Why I jump out of bed every morning and my WFH learnings: S Yesudas

By S Yesudas, Co-founder, Y&A Transformations

I’ve been trying to find reasons to jump out of bed every morning and have been quite happy so far; bit of exercises to stay alert, making a plea to marketers to sustain the transformation forced down on us, at least on some part of work, by dedicating just 10% of their marketing investments for real innovations with customer delight as the force behind all action, created an initiative #FoodForSweat; the calories people burn to become food for those who are starving, spending time mentoring few start-ups, learning a new language, practicing mridangam, building relationships through conversations, cooking, helping in the household chores and also trying to get paid for work, have been filling my WFH schedules. It has also been time for deep introspections. While I consider myself a nonconformist and one who embraced the fact that transformation has to first begin with me, I will still be resetting few buttons based on new learnings, since transformation is an always-on process. Thought I will take this opportunity to share some of my learnings; some fun, some serious, just random and not in any particular order. So, here we go:

You can just dress yourselves north of the border for a “meeting”
If you have cash to invest in the market, you are much better off in equities than mutual funds; both in the short as well as long term. Look for solid companies which are undervalued. 1 lac in HUL in April 2014 is worth approx Rs.3.30 lacs today.
Relationships call for intimacy as well as solitude in equal measures.
If you want to see your home neat and clean, you can pick up the broom too.
Your house-help and assistance are not robots. They need physical rest and their space too. Respect that.
Absolutely no need to panic for anything, brilliant solutions for all problems will emerge when mind is at rest.
Never fill your life with work. Keep that as just one part. Find your Ikigai; the reason to jump out of bed every morning; it sits at the intersection of Passion, Mission, Profession and Vocation.
You are never too old to learn something new.
You have lost nothing, except for people, rest everything has only taught you what not to do.
There’s nothing in the world that a genuine conversation cannot solve.
When you give, you indeed gain lot more. Once you give, never think about what you have given.
Social distancing notwithstanding, a meaningful hug is a great healer.
When the last bottle of liquor is getting over in front of your eyes, you realize that “live life today as if it’s the last day” sounds good only in theory.
Health is the most important asset you can build.
When you Read. Pause. Listen and Imbibe, a whole new world opens in front of you.
It takes all kind of people to make the world. They are them, you are no one to judge anyone or impose your views. Let them be.
Criticism as well as “constructive value addition” are two different ends of a shaky Foot Over bridge and you will always in the middle of it if you don’t keep your purpose under check.
There are only a handful of people who genuinely care about you and vice-a-versa. Rest are all playing their roles in the world’s stage. The people who you have been in touch with and in some form of conversation with (other than business-related with colleagues/clients/collaborators etc) during these days are the people who you can think of calling when you need a shoulder.
Watch movies only and only based on reviews and ratings.
Let people see the fun, casual side of you too. A good interaction can only happen when the other is not intimidated in any-way.
Be courageous to air your views and opinions even if there are no takers for that.
When you offer to help someone, focus your attention fully on that person.
When you mentor someone, ask yourself first, if you will apply your proposed ideas/ solution to your business/on yourself if you were in the same scenario.
Never use terminologies like sincerity and trust in conversations even if you are being sincere. Just be. It is always the other person’s assessment on whether you are sincere and if you can be trusted.