A Reflection on My Journey at Fifty-One!

As I reflect upon my journey through life, reaching the age of 51 brings a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. The path I've traversed has been marked by numerous milestones and achievements that have shaped my identity and fuelled my aspirations.

While it's easy for any individual to list their 'materialistic achievements', such as owning properties, possessing high-end cars or expensive gadgets, and indulging in designer clothing, luxurious jewellery, and high-end watches etc., it's crucial to acknowledge that these possessions typically provide only temporary satisfaction or gratification. My personal experiences underscore this reality, as I've found that material possessions, despite their initial allure, often fail to provide lasting fulfilment or contribute to a meaningful legacy. While others may hold different viewpoints, I firmly believe that material possessions are inherently transient due to factors such as decay, shifting preferences, external influences, and limited lifespans.

To justify my above statement, let me share a real-life incident for you to consider:

Recently, during a visit to a 'Reliance Jio' store near my housing complex, I encountered an elderly man in his 80s. He appeared physically fit, well-dressed, and quite sharp. I saw him moving through the store with an air of authority, as if he owned the place. After a while, however, I noticed that he was treating the salespeople rudely while asking his questions. His disrespectful behaviour made me uncomfortable. Before I could react, he started shouting loudly and arguing with the store manager, trying to assert his point of view. I attempted to ignore the scene and focus on my purchases, but he grabbed my attention when he began boasting about his job title, the company he worked for, the car he owned, his educational background, and the upscale housing society where he lived. That’s when I decided to intervene to help calm him down, considering his age, and resolve the matter amicably without disturbing the other customers. To my surprise, the issue was about a mere six-rupee difference.

The gentleman's ego was triggered, causing him to lose his temper and behave as if he was a king, with all the store workers as his subjects. To establish his authority or superiority, he quickly started talking about his material possessions, likely hoping to create an impression of wealth, education, and high social status. This is a common behaviour for some people, but they often fail to realize that there's always someone better off than they are.

After the incident, I was able to spend some time with the gentleman and learned that he retired in 2002 as a 'General Manager' from 'Tata Tubes Division'. He bought an 'Ambassador' car in 1984, which he sold after his retirement. He is a mechanical engineer from Jadavpur University, living in a rented flat in a government housing complex, and is physically fit and healthy even at the age of 82. He has one daughter and one son, both well established in their own lives. Despite his age, he still holds on to his 'material possessions,' even though his achievements have become vintage, except for his memories, which remain vivid and fresh.

The lesson here is that whatever you possessed yesterday might not have any relevance today, and whatever you possess today could become obsolete tomorrow. This is a fundamental truth about life—accept it or not, it's your choice. This is happening because our world is undergoing radical, disruptive changes at an accelerating pace.

With time and maturity, I've come to realize that what we leave behind is not our 'material possessions', but rather the impact we create on others during our journey. Contributions to society, relationships, and inner growth—such as humanity, morality, and spirituality—are often more significant and lasting than the accumulation of 'material wealth'. With that in mind, let me attempt to identify some unique accomplishments that could make me feel proud forever:

A Minor Sacrifice with a Major Impact:

While we're often encouraged to 'think outside the box,' the real impact comes when we take that mindset and turn it into action. It's not just about having innovative ideas; it's about being brave enough to pursue unconventional paths. If we truly want to break boundaries, we need to embrace unconventional ways of doing things, not just thinking about them. My decision to let go of my job so early is a testament to this mindset.

I made this decision for two main reasons:

i/ Socio-economic angle - After a successful 24-year career in the corporate world, I was fully convinced at the age of 48 that my hard work had generated enough financial wealth to secure my family and me for the rest of our lives. Therefore, why should I hold on to my job and deny new talents their opportunity for employment?

My decision to step down was to create space for the next generation. I aimed to leave my employer with substantial funds to recruit fresh MBA graduates from reputable B-Schools and groom them into future leaders, as I was during my time. This small sacrifice on my part surely resulted in generating a few employments in the economy, which I will always feel good about.

Many times, I've heard people complain about unemployment, but I've never come across anyone who has taken action to help generate employment. Moreover, people talk about imbalance and inequality, but rarely do they introspect to find ways (within their capacity) to impact society through their actions.

ii/ Choosing to embrace independence and chart a course beyond the traditional boundaries of corporate life. The decision to break free comes with a sense of liberation and the exciting prospect of exploring new opportunities, pursuing passions, and embracing a life unburdened by corporate constraints. It's a journey towards self-discovery, adventure, and perhaps a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

If you have missed my story on 'the journey to early retirement', please click the link to read:

https://tokaushiksarkar.wixsite.com/kaushik-sarkar/post/a-real-life-story-of-a-guy-who-dared-to-retire-early

Modest Impact on Society: 

Life itself is simple: we need food, water, shelter, comfort, and connection. But we often complicate it with endless pursuits, excessive desires, and constant comparisons. By focusing on what truly matters and embracing simplicity, we can find a clearer path to happiness and fulfilment.

That's why I created my own blogging platform—to connect with the next generation and share my life experiences, particularly my failures and the lessons I've learned.

Today, after a year, I feel happy knowing that I’ve been able to inspire a considerable number of youngsters through my blogs. Sharing 'practical life experiences' in simple words, presented as stories on various important topics, has sparked interest among Gen Z. Engaging with their unique queries and sharing my views/opinions keeps me connected with my target audience.

I've always believed that a single positive interaction has the potential to inspire, uplift, and create a ripple effect that influences not only the individual directly but also those connected to them.

Moreover, the ability to positively inspire another person's life through acts of kindness, mentorship, or support is a transformative and meaningful experience.

My journey to contribute has just begun with lot of dreams in my eyes. Will keep unfolding my stories as and when my goals are fulfilled.

The 'Wealth of Time': 'The gift of time — the most precious resource of all'. 

It gave me the freedom from the constraints of a traditional corporate career. It gave me the luxury to explore my passions, hobbies, and interests that was side lined during my working years. Be it traveling the world, or giving back to the communities through volunteering, or pursue further education and engage in lifelong learning opportunities, or dedicating time to my family etc. In short, the freedom to design a lifestyle that reflects my deepest desires and values.

Health and Well-being:

Discipline towards Health and Wellness actually contributes to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Health, is of paramount importance for several reasons and we all know that, but often gets neglected due to our work-life pressure. With 'no work pressure' any more, my priority is to be fit, healthy and hardy. Doing so I could realize the immense improvements that has happened in the following areas:

• Quality of Life: Good health enhanced the quality of life by allowing me to engage fully in activities I enjoy. It enabled me to pursue my passions, maintain relationships, and fulfil responsibilities without limitations.

• Productivity: Being in good health fosters higher levels of productivity. I am more energetic, focused, and efficient in my tasks, whether at my work, or home.

• Reduced Healthcare Costs: Maintaining good health has helped me in reducing my healthcare costs now and in the long run. Preventive measures such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and routine medical check-ups prevent or mitigate the onset of chronic illnesses, reducing the need for costly medical treatments and interventions.

• Emotional Well-being: Physical health is closely linked to emotional well-being. When my body functions optimally, it positively impacts my mood and mental health. Exercise, for an example, releases endorphins that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Resilience: Physical health enhances resilience, enabling me to bounce back more effectively from illnesses, injuries or setbacks, if they occur at all.

• Personal Fulfilment: A healthy body is better able to pursue set goals, dreams, and aspirations, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

• Longevity: Last but not least, good health is strongly associated with longevity. It is observed that people who take care of their physical well-being tend to live longer, enabling them to experience more of life's joys and accomplishments and to spend more time with loved ones.

Debt-Free Life:

Achieving a debt-free status is not easy and can often be challenging. It requires discipline, commitment, and careful financial planning. I was fortunate enough to have all this qualities in me that eventually helped me in achieving the status at such an early age. Freedom from debt brought me a myriad of benefits, promoting financial well-being, personal satisfaction, and the flexibility to make choices aligned with my values and goals. It also gave me the peace of mind, financial liberty, increased net worth, legacy building opportunity and so on.

Moreover, achieving a debt free status impacts the economy in a positive way, as it allows an individual with more disposable income in their hands for :

i/ Savings and investments,

ii/ Increases the purchasing power,

iii/ Reduce systematic risk in the economy, especially during economic downturns.

iv/Improves Mental Health and Productivity - debt can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for individuals, impacting their mental health and productivity. By alleviating this stress, people may be better able to focus on their work, leading to higher levels of productivity and economic output.

It would be prudent to talk about some of the reasons why becoming debt-free often can be difficult:

• Increasing Cost of Living: In this modern dynamic world, the cost of living, including housing, healthcare, education, and transportation, continues to rise. Meeting these basic needs while also trying to pay off debt can be extremely challenging for individuals and families.

• Temptation of Credit: Easy access to credit cards, personal loans, and other forms of debt can make it tempting for individuals to accumulate more debt rather than focus on paying off existing obligations.

• Social Pressures and Lifestyle Inflation: Social pressures to keep up with peers or maintain a certain lifestyle can lead individuals to overspend and accumulate debt. This phenomenon, known as lifestyle inflation, can hinder efforts to become debt-free.

• Lack of Financial Literacy: Many people lack basic financial literacy skills, including budgeting, saving, and managing debt effectively. Without proper knowledge and resources, individuals may struggle to develop and implement a realistic debt repayment plan.

• Unexpected Expenses: Unforeseen expenses such as medical emergencies, car repairs, or home maintenance can derail debt repayment plans, forcing individuals to rely on credit cards or loans to cover these costs.

• Psychological Factors: Debt can also have psychological effects, causing stress, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. These factors can make it challenging for individuals to stay motivated and disciplined in their efforts to become debt-free.
  

Journey to 'Spiritual Wealth':

This is the toughest area to achieve but one has to start sometime or the other in there lifetime. My journey has just began but however I am clear on what I am looking for - a sense of fulfilment, purpose, and connection beyond the material world.

I realize that achieving spiritual wealth involves nurturing my inner self, developing a deeper understanding of life's meaning, and cultivating practices that promote personal growth and well-being. Hence, am sharing some of the steps which I have started following that I believe can help me cultivate my spiritual wealth:

• Self-Reflection: Taking out time for introspection and self-reflection. Reflect on your values, beliefs, and experiences to gain insight into what brings meaning and purpose to my life.

• Mindfulness and Presence: Practice mindfulness and living in the present moment. In the mindfulness techniques I tend to follow meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga/exercise. It helps me cultivate awareness and connect with my inner self.

• Gratitude: Trying to cultivate an attitude of gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of my life and expressing appreciation for the blessings I have. Regularly acknowledging and thanking for all the good things that I have in my life.

• Service and Compassion: I often try to get engaged in acts of service and compassion towards others. Volunteer, help those in need, and show kindness and empathy. This has started helping me in deepening my connection with others and contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

• Connection with Nature: I often spend time in nature and connect with the natural world. Nature has a way of grounding us, inspiring and reminding us of our interconnectedness with all living beings.

• Seeking Wisdom: Pursue knowledge and wisdom from various sources such as spiritual teachings, philosophy, literature, and personal experiences. Engage in lifelong learning and exploration to expand my understanding of life's mysteries and complexities.

• Prayer and Rituals: Engaging in practices such as meditation or prayers that resonate with my spiritual beliefs.

• Healthy Relationships: Cultivate healthy and supportive relationships with family, friends, and community. Surrounding myself with people who uplift and inspire me.

• Acceptance: Trying to nurture acceptance by letting go of attachments, practicing forgiveness, and embracing impermanence.

Understanding that spiritual wealth is a deep personal journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Hence it is essential to find practices and beliefs that resonate with ones own self and work towards them with sincerity and dedication.

The Power of Strong Relationships:

At a very young age I realised the strength in a strong committed relationship and hence never tried to experiment with it rather kept on working to make it stronger with each passing day.

If you wish to read a genuine story on how a 'strong bounding' can change a life, then you must click the link below:

https://tokaushiksarkar.wixsite.com/kaushik-sarkar/post/an-untold-story

Therefore, with great authority I can say that, a strong and supportive relationship is one of the foundational pillar for having a successful career. So, let me talk about few of the points that I can easily corelate:

• Emotional Support: Any healthy relationship provides emotional support, which is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of anyone's career. Having someone to share your successes, failures, and aspirations can boost your morale and resilience, enabling you to bounce back from setbacks and stay motivated.

• Stress Reduction: A supportive partner helps alleviate stress by providing a listening ear, offering advice, or simply being a source of comfort during challenging times. This supportive care reduces stress and allows you to focus better on your work, make clearer decisions, and perform at your best.

• Work-Life Balance: It is always important to maintaining a fulfilling relationship, as it encourages a healthy work-life balance. Spending quality time with your loved ones helps you recharge and rejuvenate outside of work, preventing burnout and increasing your overall happiness and satisfaction. A balanced lifestyle enhances productivity and creativity, leading to greater success in your career.

• Networking and Social Support: Connection beyond your loved ones, like- friends, family, and colleagues. These connections can provide valuable networking opportunities and emotional support. Networking is essential for career growth, as it can lead to new job opportunities, mentorship, and professional development.

• Problem-Solving and Collaboration: Relationships teach important skills like communication, compromise, and conflict resolution, which are valuable in the workplace. Being able to effectively communicate and collaborate with others, whether it's your partner or colleagues, can lead to more successful projects and better problem-solving abilities.

Globetrotter:

My better-half and I share a curiosity for exploring different cultures, visiting new places, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Our mutual passion for adventure, self-discovery, and personal growth brings us immense love, joy, and happiness as we travel together. That's why we've promised each other to journey around the world over the next ten to fifteen years. We've already been fortunate enough to visit several countries, but we know there's still a long way to go.

Some interesting 'exclusions' from my 'core achievement' list:

From my early childhood days till the present moment, each step mentioned below has been a building block in the construction of my solid foundation. But, however I have intentionally excluded them from my 'broader achievement' list, only for a reason that I feel those are essentials, without which "bigger goals" can never be achieved in life:

1/ Higher Educational Qualifications: Having attained advanced professional degrees in both finance and marketing, I've come to understand that while education is valuable, it alone cannot guarantee future success. Degrees serve as entry tickets to qualify for interviews, but selection for any job or position hinges on a myriad of factors. These include the candidate's ability to effectively communicate during interviews, their past experiences and performances, their adeptness in handling critical situations, their capacity for innovation, their initiative-taking, and their resilience in navigating failures. Success is determined by a combination of these qualities and achievements rather than solely by academic credentials.

2/ Great Working Career: It's undeniable that my career has been remarkable, characterized by consistently surpassing performance benchmarks and implementing innovative strategies to achieve success. My journey has been one of continuous growth, leadership, and impactful contributions across diverse professional domains. These experiences have brought me to where I am today—relaxed and free from corporate ties. However, amidst these achievements, my journey has also imparted numerous lessons.

Three basic lessons learned:

i/ Corporate jobs are extremely demanding, and 'performance' is something that is least expected out of every employee, else he/she is 'out of the job'.

ii/ Year-on Year increments, promotions and accolades, adds up to an individual's growth.

Generally:

<> 'Increments' are given to those employees whose 'annual performances' matches employer's expectation. Although it varies from person to person depending on the weightage/score achieved during performance appraisal.

<> 'Promotion + Increments' are given to those employees whose performances supersedes employer's expectation. Those are generally the high potential employees.

<> 'Accolades' & 'Rewards' are to recognize the 'effort' and 'motivate' employees to continue performing going forward.

iii/ Yesterday's achievements are history. What's next? - is most important in corporate jobs. Hence to keep earning the "extra money", one has to keep proving his/her worth 'year on year' till the retirement age.

3/ Enjoyment of higher position and powers: I was quick to climb the corporate ladder to reach higher leadership positions. Each leadership position bestowed upon me greater influence and decision-making authority, amplifying my capacity to shape organizational strategies and drive impactful outcomes. Climbing the corporate ladder is 'a must' to have a successful career, hence have never considered those as my significant achievements.

"Higher positions always brought me more money, which I put to good use, and the results of that are evident today."

A small observation: I've often encountered individuals who conflate achievements with responsibilities, particularly in the context of parenting, where providing the best upbringing and education for their children is seen as a personal achievement.

However, I hold a different perspective. I believe that as a parent, my duty is to ensure that my child has access to the best possible support and opportunities for their future. While I take immense pride, satisfaction, joy, and peace in my child's success and achievements, I firmly believe that their accomplishments are a result of their own efforts and abilities. It would be erroneous for me to claim credit for their achievements.

Before I conclude, I must say that reflecting on one's achievements is valuable. It allows us to gain insights into our progress, identify areas for growth, and set new goals.

As the years pass, it becomes increasingly essential to pause, reflect, and review the journey we have undertaken. Every accomplishment, whether personal or professional, is a testament to our efforts, resilience, and the lessons learned. This habit of reflection has truly helped me shape my journey well.

I am grateful for the unconditional support from my spouse and the wonderful presence of my daughter. Thank you, God, for everything!

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely based on my personal experiences and perceptions. I do not intend to cause any offense or hurt anyone's feelings. Readers are encouraged to interpret the content in their own context and discretion.