small plant, which could bend and sway with the wind, yet firm on the roots survived the storm unscathed.

The moral of the story is that flexibility and humility can sometimes be more advantageous than sheer strength and pride. Those who can adapt to changing circumstances often survive and thrive, even when faced with great challenges. The persistence of the plant to remain fixed on the roots and the flexibility of the branches to bend and adapt to the winds helped the plant to navigate the obstacles and be successful.