How does it feel to here in ThoughtWorks?!
Hardly a week later, I realise, "Happy" is a terrible understatement!
I feel like on Top of The World!
Yesterday I had the privilege to listen to Roy our chairmain/founder talk. Boy it was the most inspiring speech I had ever heard. His speech answered all the queries I had about this place. He's an amazing personality. And someone with a great sense of humour!
Now I know the secret behind this place.... Roy!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Coincidence?!
Coincidence?!
Do you believe in coincidences? I do not. For what often seems like a random coincidence is something that was meant to happen. But understanding why and how is beyond us. Ours is to merely appreciate.
What do you have to say about the below? Mere coincidence? Or does it mean something more?
Well, one fine day I am writing a blog entry and am thinking of a title and suddenly the title flashes into my head, “Thoughts@Work”. Hmm, have I heard this name before? No. But why does it seem familiar...I couldn't figure.
The next day am reading a blog, and guess what, the author is an employee of a company called ThoughtWorks.
Ok, cool. It seems there does exist a company named ThoughtWorks somewhere. But not in India I guess. Never heard of it.
The day after am reading Joel’s India job listings and what do I see there?
ThoughtWorks India is hiring! I couldnt believe it. ThoughtWorks has an India office. That too in Pune! And they are hiring!
My seeing this ad just when I was looking for a new job, coinicidence?
Or Someone trying to show me the path!
And the biggest coincidence of them all? That all this happened during Easter time.
Well, you see, Easter symbolises the end of the old way and the start of a new life.
Just what I was about to do too.
Do you believe in coincidences? I do not. For what often seems like a random coincidence is something that was meant to happen. But understanding why and how is beyond us. Ours is to merely appreciate.
What do you have to say about the below? Mere coincidence? Or does it mean something more?
Well, one fine day I am writing a blog entry and am thinking of a title and suddenly the title flashes into my head, “Thoughts@Work”. Hmm, have I heard this name before? No. But why does it seem familiar...I couldn't figure.
The next day am reading a blog, and guess what, the author is an employee of a company called ThoughtWorks.
Ok, cool. It seems there does exist a company named ThoughtWorks somewhere. But not in India I guess. Never heard of it.
The day after am reading Joel’s India job listings and what do I see there?
ThoughtWorks India is hiring! I couldnt believe it. ThoughtWorks has an India office. That too in Pune! And they are hiring!
My seeing this ad just when I was looking for a new job, coinicidence?
Or Someone trying to show me the path!
And the biggest coincidence of them all? That all this happened during Easter time.
Well, you see, Easter symbolises the end of the old way and the start of a new life.
Just what I was about to do too.
Moments that Changed My Life!
There are those moments when something that we have read or experienced leaves us feeling very inspired. Many a time it has been a movie or a book that has left me with that feeling.
Why this post? Well, I had a series of inspirational moments over a short span of just 10 days, which is what actually made me look for a new job. It was as if the entire the universe was inspiring me and encouraging me to take the take the decision to follow my heart.
Here I recount those moments,
1. Reading Milan Gupta, BT Code Red Chief's blog,
"Currently work for a large telecom company as the technical fixer for the CIO. Have been a CIO myself, been there done that with the lots of people reporting to me thingy. Realized that at the core, I am a technical guy and have more fun being hands-on so .. current job, which allows me to deal with the thorniest technical issues and no administrative burdens or barriers, suits me just fine :-)"
He leads the team assigned to fix the technical issues plaguing any IT project in BT. These lines really struck a chord in me. This was exactly what I had began to feel too and what I wanted to do, hands-on technical work rather than management.
2. Reading Steve Jobs talk about his near death experience after being diagnosed with cancer,
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
This made me think.What if I were to die tomorrow?. No. I am yet do anything in life. And that set me thinking again on what I was doing with my life.
Is this the way I want to live? Far away from the things that I loved doing. Far away from the things that I gave me most joy.Far away from the things that I knew I was good at.
Reading these words made me realise that life can end anytime. And I did not want to have any regrets later when the inevitable would arrive.
3. Chancing upon an amazing book while being bed-ridden. The Fountainhead.
"I have let's say, sixty years to live.
Most of that time will be spent working.
I have chosen the work I want to do.If I find no joy in it, then
I am condemning myself to 60 yrs of torture.
And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me.
"
I could really identify with protagonist in the book and Ayn Rand's philosophy.
4. "Dead Poet's Society"
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."
Some movies transform. Leaving you changed. This was one such movie that left me feeling very inspired.
"Dead Poets' Society is an Academy Award winning 1989 film, directed by Peter Weir.
Set in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher,John Keating, at a highly conservative and autocratic boys' school who inspires his students to make changes to their lives of conformity through his teaching of poetry and literature.
I could really identify with Robin William’s strikingly different way of teaching poetry to his students. That’s the way I like to approach my work.
Another memorable scene is where John Keating stands on the table in front of his class and encourages his students to do the same, an encouragement to look at the world in a different way.
5. The movie ‘Guru’.
Guru was ofcourse another inspirational movie about one man who knew he had it in him to become big. And he set out to do it, succeeding against all odds.
One of my favourite quotes from the movie, “If I am really that good as you say, why should I work for you. I want to work for myself.”
6. Joel.
"OK, it's live! I've put up a new version of the job board specifically for jobs in India, jobs.joelonsoftware.co.in.
To help fill it up, posting a job is only $50—about 2200 rupees.
Unlike the huge boards, Monsterindia, Naukri.com, etc., a job posted to Joel on Software will get far fewer resumes, but they will be of much higher quality, and as usual, we'll return your money if you're not completely satisfied.
Not loving your job? Visit the Joel on Software Job Board: Great software jobs, great people."
Joel's announcement of a India job board had me excited already. And then I saw this listing of a company called ThoughtWorks. I decide to apply, thinking that this may be the place where I can do what I want to do.
And I do get through within a week!
Leaving one's comfort zone is not easy.
These events helped me overcome all my mental obstacles and take that leap of faith.
I now realise that all we need to do is, to listen. To listen to the words around us. The Signs. The Omens.
These are put on our path by God. To inspire us to take the decisions that will lead us to our destiny.
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
- The Alchemist.
Why this post? Well, I had a series of inspirational moments over a short span of just 10 days, which is what actually made me look for a new job. It was as if the entire the universe was inspiring me and encouraging me to take the take the decision to follow my heart.
Here I recount those moments,
1. Reading Milan Gupta, BT Code Red Chief's blog,
"Currently work for a large telecom company as the technical fixer for the CIO. Have been a CIO myself, been there done that with the lots of people reporting to me thingy. Realized that at the core, I am a technical guy and have more fun being hands-on so .. current job, which allows me to deal with the thorniest technical issues and no administrative burdens or barriers, suits me just fine :-)"
He leads the team assigned to fix the technical issues plaguing any IT project in BT. These lines really struck a chord in me. This was exactly what I had began to feel too and what I wanted to do, hands-on technical work rather than management.
2. Reading Steve Jobs talk about his near death experience after being diagnosed with cancer,
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."
This made me think.What if I were to die tomorrow?. No. I am yet do anything in life. And that set me thinking again on what I was doing with my life.
Is this the way I want to live? Far away from the things that I loved doing. Far away from the things that I gave me most joy.Far away from the things that I knew I was good at.
Reading these words made me realise that life can end anytime. And I did not want to have any regrets later when the inevitable would arrive.
3. Chancing upon an amazing book while being bed-ridden. The Fountainhead.
"I have let's say, sixty years to live.
Most of that time will be spent working.
I have chosen the work I want to do.If I find no joy in it, then
I am condemning myself to 60 yrs of torture.
And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best way possible to me.
"
I could really identify with protagonist in the book and Ayn Rand's philosophy.
4. "Dead Poet's Society"
"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."
Some movies transform. Leaving you changed. This was one such movie that left me feeling very inspired.
"Dead Poets' Society is an Academy Award winning 1989 film, directed by Peter Weir.
Set in 1959, it tells the story of an English teacher,John Keating, at a highly conservative and autocratic boys' school who inspires his students to make changes to their lives of conformity through his teaching of poetry and literature.
I could really identify with Robin William’s strikingly different way of teaching poetry to his students. That’s the way I like to approach my work.
Another memorable scene is where John Keating stands on the table in front of his class and encourages his students to do the same, an encouragement to look at the world in a different way.
5. The movie ‘Guru’.
Guru was ofcourse another inspirational movie about one man who knew he had it in him to become big. And he set out to do it, succeeding against all odds.
One of my favourite quotes from the movie, “If I am really that good as you say, why should I work for you. I want to work for myself.”
6. Joel.
"OK, it's live! I've put up a new version of the job board specifically for jobs in India, jobs.joelonsoftware.co.in.
To help fill it up, posting a job is only $50—about 2200 rupees.
Unlike the huge boards, Monsterindia, Naukri.com, etc., a job posted to Joel on Software will get far fewer resumes, but they will be of much higher quality, and as usual, we'll return your money if you're not completely satisfied.
Not loving your job? Visit the Joel on Software Job Board: Great software jobs, great people."
Joel's announcement of a India job board had me excited already. And then I saw this listing of a company called ThoughtWorks. I decide to apply, thinking that this may be the place where I can do what I want to do.
And I do get through within a week!
Leaving one's comfort zone is not easy.
These events helped me overcome all my mental obstacles and take that leap of faith.
I now realise that all we need to do is, to listen. To listen to the words around us. The Signs. The Omens.
These are put on our path by God. To inspire us to take the decisions that will lead us to our destiny.
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
- The Alchemist.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Last Day..Leaving Infy
Last Day.
This is how I felt on my last day at Infy.
I can’t believe it. Today has been the day I had been waiting for since one and half month. I am now a free man. I have finally being relieved of my job. I should be so happy. But still....why am I not feeling happy.
My brain tells me, hey you should be celebrating. But I am just unable to do so. I am actually feeling sad. Almost numb. Suddenly the feeling, the significance of what I have done is dawning on me.
This was my place. My building. The food courts, the CCD, the open spaces. I no longer have any right over them.
This was my team. I no longer am with them.
That was my badge, a companion for the last 4 years, an eyewitness to all that I had done. I cannot explain what I felt giving it back. Almost like returning a part of me.
I have been so used to all the things that I did here, day in day out. Now no more. Everything will soon be a memory.
It’s going to take me sometime to recover. I still can’t believe that I am no longer in Infy! That I am no longer in FastService, my team.
I guess I am going to really miss the people I have been used to seeing daily. I am going to really miss this place. Knowing very well that I will never be returning back to this place.
Bye Bye Infy. I had the time of my life here. Too many beautiful memories. Thank You!
"Sad to say, I am on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, My head is turning around,
I have to leave my little girl,
in Kingston Town."
This is how I felt on my last day at Infy.
I can’t believe it. Today has been the day I had been waiting for since one and half month. I am now a free man. I have finally being relieved of my job. I should be so happy. But still....why am I not feeling happy.
My brain tells me, hey you should be celebrating. But I am just unable to do so. I am actually feeling sad. Almost numb. Suddenly the feeling, the significance of what I have done is dawning on me.
This was my place. My building. The food courts, the CCD, the open spaces. I no longer have any right over them.
This was my team. I no longer am with them.
That was my badge, a companion for the last 4 years, an eyewitness to all that I had done. I cannot explain what I felt giving it back. Almost like returning a part of me.
I have been so used to all the things that I did here, day in day out. Now no more. Everything will soon be a memory.
It’s going to take me sometime to recover. I still can’t believe that I am no longer in Infy! That I am no longer in FastService, my team.
I guess I am going to really miss the people I have been used to seeing daily. I am going to really miss this place. Knowing very well that I will never be returning back to this place.
Bye Bye Infy. I had the time of my life here. Too many beautiful memories. Thank You!
"Sad to say, I am on my way,
Won't be back for many a day,
My heart is down, My head is turning around,
I have to leave my little girl,
in Kingston Town."
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