"When you are doing any work, do no think of anything beyond. Do it...as the highest worship, and devote your whole life to it for the time being."

The Monk who said this, Vivekananda, was practical. His spiritual strength, sharp intellect and relentless work gave him insights that could impact corporate work culture just as much as they enrich monastic life. Whatever our sphere of work or place in the corporate hierarchy. Few among us would describe our jobs as being easy. Preoccupied with what we have to do from one work day to another, we have little time to reflect on whether we have got the 'hows' and 'whys' right. When agonizing over right and wrong; When choosing the easy compromise over a more complicated but possible better option.

Vivekananda's belief acts as a benchmark. "He who is over cautious about himself faces danger at every step. He who is afraid of losing honor and respect gets only disgrace; He who is afraid of loss, always loses". Overcoming the fear of losing, not worrying incessantly about what the workplace universe may think of you. try to work for work's sake.

Vivekananda also says to avoid looking wistfully, or with bitterness at what seem like more relevant and rewarding roles than your own.

"No man can long occupy a position for which he is not fit. By doing well the duty which is nearest to us, which is in our hands now, we make ourselves stronger, and improving our strength in this manner, we may reach a state in which it shall be our privilege to do the most coveted duties..." you'll get what you deserve, not what you desire; so work primarily to change what you deserve and the rest will follow. He advocates neither submissiveness nor envy.

A calm perspective yields contentment as opposed to the feeling of dissatisfaction that often overwhelms us at the work. "We find ourselves in the position for which we are fit, and if one has some capacity above another, the world will find that out, too...He reminds us that.

"We are all apt to think too highly of ourselves. We determine what our duties and to a much larger extent than we are willing to admit. Competition arouses envy, and kills the kindliness of the heart."

In the course of moving up the professional ladder, you are tempted to agree more with yourself. Then comes the inclination to bring others into your fold, and convert them to your point of view.

But a lesson that Vivekananda learnt from Sri Ramakrishna is that you could learn,too. Ramakrishna shied away from the weakness that sainthood brings, of preaching to ensure a following.

Vivekananda explains "His principles was, first form character, and results will come of themselves...Be in no hurry to give thoughts to others. First have something to give! Know truth for yourself, and there will be many to whom you can't teach it afterwords; they will all come."

We first need to improve on what we have to give, and not hasten to teach or preach believing we have learnt enough. If we hone our skills and build our character, those who wish to acquire them from us will come of their own accord; we need not rush to act as dispensers of wisdom. Let's make a beginning by improving ourselves first.
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p.s - The following article was found in a book named " Horizon" a journal which I read on a regular basis. I thought about sharing it here with you all. Hope you liked it.