There are many of us who are unnerved by the smallest of disturbances in our lives. There are many who just move on, and accomplish things that are seemingly different.
Be that as it may, we all should learn the art of being prepared for the eventuality, by making every single move that will protect us from the vagaries of nature, that will enable us to be somewhat safe and will move on to do far better things in life.
There are some basic principles, mostly learned from the experiences of others. This article is an attempt to focus on some of these things.
Equipping ourselves with life skills
Whatever we do or wherever we are, it is essential that we equip ourselves with life skills. Today, there are many life skills and each of these skills offers many new opportunities and jobs in very new areas and even entire professions.
What exactly is a life skill? A life skill in today's condition, is something that will help any particular individual to survive and grow in a particular field of specialization. Many of these skills come through practice and hard core experience.
The life skill keeps on changing with every profession and is profession-specific. However, for every educated individual, being IT-savvy and keeping updated on various things is essential. Communication skills, presentation skills, and being street smart are life skills.
Certain profession-related skills are also life skills, and should be taken very seriously.
For example, if one takes up a career in Human Resources, it is essential that he or she learns all the intricacies of each format prescribed by the Government for matters related to the Employees State Insurance (ESI), and the Provident Fund. Unless a person learns through hard core these formats, how to deal with the Government officials, what each audit entails, and what are the likely consequences of any employer not maintaining the appropriate records.
This is a big profession by itself. Three people employed as Junior Officers in a private organization were thrown out of employment, when there was a recession. Each of them were just raw graduates, without any professional qualification. However, they picked up each skill related to each of the aforesaid jobs.
In a nearby district, there were several small contractors employed by a large industrial organization. Since these contractors were not familiar with the Government regulations or the documentation, the junior executives found for themselves, jobs as consultants. Each of them were engaged by not less than ten such contractors and paid two thousand rupees for their services. Each person was able to make twenty thousand rupees and the markets expanded to the neighboring areas where there were so many contractors.
Each of the three guys were also able to enjoy flexible timings, as these jobs demanded a particular quantum of work that could be done whenever they found time. In fact, the three persons were more happy than when they had regular jobs.
Similarly, in marketing, each and every skill has to be acquired through practice.
Taking preventive care
In all matters of health, there are several medicines now available in Ayurveda and Siddha, and it is wise to follow these. Similarly, we should do all that is possible to avoid getting infected and try to keep away for any bad habits. If we do these small things and also save small amounts, these will come in handy. Similarly, we need to be prepared in terms of alternative skill-building or even taking up new jobs. Even these actions are preventive in nature and help us to survive.
Some years ago, in the year 2008, many middle-level executives above 45 years lost their jobs. Quite a number of them were good teachers and took up jobs as Faculty Members in many B-schools. Not only this, they went on to do a Doctorate degree, picked up skills in research and kept themselves so busy that they were able to earn around seventy percent of their salaries. The appropriate mind-set changes were also seen.
Even while buying a piece of land or in terms of investing in a house, we should be prepared to consult a good lawyer to check all the original documents and only then decide to buy a property. If we take any hasty decision, it can do maximum damage.
Investing wisely does not mean any investment. Thousands of people, particularly in South India, invest in chit funds, that are largely unregulated. Most promoters faithfully run away with the whole booty and the investors are left in the lurch.
A time has come when preventive care in every activity of life has become very essential.
Taking advice of well wishers
For every three or four bad people in this world, there are some good people too. Through references, we can easily identify them and relate to them. A huge number of such people do exist in this world.
We can learn many good values, many practical things of life, only from such people, and such people can help us to tide over every difficulty -- big or small -- in life.
Even in matters of choice of careers of children, it is wise to help the children It is wise to allow them to choose what they like and do best, that is, to the best of their own natural abilities.
For example, if a person is good in music, it is essential that we need to allow them to pursue a career in the same profession, by making them pursue a degree course in Final Arts. The child should be enabled to be trained professionally in carnatic music, Hindustani music, instrumental music and so on. This will go naturally with the natural instincts of the child and develop him or her as a full human being.
We should understand that no matter whatever external circumstances we face, we should have the courage to do the right thing, in every decision. Such an effective decision can help us tide over any eventuality.
The global market is the real market
For those in business, it is wise to remember that every single decision made, every single action taken, is done with the global market in mind. Once we are clear about such a market, we need to plan every step to understand what such a market demands, and then develop each and every plan.
For example, there is a huge market for what is called the Tanjore paintings in many corners of the world. Thanks to the reach of the internet, those skilled in painting, are making big waves in this business.
Hence, in whatever we do, we should always ask the relevant questions and be guided by what can be best done in a given situation. Once we do this, we can easily face head-on, every eventuality.