I was always told by my parents, “Beta, clear IIT-JEE exam and that will make your life.”
Getting into IIT is one thing and then continously evolving from there is something completely different. It took a while to understand that.
I always wonder, a lot of people in Hockey circles must have told others: “Just visit Olympics, don’t worry about ‘medals’ and that will make your life”
Whether or not you learn to coach after that or if at all you watch any international matches or did you actually win any medals in Olympics or how quickly have moved on in “Hockey Technology” or what have you contributed at the grass root levels, doesn’t really matter. What you achieved 10 .. or 20 .. or may be, 30 years back, will keep getting you glory forever.
That is where our Indian Hockey is …. still cashing on that glory..!!
Ric Charlesworth says in one of the TV interviews:
I think you have to keep learning from your opponents. This was one of the greatest mistakes that India made.
Once I had gone to one of the IIMs and there one of the very learned professors told something like, “How about trying to write your own obituary?”. Different idea, for sure!
I was quite enthused and wrote it and went to the professor in a minute. She smiled and told me, “This is fine but I want you to put a little thought into it and think that when people read it, what is it that they will remember about you? So, think of your qualities that you wish to be remembered for.”
A lot of us can benefit from this exercise, including Hockey professionals!
There is no harm in attending a few courses at one of the IIMs…!