FORMULA OF SUCCESS (CONTD)

You need to acquire professional competence and efficiency as it sets you apart from the crowd. But here, one pitfall should be avoided. It is the tendency to compare your achievements unfavourably with those of others. Such, comparison causes jealousy and frustration.

Remember, the person who is ahead of you today has behind him experience of several years. It is quite possible that your performance may be much better when you will have put in the same number of years in your job. Even otherwise, unfavourable comparison is not desirable.

Once, Rabindranath Tagore was asked if he considered Shakespeare a greater playwright than Kalidas. He said, “Art hates comparisons”. In fact, no two persons are alike. I am I and you are you. Thus, our ways of working and achievements are bound to differ.

The important thing is that instead of comparing yourself with others, you should preserve and nourish the unique identity of your personality. The men who want to move the world and cover themselves with the halo of glory make conscious efforts to build their distinct personalities. Progress of modern civilization bears an eloquent testimony to this fact.

The way you should build your professional competence is this: Become your own rival. See that your performance today is better than what it was yesterday. If you improve yourself steadily day after day, after some time you will realize that your competence has surpassed your dream even. You know that no drop is insignificant in filling a pitcher.

Professional competence is no doubt very important. But the craze for professional competence has positive dangers too. Van Gogh’s masterpieces are known and imitated throughout the world. Yet he committed suicide at the age of thirty-seven.

Frederic Chopin and Edgar Allan Poe were geniuses, had incredible professional ability, yet each died a miserably unhappy man. Why? They had neglected other vital traits of their personalities. So beware lest the competence mania should cause a similar split in your personality.

It is indisputable that professional competance plays a vital role in paving one’s way to success. But it does not bring the desired success unless it is coupled with self-reliance.

Kuldip does not realize the importance of this vital truth. He blames circumstances and luck for his failure. To support his contention, he cites the case of Raman, who has been appointed a manager in a government undertaking because he had the recommendations of a minister. It is true that some persons are able to get profitable positions because of nepotism. But this does not prove the rule.

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