'The letter to my past 20 years'

About the author : This article was shared by Mainak Dahar - CEO of General Mills - a company specializing in food trading based in India, posted on LinkedIn on July 1, 2016. This is the letter he wrote and sent to himself to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his official work with extremely helpful tips for young people who are about to or are experiencing this age. Certainly, you will learn more and have more open minded before officially "entering life".

On July 1, 1996, exactly 20 years ago, the first time I entered an office and took the first full-time job to mark the beginning of my career path. That day, before I went to the company, I imagined what the boss would look like, what tasks I was assigned, and the fact that the lunch I would eat.

After 20 years, 10 bosses, 5 job jumps, 4kg increase and a journey with lots of experience working in many different countries and companies, I came back to the right place where I started: Mumbai . Have I ever thought about working for a corporation for about 20 years? Honestly, perhaps not because at that time, a few years of thought is thought to be long-term. However, when I think of my "20-year-old version" just sitting at the reception desk, waiting to collect the attendants' badges, if I have a chance, what will I tell myself? Below is a letter that I wrote for my past 20 years as a message to young people not like me that day anymore.

Dear,

Congratulations on the first day of a new phase in your life. I am a more experienced, more experienced, more visually appealing version (4kg increase but "reasonably allocated" on the body) that he will become in the future. From then until then, he would have a stack of documents and presentations so much that he cursed Microsoft Office; countless meetings made him feel depressed, bewildered, write poems and go through all the happy and sad moments there.

Don't force me to reveal by telling you everything that will happen to you in the future. If you expect me to tell you, maybe, you will feel disappointed. However, I will give you some advice - the things I wish I had accomplished or perhaps, did earlier and things that you still can do.

1. Congratulations on having your dream job

Enjoy that moment and the feeling of freedom in the early days of your career-building path. It's just that you need to remember that someday, you'll realize that real freedom must come from the fact that you can leave something you once craved instead of trying to cling to it at all costs.

2. He is a writer who works in a small bedroom to earn money, not a person who is in that room just to dream of a dream to become a writer

Maybe I realized this was a bit late. However, I know our identity does not come from what we choose, but something that makes us feel inspired and feel real. Today, I am a husband, father, a writer and those identities do not affect the work I still do everyday. In fact, they also help me make the most of my ability, live with my true nature and do things better.

3. You will never have "enough" money

In the next few months, he will create a "monstrous" excel table and assume he has calculated all of it, including how he will retire after having "enough" money. All of this completely wasted your time. Because if money is what you pursue, your goal is never fixed. I realized this quite early - you probably will know it someday in your career.

4. If you think the meetings last long - where people are constantly arguing is a waste of time, you're right.

20 years have passed and now, I still think like you. So, don't feel guilty every time you start drawing something on paper while you're meeting in the office. In fact, he could use that time to start up the idea for the novel he intended to write.

5. You will learn many things, even a lot from a "bad" boss and a "good" boss.

He will work under the management of the bosses he admires and those he wishes they will disappear immediately. You hate them if you want. However, remember that he will learn a lot from them, even if all he accumulated is something he will not do once he falls into a situation like that. Talking about "shoes", sometimes, he should also put himself in the shoes of the employers. Because, maybe, he would realize that they were not as obnoxious as he imagined, only that they were trying to fulfill their roles as best as possible in a way that was completely different from his will.

6. One day, he will also be a "bad" boss for someone.

7. The "honeymoon" phase will soon end and he will find himself wondering many things about the company and the team are working.

Certainly, don't act thoughtlessly because it's the most entangled thing and I know, you're not that type. By all means, boldly raise your hand when you realize something is wrong. But don't forget, then one day, you'll have no one to blame for mistakes except yourself. So don't just raise your hand to point out the error, but find a solution to fix it. There is no separate entity called "company" - it is made up of many individuals like him and anyone can make a difference. Don't be like me but get used to this fact very soon.

8. Coffee in the office is not as great as you think. Find a way to "live" with it

9. There will be something called "social network", whether you believe it or not, it will help you have thousands of "friends"

However, believe me, the closest friends will be the two or three people you still meet and talk to. It's best to keep in touch with them more often than me.

10. A lot of opportunities will come to you

Don't start just by finding a job and a salary like I used to be at your age. Learn about the culture and the people he will work with. That is really important.

11. Don't stay working too late

The hours of working outside that hour were terrible. It took me several years to realize this. So, I recommend that you spend a certain amount of time each week letting yourself be free.

12. Spend your free time connecting with people

I wasted so much time until I started to expand my relationships by joining the communities and indeed, I could still do this more. Volunteer, help people. The vast world - much bigger than your work and friends - is full of people less fortunate than you.

13. There will always be someone "better" than you

Someone will be promoted faster, smarter, richer, more handsome and lucky than him. Don't be too important to them. In the end, the race was still the best version of him.

14. Drinking juice won't help you get drunk

Just drink and join party (age 20 to do something else?) But if you want to get rid of drunkenness, see article 15 below.

15. One day, he will have to stop drinking and start the habit of running 10km / day

Do it before me and you won't get a 28 kg increase so you have to practice it to lose 24 kg.

16. Don't worry when people say that you're wasting time playing Doom and Command & Conquer

A few years later, Gamification (application of game components in other areas) will become very interesting and a part of business. So, feel free to "throw" yourself.

17. You haven't really left your parents

Someday, they will leave you forever. Obviously, independence is a great thing but remember, parents will not be with him for the rest of their lives. So, spend a lot of time with them and you won't have to regret like I do now.

18. One day, a voice in the head will say that the woman he just met is "that person".

Listen to it (who knows, maybe that voice is that I tried to go back to the past to chat with you again). Don't be lazy like before, start chasing after her, even if you find that you are turning into a fool yourself. Everything will end well - please believe me.

19. Don't be too nervous with your father

One day, he will also become a father and every time he does something wrong, he will sympathize with his father. He will soon realize that his father is not easy at all.

20. Everything will be fine

You will make many mistakes, you will be hurt, you will have bad days but you know, no one owes you a happy life. You need to look for things and people that make you happy.

I wrote this letter to you when I was surrounded by a wonderful family that will someday be yours, after a day of work in a place where I really like and care about the cities. team members, and refresh themselves when they have finished a few books, he will be happy to write them later.

Is everything in my life perfect? No way! There have been many things that happened not like my will in the past. Absolutely. But to be fair, I think I have made a positive difference to the people around me and that is the last thing, he will find them really important.

Wish you luck in the next 20 years.