warikoo Wanderings

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WE WERE TAUGHT PATIENCE. YOU WEREN'T

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This week I wrote an article, about how the GenZ (those born after the year 2000) are so different from the rest of us.
The article was being discussed in our ISB WhatsApp group this morning, echoing the same sentiment that this generation is indeed quite different.
To the extent it is hard to manage.

I know most of my audience is between 18-24 years of age. And over the past 2 years I have had the unique privilege of interacting with this generation quite closely.

Here is something I have realized about the younger generation, which I believe is one of the biggest reasons for a generation gap.

While growing up, we did not have everything served on a platter.
I remember, waiting for 3 YEARS to get our first telephone connection, after applying for it, and that too after visiting the offices several times and most likely a few bribes here and there.
I remember waiting in line every evening at 430pm, with a "doodh ki balti" (a milk bucket) in front of Mother Dairy store. It used to be a 45 min adventure everyday.
I remember waiting in line for 3 hours, once every month, to buy a bus pass (that gave us unlimited bus rides for 30 days) as a college student.
I remember waiting for a day, to "book" a trunk call in order to call our relatives outside of Delhi.
I remember writing letters and waiting weeks for it to reach. And a few more weeks to hear back.
I remember planning meticulously to meet my friend at PVR Priya at 4pm, taking a bus, reaching there and then waiting for 2 hours for him to show up. There was no way to know if I could leave, or to figure where was he!

I remember waiting!
For almost everything.

It was agonizing. Frustrating. Mind numbing.
But we had no choice.
But to wait.

And you know what happened?
We learnt what it is to wait.
Not by choice.
Not by design, mind you.
We were living life, in a world, where we HAD TO WAIT!

GenZ - have had a very different experience.
Imagine being born into the internet.
Everything that you need or want, is available, when you want it!
You want a book? Click!
You want clothes? Click!
You want the latest movies? Click!
You want food? Click!
You want love? Swipe right!

Everything, available at the speed of thought, delivered to your doorstep!

For no fault of yours, you have never had to wait!

And this small difference, makes all the difference.

We are raising a generation that is not trained to wait.
They want, rightfully so, everything instantly.
We would have wanted the same thing. Just that we didn't have a choice.
You do!

But it also poses a big challenge.
You don't just want things instantly.
You want experiences and emotions also instantly.

You spend 6 months in a new job and feel frustrated because you are not creating "impact".
You invest for a year and feel frustrated, because you are not generating high returns.
You date someone for 3 months and feel frustrated, because you are not moving fast enough.

You, my friend, for no fault of yours, have not been told that the most meaningful things in life - love, joy, contentment, meaning, fulfillment - take time.
Good things take time!

So where does this leave you?
With no other option, but to practice waiting.
To learn the art of it.
To orchestrate waiting in your life, while living in a world where you do not have to wait!

Because if you don't, you will always feel that you are not moving fast enough.
When the truth is - you are moving just as fast as you could. And it's going to make you reach just in time.
You just don't know it!

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BOOK I AM READING THIS WEEK

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This week I am reading one of my most desired books for a long time - Stillness is the key, by Ryan Holiday.
Ryan runs The Daily Stoic, which is an awesome platform about life.
The book is all about finding "Samta" in your life - that zone where you are neither too elated, nor too sad about everything that happens to you.

Exceptional read. Please pick it up if you love to read about life and how to take charge.

If you are not actively into reading, or have never read a book, my first book "DO EPIC SHIT" was written for you. It has no start, no finish and can be opened to any page to start reading. You can order it here :)

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QUOTES TO SHARE

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Don't chase the answers. Chase the questions.
​(Share on Twitter)​

Ignore the critics. Not the criticism.
​(Share on Twitter)​

The worst type of manager is the one who makes it incredibly tough for you to give them bad news.
​(Share on Twitter)​

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RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION

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Last week, I asked you:

When was the last time you said "I love you" to anyone (including yourself)?

1. Today
2. This week
3. This month
4. In the last 12 months
5. Do not remember

Here are the responses:

Observations:

1. Clearly, as you age, you say "I love you" a lot more! Was that surprising for you to realize?
2. Not just a lot more, you also say it more often (if recency can be used as a proxy here!)
3. Why is that? My guess is because as you grow old, and have your own family you tend to have your partner and kids to say "I love you" to. However, as teenagers and growing adults, we are almost always at war with our parents and hence don't say it as much :)

So in case you feel you are weird that you don't have anyone to say "I love you" to - you are possibly not alone!
At the same time, no one was ever hurt by hearing "I love you". So, say it as much as you can :)

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PICTURE OF THE WEEK

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Me eating carrot, while posing for this section of the newsletter, because I realized I do not have a pic to share :))

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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

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Do you play any sport actively (at least 3 times a week)?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Planning to start

​Click here to let me know your answer (anonymously)​​​​​

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THIS WEEK'S CONTENT

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Podcast:​
Title of episode: Those paper boats
​Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, JioSaavn or Gaana.

YouTube:​
Title of video: My meditation journey
​You can watch it here.​

Instagram:​
Title of video: 3 Things to run after, in your 20s
​You can watch it here.​

Twitter:​
Title of thread: I asked people "When was the last time you cried?"
​You can read it here.​

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You can, of course, always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter.

I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.
​​​(COVID 2022 mein khatam ho jaane ki kasam!)

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