I was watching the first episode of the third season of "The Apprentice". Apprentice has been one of best TV shows I have ever watched during my lifetime. I really mean it. It inspires me a lot but makes me sad as well. I sometimes wonder there are people of same age as me who have achieved so much as compared to me. I definately have achieved a lot academically. I also have a really good job and am enjoying every moment of it. But somewhere deep down in my mind I feel I could have achieved a lot more in my life.
I sometimes wonder how would my life be if I had taken over my father's transportation business rather than coming to the US for further studies. I am sure I would have faired well because I think I am practical and definately have good people skills. I have exhibited it by successfully conducting number of extra curicular activities during my under grad as well as graduate studies. All of these activities involved a fair number of people and I was successful in handling in them. Also during my undergraduate days I had started my own company called Dynne along with a classmate of mine. We made some really good money by delivering software to clients in the US. But alas, the company died as soon as I took up a job with i-flex after my undergrad.
I won't say I am not successful, I definately am but also I am far far away from being satisfied. Infact I might even die unsatisfied. Someone might say I am over ambitious, but I can't help that. I have been thinking about this for a while now and some how I feel the Indian culture that me and my family posses has definately limited me. Most of the Indians consider getting a good and stable job as their ultimate goal. We call it settling down in life. Even my father, though a successful business man never encouraged me to take risks. He always wanted me to come over to the US rather than take over his business. He always thought that my life would be better here in the US. I definately agree that this country is unbeatable as far as the provisions that a common man gets here. The law is awesome too. Anyone including foriegn nationals can live a happy life here if you are well educated and hard working. I am really thankful to be here.
But what about my satisfaction? Am I really satisfied. Wouldn't it have been more fun expanding my father business or continuing working for my own company? I really love the way the American culture encourages entrepreneurship. People here become independent at a very young age. They do not fear taking risks, going overaboard. I know most of them fail but some do succeed and when they do, they make it big. I really wish my country (India) encouraged that kind of creative freedom and risk taking attitude but honestly I think it's our culture partly to be blame. However above all it's me who is to be blamed since inspite of knowing this I am not ready to do anything about it. But one day things will change for me, they definately will, I promise you that....
