In a contemplative, questioning stance, entrepreneur HARISH MOTWANI weighs the option of quitting the rat race. Will that buy him peace and happiness?
After half a century of living, 29 years of working, marriage of 23 springs, raising two children, cofounding three enterprises, it’s now time to introspect ― and plan for the future.
I have been a reasonably successful businessman for 18 years now. I have tried to balance the savage hunt for materialism and financial success by setting up a charity. But I must confess that business volatility has taken its toll and my goal of always emerging the victor or experiencing eternal joy has proved to be quite elusive.
Do I continue to pursue more laurels or should I withdraw from the (rat) race and take a breather?.
When I look around, I see that the world is a noisy place. All kinds of noises assail my senses ― many of them are loud, deafening, cacophonic, constantly blaring, almost driving me to the edge of the precipice.
There is really no end to what we call competition and the only way to beat it is to try to be always on top, on the move, rushing to be one up, doing well, then striving to do better. There is no time to rest on one’s laurels; the craving for more, making fortune upon fortune is never ending; it’s relentless. You grow big, then you need to become bigger and better than everyone.
Oh! for that beautiful, peaceful sleep. It has evaded me; because I have traded sleep for productivity and profits. My business instinct goads me on: go, make an impact; multiply your profits; leave a legacy behind; make your mark in the world before you go. I have been living and working at a breathless pace, prompted by those haunting voices, which are unstoppable and sometimes, mind-numbing.
Over the years, I have come to realise that desires will never ever slow down and will only pick up further pace, like a brakeless car on the highway ― Unless I decide to control them and stop them now, or may be turn a deaf ear to the sounds.
Or, at least, attempt to shift the goal post and bring it closer to a place that brings me some peace and happiness, instead of mere success. Should I abandon the long marathon, which I had chosen myself? Perhaps, I should decide to run only the half-marathon, because I am closer to reaching it and do not want to run for the other half of my life. Let the others run. They are welcome to do so. My best wishes to them, my competitors.
Success is often interpreted as outdoing one’s own self. We have always been told that shattering your own limits is eternal and critical to survival. We have been conditioned since we are born, in our education and professional lives that a constant effort is the key to retain success.
But, what if I just don’t want all this anymore? Or what if I want to tell the world that I am done and done with what I have or don’t have? What if I proclaim that all this yearning for excellence saddens me and leaves me depleted? And also deprives me of joy. Am I simply not content for what I have already done? Will the world judge me for what I am still to achieve, and for abandoning the mad rat race?
What if all I want is a slow and simple life, as I am most happy in the space of the in-between where peace, calm and tranquillity live? So what if I decide to adopt the philosophy of being content with my current state and have chosen to be at terms with that? What if I don’t want to be anything beyond what I already am?
I am happy being a good son, brother, husband, father, and of course, being a best friend to someone. And these choicest people in my affinity group should know they are loved and that I would choose them again, given the choice. Can this be adequate and enough for them and me?
What if I never build the biggest company in my business but still ensure that a few hundred people we employ are the happiest people working ― and those who like to come to work every single day with smiling faces and enjoy the liberty to take a day off when they don’t want to get up from their beds, without an iota of fear in their minds?
What if I just accept this body of mine that is neither fat nor slim? Just in between. And I don’t force myself with the desire to work out in the gym, only because I value my sleep more than that?
What if I still live in an apartment in a middle class neighbourhood and not in a mansion? But my home is comfortable, cosy, welcoming and serves great food and gives comfort to every family member and welcomes guests who visit?
What if I am not cut out for the frantic rat race of this society and cannot keep up? Because every time I run fast and beat my own limits, someone with limitless energy emerges and runs faster than me? I realise there can be no end to this.
What if I don’t want to promise myself a better life? Because I feel that my life now is a better life already! I don’t want to play the game anymore. Because being in the game is like being in a maze.
I feel I deserve a lot of solitude, understanding, calm ― rest to my mind, body and soul. Can I just say that I deserve this and that what I have done already is just enough? And can I still live happily after this profound proclamation and not be misinterpreted as being closer to the end of my life, desires or my ability to perform? Or that I am going somewhere away! No I am most certainly not.
All I want is that I accept my limitations and stop feeling guilty or inadequate about it. But, instead respect myself for taking this step. All that I desire is that my new-found affection of being in-between is not viewed as my being afraid of excellence. All that I want is a slow (not retarded), simple (and not deprived) life.
That would be enough. It would make me happy and help me remain calm and peaceful ― giving me time to think about others and helping those in need. Do I see joy around the corner?
Harish Motwani is the CEO of Evolve Brands, a leading loyalty consulting company. He is also on the Board of two other start-ups ― an emerging FMCG company and a non-profit, Joy Story Foundation, both of these which he co-founded. He is a passionate marketer and strategy consultant by profession and lives in New Delhi.
A small pause, a little stocktaking, then the required reorientation for course correction happens with its signals and flashes for almost all of us at right place and right time as we keep going through the journey of life. The choice to “run the half-marathon” instead of the never ending, toll taking long run, as the author so decisively speaks, is such an awesome flash of light which comes in a lifetime to take the delightful u-turn for a genuinely fulfilling life.
These moments are indeed Being-cognition moments of life, the most precious ones indeed, which we keep looking for, even as unaware, throughout our life. One who has this cognitive excellence can only work upon it being authentic.
Being in-between, as Haish Ji says, is that big flash which reoriented Buddha Himself, (after seeing a man adjusting the string of his musical instrument to the level of “neither loose nor tense” so that it produces the right music), and the insight there from prompted him to discard the tough path of penance and choose the middle path of being in-between. Yes of course, the ultimate accomplishment, the final Joy lies just there in !
Many thanks for sharing your direct experience Harish Ji.
Loved reading this post . For a moment it seemed that I was going through my thoughts !
I am a doctor and sought premature retirement at the age of 45 yrs., because I used to have similar feeling of being driven by the rat race and prove my capabilities . One fine day by God’s grace and guidance I decided to quit and till date I have never looked back .
Harish ji you are lucky to have received the signals and acted upon . Wish you the very best always ??