Do you remember the time you chose your business/profession/vocation? Why did you choose it? I am sure, most of you were simply in love with it. Let me share my story:
I was in my 12’th standard, studying Accountancy. And boy, I was simply obsessed with Accounts and Finance. I thoroughly enjoyed understanding new concepts in Accounts and then relating those to real life. Let me confess that initially, it was a one-sided affair. Although I was attracted to Finance, it initially eluded me; it didn’t come to me that easily. But within a few weeks of dedicated cajoling, Finance also started responding favorably; now I started understanding it better. And life became such a bliss.
In those days, the Indian Government had announced the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme (VDIS). The entire country was talking about it. I too was intrigued by that concept – VDIS. I used to think about its significance in people’s lives; and also its wider impact at the macro level. I remember reading extensively about VDIS, the rationale behind it, the Government machinery involved, the role of CA’s in that nation-building scheme, etc.
I vividly remember – immediately after finishing my CA, I had bagged my first accounting assignment from a new client Mr. Kantilal Haria, a textile manufacturer. How elated I was! The feeling was not less ecstatic than – as if Romeo, after years of intense longing for his love Juliet, was finally allowed to unite with her.
Those were the best days of my life. I admired my profession. I was in awe of Finance; and I enjoyed romancing with it, reading about it for several hours till late night, and sometimes till dawn, thereby inspiring the popular Bollywood song – “Tujhe subah tak mein karoon pyaaaaaar….”
After spending over 20 years in the finance profession & successfully completing multiple assignments, there came a time when I felt the love had faded off. I had taken my vocation for granted. I missed that excitement while getting new assignments. I missed that curiosity to learn new concepts while working on those assignments. I missed spending “QUALITY TIME” with my first love.
Then one day, I decided I will not let the love of my life die. I decided to rekindle that love; to add spark to our relationship.
Love doesn’t come out of thin air. You can’t simply say that you want love, and you will get it. Love evolves – between the two who “commit” to invest in that relationship.
Invest what? “Time and attention“.
My love for Finance had faded because I had stopped investing in our relationship. Once I realized this, I re-kindled my love affair. I read the latest concepts in Finance; discussed those with my colleagues; attended few thought-provoking seminars, took a keen interest in new client assignments. And within two months, I felt the passion come alive again.
And then we lived happily ever after…
Moral of this story:
After spending several years in our chosen vocation, we start taking it for granted; and then life loses its flavors.
When was the last time, you spent some quiet time romancing with (i.e., reading about) your vocation? When did you assimilate new trends/concepts in your profession? When was the last time, you took an assignment with all the enthusiasm of an apprentice – wanting to deliver the best quality product that anyone else could do?
Let’s rekindle our love. Let’s commit to investing time & attention into it.
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The above article is penned by one of our finance mentors CA Vikram Menda to disseminate the best practices followed by some of the best businesses across the globe.
CA Vikram Menda handholds businesses in implementing new-age tools & techniques of financial management, thereby ensuring cash-rich businesses and timely compliances.