Journey of Self Development

Speech given as chief guest at the graduation ceremony of the 52^nd UXL – Chandigarh batch on 19th October 2012.

Dear Asit, dignitaries on the dais, fellow Tuff Trackers and all guests present here,

Good Morning!!

It is a matter of great pleasure and pride for me to address this august gathering. All of us present here are privileged to be witness of this 'birth ceremony' of future leaders. Yes, indeed, the graduates of UXL Tuff Track course are the most likely leaders of future. They are the most equipped, committed and motivated citizens. These are the people from whom the 'leaders' of tomorrow will emerge. 

Leadership is not just about making speeches, leading mass movements or holding high offices. Indeed, all those are symbols associated with leaders. We often see and recognize leaders this way in our daily life. However, the essence of leadership begins with an expanded consciousness of self. It is when one realizes that there is more to this world than me, myself and my family. There are issues, causes and work which extend beyond your work and personal life. There are ways in which you can make a difference to one or more people. This is where the 'leadership' begins.

Today, as I address the 'new born' group of future leaders, I am reminded of my own journey of self development which start more than 10 years back when I took the 'Tuff Track' leadership and attitudinal development program. I was a young college going student then. I am not very old as yet :) And I am still a student. But at that time, I was a very timid but curious person. I had interest in self development but little direction and confidence.

The Tuff Track course made a significant change in my life by making me aware of my potential and arming me with the techniques of improving my skills. It brought about a complete attitudinal change which put me on a continuous journey of self development. Over the years, I have practiced many of the lessons which Asit taught me in the course. They have taken me to places, given me a lot of success and helped me to lead a fuller life.

Today, I want share few learning, recommendations and pitfalls from my journey of self development.

1. Personality Development: Most of us would have joined this course for ‘Personality Improvement’. My wife too took this course recently and I got a chance to meet the spouses of some of the course participants. Some of them remarked that they have not observed any major changes in their spouse so far.

So, let me inform you that, UXL course so far has only managed to scrub you, removed some dirt off your mind and shown the path for self development. I see some smiling faces when I say it ‘scrubbed you’. Indeed it would have been very very demanding and stressful. In fact, not everyone who had joined the course, managed to complete it. But you all are the real winners – to have survived and thrived the last 7 weeks of intense learning and practicing.

Still, this is just the beginning. Believe me, I tell you out my own experience and that of my wife – who is a recent graduate. Some change in you has already happened. But many new seeds are sown and they will indeed blossom over time. And your life is never going to be the same. So be patient and persistent. Continue practicing all that you have learnt in last 7 weeks.

2. Habits: The character change which this course aims to achieve is not any easy task. A man’s character is made up of his habits.  Man is nothing but a result of his or her habits. Habits form the base from which our thoughts and actions rise – almost effortlessly and mindlessly. The Hindu Scriptures talk about ‘Sanskar’ as the key focus area. Bhagawat Gita recommends acquiring ‘Daivi’ sampatti and relinquishing ‘Aasuri Sampatti’. This sampatti – which means wealth, is nothing but our sanskars or habits. Things which we do automatically without thinking of likes, dislikes, benefits etc.

If we are able to improve our habits, we are able to change our lives. That is what Stephen Covey also talks about in his world famous book ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’.

Now, how does one change the ‘habits’? These are formed and cemented over so many years that it is a herculean task to shake them or move them.

Well, there are three steps to forming or changing a habit – first is Practice, second is Practice and this is Practice. After all it is all about practice.

Let me correct myself. It is not just about practice – but right practice. It is said that ‘Practice makes a man perfect’. But that is an incomplete saying. It is only the ‘Right Practice makes a man perfect’. Wrong practice only fuels bad habits.

Tuff Track course has already set the ball rolling for a variety of new behaviors –waking early, exercising, contributing to others, taking interest in others, worrying less, being confident etc. The list would be very very long. Now your job is to continuing practicing these. Be cautious about returning to old habits or routine. Our mind is a good servant but a poor master. Make sure that your mind doesn’t justify and pull you back to the old habits.

Here, I want to share with you my experience. Reading of the ‘motivational cards’ is really very important and helpful. Through regular reading, these cards will enter your mind and sub-conscious. Then they will automatically improve your behavior and habits. So, make sure that you read those cards for at least one to two years.

3. Becoming Good Speakers: Many of you would have joined the Tuff Track course to become better speakers. The course has taught you the very techniques of speaking effectively and has also shaken your inhibitions and given you the necessary confidence to speak in public.

Asit, I have a very strong complain to you and the entire self development fraternity. You arm the individuals with motivation and confidence, but do not improve their content.

One feels terrible to hear someone lacking confidence speak in public and fumble. But trust me, and you will all agree that, it is really atrocious to hear a person full of confidence and no content!! Such persons can occupy the stage for hours without making much sense to the audience. We all detest such speakers and would not like to become one.

The confidence, voice modulation, body language etc. are the paraphernalia in a talk. The core for any speech is the content. Unless you are able to think and write better content, your speech cannot improve. So the key to becoming better speakers is by gaining a wider perspective and language. And you can get both – perspective as well as language through voracious reading.

Reading I realize is the most underutilized hobby amongst adults. Most adults I know do not have a habit of reading. How else can you hope to develop better content and thoughts?

So, please do take up reading as a serious hobby. Set up weekly or monthly or yearly targets. Read both fiction and non-fiction. Let not the newspapers and magazines take up all your reading time. It is important to know what is happening around. But bulk of the news is negative. You need to read real good fiction and non-fiction to develop better ideas and language.

4. Expanding Horizons: If I were to gift you a new car – a brand new Maruti Swift. You would love to take it on the streets, drive it around and display it. Now, what if I gift you a BMW. Will you be able to enjoy it in the same way on the streets of Chandigarh? You will need to take it on the highway to experience its power, to get the thrill. Isn’t it? And, what if you win a “Ferrari’ one day. You might need to go all the way to the F1-Circuit to experience it.

Similarly, now that you skills and competence has expanded, you will need to expand you area of work, your sphere of influence and activities in life. Otherwise, you will not be able to practice your skills or experience their impact.

Can you imagine getting your family to sit down to listen to your speech? They won’t. Then where else do you finding speaking opportunities? Can you really show all your memory, confidence or speaking skills at your workplace? You will need to go beyond your immediate surroundings and grow to larger organizational and social roles in order to be able to practice and display your leadership skills.

You might have joined the UXL course to grow bigger, but now, having done this course; it has become a necessity for you to have a larger role. You might find your current life a little too small or suffocating.

5. Satsang: Having done this course, you will no doubt be floating in the air for some time. If you follow the instructions given in this course, practice various methods and read your motivational cards sincerely, you will be able to experience more confidence and motivation for a longer time.

However, over time, despite your best efforts, things do wane out. Dust settles in on our minds and intellect. And at times, individual efforts are not enough for removing this dust. Here we require inspiration, motivation, a little push, a little example from outside. This can come from good company.

Our scriptures lay a lot of emphasis on ‘Satsang’ – good company. Shri Tulsidaji in Ramcharitmanas writes:

|| Satsangat mud mangal mula; soi sab sidhi, sab sadhan phoola ||

It means that ‘Satsang’ or good company is the core of ‘good’ and it is the only Fruit (result/objective/accomplishment). Every other efforts or results are mere ‘flowers’.

It should be our endeavor as well to always be in good company. It could be good books or good people. UXL course has given you access to good company. The entire Tuff Track alumni community is full of very accomplished and inspiring people. Make sure you grow your network with such people.

The company of good individuals will always keep you motivated and in track on the path of self development.

5. Motivation: Some of us took this program to become ‘Motivated’. No doubt that this program has pumped in a lot of energy. You can get a lot of motivation from books and good company. But I have also realized that there is something higher and more important than motivation. That is ‘commitment’.

You sometimes come across really committed people, who are very much committed to do their jobs or activities. They do things effortlessly and willingly. They don’t need any external motivation.

You need to get really interested and committed to your professions and hobbies to be able to experience and display motivation. It is not just about reading, thinking and talking positive stuff. Once you have the depth of interest and commitment, motivation flows.

These were some of my experiences from the years following the Tuff Track course. Trust you would have found some of these experiences useful. Hope you have great evening and a wonderful life ahead.

Best wishes to all and god bless you.

Thanks and Love,

Sukrut