The Element - How Finding your passion changes everything

Every day I ask myself several questions – Am I satisfied with my day? Do I like my work? Did I enjoy doing it? And like me there are several thousands of people who ask similar questions. Some of them may feel good about it and some of them will always feel restless and uncomfortable about it. There could be several reasons for why one is not feeling good about what he or she is doing. The question is - Are we really passionate enough to do ‘that’ job for our living? Do we have that ‘element’ in us to be in the ‘zone’ or the ‘flow’? 

In his book The Element, Sir Ken Robinson tries to answer some of the critical questions quoted above. He defines the Element as the meeting point between the natural aptitude and personal passion. It is the place where things you love to do and the things that you are good at come together. Being in your ‘element’, keeps you in the zone, or in the flow. It is something that when you are in your element, the activity gives you energy all the time and it does not take away your energy. Like a painter who will never get tired of painting and who will always have energy to paint what he or she likes; Or like a musician who will always in the zone of creating amazing music. 

The next question that comes to my mind is that ‘Do I have that Element in me?’ or have I identified my element? Or why am I not pursuing my passion and instead doing some lousy job that I do not like to do? Which is my zone? Is it painting? Or is it fixing my bike? Or is it travelling? Or writing? Or teaching? Or is it photography? 

Sir Ken Robinson, like all others who have quoted extensively, tries to convey the same message that we are all born with some amazing talents and capacities, but as we grow older we will lose the touch without talents. The much quoted saying by Albert Einstein ‘I was born intelligent, education ruined me’ becomes very much alive. Sir Ken Robinson too, blames and rightly points out at our stringent education system. He says schools educate creativity out of us. 

When I started reading the book, it sounded more like Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow – The Psychology of Optimal Experience. The chapter about ‘Being in the Zone’ talks very much about the book Flow. It was a great inspirational feeling while reading both these books. It challenges us to identify that element in us to keep ourselves happy in the zone. And it fights against the traditional education system that succeeded in limiting our knowledge and learning abilities. 

There are many inspiring stories in the book and every story has its message for you. Most the stories interestingly prove that in most of the cases education system never helped anyone reaching their element or finding their zone. For example Paul McCartney, Mick Fleetwood, Richard Branson, Matt Groening, Ewa Laurance and many more. The below story is one such eye opener. 

...there was an eight-year-old girl named Gillian who couldn’t sit still in class. Today, they might say she had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and give her Ritalin, Robinson says. A psychologist reached a different conclusion. 

“Gillian isn’t sick,” he said. “She’s a dancer. Take her to a dance school.” 

Gillian Lynne would become a soloist with the Royal Ballet and work with Andrew Lloyd Webber to create musicals such as “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” 

Some of the stories are very shocking and quite challenging to believe. Like Paulo Coelho’s story of going against with the family was very revealing. His parents believed that he would waste his life on writing that they repeatedly placed him in a psychiatric institution where he underwent shock therapy. But he never gave up and he has become one of the inspiring writers across the world. 

Robinson says don’t ask how intelligent you are. The correct question he says to ask is: How are you intelligent? And one more problem the author identifies with the traditional education system is that it trains you on being always ‘right’. It will not prepare you for being wrong or taking risks or trying out something new, he says. Also some of the stories give the message that our age is no barrier to finding our element. Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocal lens when he was 78 years; so as Agatha Christie who wrote the world’s longest play when she was 68 years. The message for me here is that we will always have our talents in us for a very long time and it is up to us to recover them by constantly exercising upon them. 

Some days back I was thinking about an interesting idea of coming up with an initiative of for school children that makes them realize or identify their passion. Like a factory where children are exposed to different kinds of experiments and at the end of it they would identify what they really like. I was discussing the same with a friend and we were brainstorming very deeply on this topic. I feel this is what missing in our education system. They will never try to make an effort in helping children finding their talent. Instead they will fill them up with existing knowledge and limit them with their own knowledge boundary. 

One more chapter that moved me very much is ‘For love or money’ where the author discusses about the Amateurs. I was in the zone while reading it and almost did an assessment on me while reading the chapter. It makes one realize how important hobbies are and how exactly an amateur with respect to a certain skill can come up with some amazing stuff that even a professional cannot do? And there are several examples quoted that make you wonder how can there be a world without amateurs? Some of the stories included are of Arthur C. Clarke, Susan Hendrickson, Tiff Wood, Khaled Hosseini and some others. All of them are true amateurs and have achieved greater results being in their elements. 

This book is a very simulating read for everyone. Every one of us should read this book and get to know how identifying our element transforms our lives. Reading this book can also leave you depressed, if you have not identified your element or you are fed up of what you are doing and struggling hard to find what you like. But still, reading this may help you out answering some of your queries and gives a lot back to you through those inspiring stories. 

End of the day, if you are not in the zone, step back and ask yourself – They all have it in them to be in their zone, do I have it in me? 

Read some of the excerpts from the book The Element here.

Link to the TED video of Sir Ken Robinson here. 

Book: The Element

Author: Sir Ken Robinson

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 274

ISBN: 978-0-141-04525-2

Srikanth

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Be the change you want to see- Education in Karnataka

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Sibal’s new mantra

I do not know how to take this new mantra.

Today afternoon, I picked up the Deccan Herald and started reading. Sunday spot light said “HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s education reforms must pass the test of ‘Quality’ and ‘Actual learning’”. This tempted me to read more and under this major heading there were four separate columns. I read all the four columns. After reading all the articles, my impression about the HRD minister did not change. I felt the reforms that he is trying to bring in are like empty sweet boxes. His intentions could be right but I think the basic ground work and a deep analysis on the current system is very much necessary to bring in some changes to it. Sibal is now known for making big announcements and seeking attention over it. He has an average of one major announcement every month. His objective may be is to revolutionize the India’s education sector, but my question to him would be, is he going in the right direction?

There were many announcements that created a lot of arguments amongst us in the recent past. Like the following: Making Class X board exam optional, setting up an over arching higher education body, proposal for an education finance corporation to provide easy loan and list goes on. While we are all still in the process of understanding what exactly is in Sibal’s mind, we are not given enough time to do so before we could hear his next major announcement. The major issue I had with accepting some of his new changes were not on his intentions, but on what exactly is the current need in the system? Are we equipped enough to come up with new reforms? Have we looked in to all the basic needs before we make any new changes? And finally it zero downs to Quality. Before we even make some systemic changes, basic problems like quality of education, adequate infrastructure and the like should be taken care. When there is no quality in teaching, how will it matter if a student takes the class X board exam or not? Basically, there is no focus on ‘Actual learning’ of a student.

Now again, the latest hot announcement is that he is coming up with a new proposal of posting business graduates as head masters of rural high schools to run them effectively. Does this mean the head masters of the schools who are currently running the operations are ineffective? And is it as simple a solution to replace them with business graduates? This is where I think Mr. Sibal is taking decisions without analyzing the actual need. A government school in a rural set up; even in a semi-urban set up is flooded with so many problems. Very basic problems like, non-availability of adequate teachers, the quality of teaching, basic infrastructure, managing the students, maintenance, cleanliness, proper allocation of funds, retaining students throughout the year, ratio of students joining the school and many more such problems. Without fixing them, no matter who joins as the head master of the school, will he/she be effective? Or if they hire business graduates, will they be effective?

And, I do agree that we need to take the Indian education system to the global standard. At the same time, in doing so, we need to prioritize the actions and take decisions accordingly. Getting fascinated over the systems followed in other countries, implementing new reforms without thinking about our internal problems, will be a great challenge and will run into serious problems. All we need to do is to fix our internal problems first and then talk about bringing new reforms. After implementing all these reforms, if a student ends up not learning anything; what is it that we achieve? Having so many things to learn from our past failures, without fixing them and thinking of new measures is certainly a focus beyond what is required.

There is one more disappointment to add to. As we know majority of the India is rural, it is disheartening to see that there is no or very less focus on rural technology and agricultural education. This shows that, there is no in depth analysis made on what exactly is required for us. Agricultural education is to be given more weightage in rural areas and encourage people who have left the villages to go back to their villages to continue with agriculture. I do not think how serious this problem could be for us in the future if nothing is done on this aspect!

Now, coming back to the effective management of the school, Instead of bringing new business graduates, I think they should train the existing faculty and the head masters of all the schools. A program needs to be developed to equip them with some of the best management practices that they can adopt in smooth functioning of the school. This is very much doable and I have seen some initiatives of Azim Premji Foundation and Govt of Karnataka doing it jointly. I have seen the result of it by personally visiting some of the schools in northern districts of Karnataka. Teachers and the School management were trained on the ‘Quality Management’ tools. I think it worked out beautifully.

We need such programs in a larger scale. These programs will help in strengthening the existing systems. More private players, NGOs and other talented individuals should be given stake in the whole process. They should start looking at some of the new ways of hiring teachers like hiring retired professionals, involving senior citizens who are knowledgeable, hiring part time teaching volunteers, collaborating with corporate to train on several aspects and many more. Our system should not focus on examinations and certificates; those are secondary. Primary focus should be the quality and the actual learning of the student.

So, I think without fixing the basic issues that we have, coming up with fancy reforms will never help. And eventually Indian education system will not get the expected recognition globally. Sibal needs to look in to all such matters and also more importantly, hear to some of the researchers who are trying to come up with some good suggestions in doing so. People are ready to help. Work with them.

So, I am not too sure of what is there for us in the coming future. Perhaps! One more announcement of ‘5 working days and 2 weekend holidays for all government schools’?

Srik

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Idiotic tale of a reality

My take on 3 Idiots!

It is so chaotic to see so many discussions happening on the latest hit movie 3 Idiots. I am glad that I watched the movie before it is too late to observe its impact. While I support Chetan Bhagat over the credit issue, there are lot many issues emerging out of the story. Chetan Bhagat’s best seller book Five Point Someone is what the movie’s story is based on (in my view atleast 70-80% of the movie has the same story). But it is being claimed as an original story by the production unit. Here is the full story on the controversy. I feel sad for the writers having cheated in this manner. May be this is an eye opener for many of the authors to get into a proper agreement to have the proper ownership of the story. Well, many of the fans of Chetan Bhagat are with him and we all will support him.

Even though it is a fictious novel and which is why it is being showcased as a movie, it has a social message to spread among people. It talks about the current education system. I was happy to see such a critical problem being projected so well. Of course, it is over exaggerated because it should entertain people. Raj Hirani, Aamir Khan and team have done a wonderful job and have outperformed beyond ones expectations. It was a much needed effort and the reality of the current education system is projected very well. Also they have given much scope for innovation and original work. We all are well aware of the loopholes in the current system, at the same time; we are yet to bridge the gap between the Industry needs and the knowledge being delivered in the institutes. In spite of such harsh realities, are we making any progress? Will it be taken seriously whenever they show it through movies like 3 idiots?

While most of us are happy with the outcome of the movie and thinking about how do we solve the problem that is being shown with respect to the education system, here are few people who wrote negatively about the whole issue. I think people are not ready to accept the reality and find a solution for it. They think there is no need to present it like the way it is. And because of their analysis, people should start thinking negatively about it. Their claim is that 3 idiots will only create a nation of idiots. I strongly disagree with the same. Following this blog, there was even a 30 minute panel discussion on CNN-IBN to discuss about the impact of the movie. The question that was being addressed was “Is 3 idiots an accurate depiction of Higher Education”. Although I am happy with the public response (73% said yes), I thought the question was very silly. After all, it is a movie and it is based on a fictious story. Exaggerated a bit on many aspects but the message was very clear that there is a strong need for reforms in education system. So, obviously, people like me, who believe that there is a need for change in the system, have voted ‘yes’ for the question.

Now, what are the harsh realities that the movie projects?

1. Current education system sucks. This is basically the pressure that is created on every student which is leading for many suicides.

2. Pressure from parents to become Doctor or an Engineer only. Even though you and I have our talents and competencies in other areas.

3. Scope for innovation in the current system.

4. Lack of good professors in the current system.

5. Education is not just to get a degree certificate.

6. Level of ragging in most of the institutes and its impacts.

7. Living your passion.

My own analysis:

1. I have undergone many such pressures where we were asked to work on assignments that were not relevant like donkeys.

2. Most of the syllabus I studied was outdated while I was studying.

3. I had no good lecturers (only few exceptions) until I reached my post graduation (even there only a few).

4. My parents wanted me to become an Engineer. I disappointed them. I was lucky.

5. Many of my friends became engineers because of their parents’ pressure.

6. Like one of my friend said, other than getting the degree that helped to get a job, I only got good friends during my schooling and graduation days.

7. What I studied is completely different from what I am working on currently.

8. I have seen many who studied just for the certificates and just for money.

9. Actual learning for me was when I joined my job.

10. All my exams were focused on passing and marks. I was relieved when I passed all my exams.

11. I used to fear of failing in exams.

12. I have seen my own classmates attempting for suicide because of the pressure from parents and teachers.

13. I feel guilty when I see someone who got good education. There are only few IITs and IIMs. What about the rest? What about places other than major cities?

14. I have seen teachers ruining students’ lives!

What is showed in the movie is exactly the same. The loopholes of the current system are presented in an entertaining way. And people have problems with that as well. My analysis and comments may depend on many factors; but there are many people like me in India who have gone through the same. What I am trying to do now is to do something to bridge the gap. Every Indian must watch the movie and take the message positively to work on building a better system. We are now in a position to demand a good and promising education from the system. This movie is just a minor part of the whole issue. Let us not argue over the movie. Let us now think about the reforms.

If we think that the movies like this will produce national idiots, it is most certain that we are not challenging the reality to come up with a solution. Rather, ducking out of the reality saying there are no negatives in the system. Let us all forget about the movie but not the reality that is leaving us with less competitiveness.

Let us live our Passion! Dream! And achieve more!

Srik

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