IT folks decide to move out of IT......

I have been hearing this often for quite sometime now.... " I want to quit life at a software park and move into something else ".... Some of the interesting thoughts that I came across...

I want to start a chain of Fresh fruit Juice centers... I want to make it a business empire out of it... I do not know anything about selling fruit juice, but I want to learn in another few years, so I can move out of IT. I believe I can meet a lot of people during my work day.

I want to become a farmer... I have no idea about farming but I want to learn it in another few years, so I can move out of this IT profession. I believe I can make a difference to the world this way.

I want to become an agriculturist... I have an admiration for agriculture, but have no idea what it takes to become an agriculturist... but I want to move out of IT into agriculture. I believe I can stay in touch with Nature and its beauty this way..

I want to own a tea shop... This has to be in a a hill station. I can stay connected to the nature's beauty, observe people and enjoy the peace and quiet of the scenic beauty around.

I want to teach in college.... I love teaching. I want to quit IT life and teach young and ever energetic student crowd.. Will make me grow younger each day.

I want to write for a greeting card company... I want to put in some emotions into my work to make it a nice adorable piece of art... I want to quit IT after I have made money...

I want to teach kindergarten kids... They are such lovely teachers, wonderful friends whose innocence can make my work life interesting... I want to quit IT and move into a K.G school so my life becomes more cheerful and I can smile every minute....

I want to produce a movie... I want to play a small role in it.... I am sure it is more interesting that IT anyday....

I have heard all these so far. Last week I heard that some techie in a very reputed company chose to move out of IT to pursue his interests in Agriculture... He wants to make use of his programming knowledge and acquired knowledge in agriculture to come up with something nicer and profitable for himself and India at large.. He and his family have moved into a small town in Tamil Nadu to start work on this. Coming to think of it, I am sure it takes a lot of strength to give away a plush office space, swipe cards, identity cards, recognition in the name of the company, high-speed computers, ever-available Internet, city traffic, international schools, metro environment, immense bank balance, some five cards - both debit and credit always packed with cash to spend, luxurious life style - party, gifts, drinks, expensive wardrobe, Inox theatres, music and dance, Pepsi and Pizza, posh car, mobile phone that is less of a phone and more of a camera, player, computer, and recorder today... and anything else that you can think of that characterizes an IT professionals' life today.

They say " You have to give up something to gain something ".. May be such a sacrifice will bring big gains to the community.. May be it will involve a lot of struggle.. May be it means a total change in lifestyle... but it also means lot of happiness at the end of the mission..

May be some results are worth sacrificing comforts of IT life... May be it is worth a thought.... May be everyone should consider doing something other than their tried and tested profession someday...

Beware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay

An interesting forward I received:

Beware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay
************************************************************************************************************************** How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?

Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day?

Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened.

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did. So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.'

I began to see garbage trucks. I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.

Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.

Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you?

What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? You'll be happier Here's my bet.

So.. Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe that everything happens for a reason.
If you get a chance , TAKE IT!
If it changes your life , LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!

Outsourcing...

Came across an interesting phrase at work today... just thought on the same lines and came up with this post.

It is about Check lists...The hints on a piece of paper or a scratch pad that come handy when you think your brain is jam-packed with things to do.

I can recall a few main checklists that we have all often heard of or used ourselves:

Travel Check list
Enclosure Check list for a University application
Interview Check list
Shopping List
Banking Check List

I am sure there are a lot more, but all of us would have used atleast one of these checklists..

This minute, when u are reading this post, there would definitely be a number of other thoughts running on your mind...

Have we ever thought what we are exactly doing when we use a check list? According to my friend's remark, we are just 'Outsourcing Thinking'.. :)

An interesting link - Speech by CEO - HP

Get motivated..........

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/execteam/speeches/fiorina/simmons04.html

A friend of mine forwarded this link to me yesterday. I have my opinions on the content of the speech. Still, the speacker deserves appreciation for her courage and perseverance..

Have a motivated Day....