WHAT'S NEXT???

‘What’s next’ isn’t just another question; it is a deep-rooted habit. I can probably even define my life journey through a series of ‘what’s next’ questions.

April 2005
“How were your exams? What’s next? Science, commerce, or arts?”

September 2005
“Good you chose science as your career stream. What’s next? Medicine or engineering?”

June 2009
“How’s your engineering going? What’s next? MS or MBA?”

July 2011
“MBA admit from an IIM. Wow! So, what’s next? Investment banking or FMCG?”

 July 2015
“Congrats on your promotion. So, what’s next? Buying a house or car? Marriage?”

And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes I wonder, is life meant to be an assembly line where every step has to sequentially follow another, and every pause is equivalent to a failed system? Do we have to constantly think about where we want to go or what we want to do next? Is that how we are supposed to be wired? Then I wonder, if everyone’s living this way, perhaps that’s how it’s supposed to be! Maybe, I am a misfit in this world.

While all the above examples are external, we too are guilty of letting the ‘what’s next’ attitude turn us into robotic task-executioners. The result is a restless, frustrated, and agitated mind that does not know how to take a step back, reflect, pause, and enjoy the present. Think for a second and answer, when was the last time you truly lived a moment when your mind was fully in the present?

In a fast-paced world of imminent tasks and urgent action items, the ‘what’s next’ bug stops us from being happy and at peace. How many of us check our emails first thing in the morning and mentally create a schedule for the day? How many of us think about the Monday morning team meeting while having dinner on Sunday? Let’s be honest here, we all do. And then we complain about the lack of a ‘work-life balance.’ Would we feel happier if we start each day with a broad smile, talk to our loved ones for a few minutes, invest some time in our hobbies, eat a healthy breakfast with a clear mind, and then start thinking about the myriad priorities that need to be tackled at the workplace?

The same principle applies to relationships too. Have you ever been guilty of overly thinking about the next big family trip, instead of just appreciating and enjoying the weekend dinners? Do you overthink about where is your romantic relationship heading, instead of just enjoying the present? Can we instead spend a few minutes each day to think about three things that make our present truly wonderful?

While I have been overtly critical about the ‘what’s next’ attitude, at times, such attitude is necessary to provide a meaning and purpose to life. It gives us a sense of direction and predictability about the way forward. It helps us progress without getting too complacent in the current state. Imagine if Apple wouldn’t have asked ‘what’s next’, would they have created the Apple watch? Let’s be blunt. The world is competitive; ‘what’s next’ thus becomes important and integral to progress and growth.

Having said that, we can all learn the importance of living in the present, and being appreciative about what we have versus always trying to think ahead. 

 Going forward, I will spend the last weekend of every month, aimlessly strolling in the city, reflecting on the month gone by, without thinking about what’s next. After all, journeys shouldn’t always have a destination and life shouldn’t always have an agenda……

Comments

  1. gudakeshSeptember 13, 2015 at 1:27 AM

    nice read!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ninad BhangleSeptember 13, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 14, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    See the last para you still saying about doing it on the last weekend of the month. Putting it down on your calendar. There's no need for a time to wander about :) the best moments are the ones that happen without planning. Good luck. Nice read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ninad BhangleSeptember 17, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    Thank you. Agree with your comment. Best moments are always unplanned :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ninad BhangleSeptember 17, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    Thank you. Agree with your comment. Best moments are always unplanned :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Your precious suggestions::

Popular posts from this blog

TO YOU, MY MOTHER!!

Image
To you , my mother!! Today I really want to say something, To you, my mother, my creator. Thank You, for everything you've done, I need you, I really do, Please stay by my side forever.... I remember a day of the past, When you held my little finger, Took me to school the very first day. I was crying, terribly upset, Coz i didn't want to stay away from you. I remember how i used to cry, When every morning you went to the dispensary. I needed you then, i need you even now. I need your guidance, your advice. I need your backing, your support. Today I really want to say something, To you, my mother, my creator, Over the past few years, You've become my guide, my mentor, I need you, i really do, Please stay by my side forever.... I am indeed very lucky, To have a mother as sweet as you. I am indeed very lucky, To have someone who cares for me, Who appreciates my achievements with glee, Yet equally stern when i am wrong. You have a heart of gold, my mother, Please stay by my sid
Read more

YOU HAVE ENRICHED MY LIFE!!

Image
You have enriched my life!! In an era where happy marriages are an illusion, In you I see love so untainted, so true, It is pleasantly surprising and gladdening, And I feel so lucky to spend my life with you, The twinkle in your eyes; the caring look on your face, I see, as I open my eyes every morning, I feel your soft hands gently stroking my forehead, The moment is beyond doubt, refreshing, I feel excited while coming back from work, Knowing someone’s eagerly waiting for me, And as we sit and share the day’s happenings, All my worries vanish; I feel happy and free, Sweetheart, let me hold you for a moment, And let all the memories flow, From the first time we met, the first time we kissed, To the birth of our children, and seeing them grow, The times spent with you have been priceless, And I can’t imagine living even a day without you, Dear, your smile mesmerizes me even now, I can spend my whole life merely gazing at you. I feel like praising you all the time, For you are a
Read more

DRAVID: THE UNSUNG HERO!!

Image
Dravid: The unsung hero!! An epitome of perseverance was he, A man of resolve; like a wall he stood, Weathering every belligerent storm with ease, Every single time, without an interlude, An epitome of ethics, an ideal sportsman was he, He made us believe, cricket’s still a gentleman’s game, For rarely he shouted, cursed or resorted to unfair means, Never did we see him bring our country’s reputation to shame, An epitome of selflessness was he, A man who would have walked on fire for his team, He did everything he was asked to do; and more, He would die saving someone else’s life, it does seem, An epitome of humility, a true altruist was he, For never in his life was he seen flaunting his records, Preferring instead to be a shadow, an unsung hero, A man who served; without expecting rewards, An epitome of loyalty was he, Like a mother loves her child since birth, Every step he took was in the interest of the country, Yet who never r
Read more