Right from my playing days as a junior in the Indian Hockey team, I used to keep a small green diary with me (this was pre-mobile, pre-tablet era) at all times. I would write my experiences, learnings and motivational quotes which would keep me going during tough times. Today in the midst of the corporate world as the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, stories in this diary still make so much sense and I would like to share these anecdotes with you: the Top 3 in my Green Diary.
1. Lack of funds does not hamper work, lack of dedicated workers does - Jamnalal Bajaj
Vijay Kumar is one shooter we greatly respect at OGQ. We have been supporting him since 2010, and not once did I hear him grumbling about lack of funds for training or shortage of ammunition. He never complained about a cramped training schedule or lack of quality support staff for the Indian team. He did what he knew best: train like a disciplined army man. This pistol shooter quietly went about accomplishing his task of winning the silver medal at the London Olympics. I know so many athletes who always crib for the best equipments, kit, etc and yet when it comes to delivering at the grand stage, they fail.
Similarly in corporate life, I advise you to make the best of the resources you have and focus on the task. Results will follow.
2. Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right - Henry Ford
Mary Kom is the most inspirational lady I have ever met in my life. She came from a village in Imphal where people -- including her family -- were against girls taking up boxing. She continued to fight and went on to win multiple world championships. Mary took a sabbatical from sports for 2 years in 2006. She got married, delivered twins and came back to win 2 more world championships. OGQ signed her in 2009 and she went on to win her fifth world championship in 2010. She was 28 by then and many people thought she was past her prime. Mary had other thoughts. OGQ made a detailed plan with Mary Kom keeping in mind that for the London Olympics, Mary would have to shift from 46kg to 51kg. We identified a world class foreign coach and physio for her and she gave her 200% in the training camps. If anyone had the will, determination and grit to win an Olympic medal for India, it was Mary Kom. I salute the courage and perseverance of Mary Kom.
Many times you will feel like giving up on your job or scared to take a risk. Mary is a shining example of converting criticism into inspiration and always believing in yourself.
3. You must be the change you want to see - Mahatma Gandhiji
This is the motto we have adopted at OGQ. The easiest thing to do about the Indian sport scene is to complain: "A population of 1.2 billion and just handful of Olympic medals". We realized early that there are lot of hurdles and problems in our country. The best we could do was to focus on the good things and ensure our athletes got the support they deserved. We worked on plugging the gaps in the preparation of our athletes, rather than complaining and grumbling on the problems ailing the sports structure. We believed that sports in India will grow once young people have good role models to follow. Six Indian athletes won medals at the London Olympics (a record haul for India) and 4 are supported by OGQ. This is a watershed moment in the history of Indian sports. Kids across the country are inspired to take up sports. Parents believe their kids can make a career in Olympic sports. Government is pumping more funds and federations are getting more professional. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but we believe we have played a small role in this big change.
Companies, mostly big ones, sometimes hesitate to make changes. For young professionals it can become suffocating to work in such an environment. But, instead of complaining about the system, go and be the change. Show people the pros of a change and systems will change for good.
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