Seize the Magical Moments!
Photo by rachdian
CNBC recently hosted a town hall meeting with Warren Buffet and Bill Gates at the Columbia Business School. During the meeting, Warren Buffett was quizzed by a student on what data allowed him to make razor sharp and fast paced investment decisions. Buffett’s answer was simple and to the point – There are no short-cuts, it takes a life time of hard work, preparation, and continuous learning!
Buffett was equally eloquent in response to another question on what would be the next successful industry to work in. His answer was to not just seek work but to rather pursue work that one feels passionate about, irrespective of the industry. He pointed out that Bill and he were successful because each of them pursued their passion and backed it with continuous learning and hard work. He also highlighted the important role of mentors who encouraged and backed them in various stages of their career.
Listening to these two titans of capitalism speak reminded me of my own early days and how I was equally fortunate to have a great mentor who encouraged me at every step along the way.
In 1993, I was fresh out of college and unsure of what the future held for me. Although I had graduated top of the class in engineering and secured a job with a top ranking IT firm in India, I soon realized that I had no real interest in a technical career. A chance encounter led me to meet Mr. Babu, Managing Director of a business group based in India. I can never fully recollect what prompted me to say yes to the opportunity to work under him, but it was just one of those magical moments that I was fortunate to seize upon – and it took me through one of the most fascinating lessons in entrepreneurship, management, and leadership that anyone could hope for.
Babu’s astute market knowledge and perennial appetite to learn and stay on top of each and every aspect of his business was one of the earliest lessons in entrepreneurship that I received. He also took a keen interest in teaching me the how’s and why’s of running a complex global business operation. Above all, I learnt valuable life lessons watching his unflinching integrity, sound business ethics, and a genuine interest in the welfare of all who worked with him.
Success often masks the hard work and efforts that go into the creation of an enterprise. I was fortunate to learn early on that there is no real substitute for hard work and it is up to a business leader to be prepared to face whatever challenge life throws at us and seize the magical moments when crucial opportunities reveal itself. As the Roman Philosopher Seneca rightly said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
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Raj, thanks for sharing your real life experience. I am also fresh out of college and onto my first job at Cisco. Hope to learn more from your future posts.
Thanks Sankar. Please subscribe to receive the posts.
This article is a must read for each and every student of business. I fully subscribe to your views and look forward to engaging blog posts.
Dear Raj U,
It was great reading the last post on ur blog. If I cud write as well as you, it would be the same words for the person and his family
Thanks Ambrish!
I cannot agree more on your points that passion plus continuous learning are keys to the long term success. Your articles always inspire me and lead me to the deeper reflection of life.
Thank you for sharing personal experience with us. It is valuable for me.
I enjoyed reading it…… its makes me remember my first job and learning I underwent there, which upgraded me to new scale.
Thanks to my first boss, my first company and the Magical Moment.
Your post almost made me relive what you experienced. Having a great mentor in the early stages of one’s life (could be even your parents) is indeed a blessing. Happy Holidays!
Great article, thanks for sharing
I think the greatest attribute of a successful business leader is not forgetting his roots. Paying gratitude to the person who teaches us the early lessons in life is easily forgotten. I am sure the reasons for your success is not just the core values you learnt and exhibit but also the humility (and humor) that you carry with regard to your work. It has always been a pleasure to know you and learn from you and I now feel grateful to your mentor as well. Thanks Raj!
I fully subscribe to what you write here. My gratitude for your weekly blogs that give some new dimension to entrepreneurship.
Thanks Janet!
Yes, i agree to this. Gratitude is the greatest attitude.
Thanks Raj for a great post and thanks Janet for an apt comment.
Thanks for sharing this great article. It really inspired me.
A powerful article indeed!
Dear Raj,
I was with Babuchayan ( K.C. Babu ) on Dec 1st and spent some time with him. What you said is absolutely true.. especially his astute market knowledge. His present reading is that the next big opportunity in India is in the AGRICULTURE sector.
best
Roy
I agree.
Great!
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for the link to the gates/buffett talk and an inspirational article. loved hearing how u got started. pls share more abt how u got established in investing after this start.
shall do in the course of future blog posts. thanks for your comments.
Shared this post with all my friends. Thanks!
Thanks Sunny!
cool articles!
splendid article and my gratitude to all my teachers and masters as well.
a welcome reminder for any entrepreneur to remember his roots and those who helped him along the way. my best wishes for all your future endeavors
Thank you!
powerful and to the point. great article.