A wonderful art exhibition was going on, and Sudeshna was on cloud nine. After all, her painting had been put on display and hundreds of people had visited the art gallery so far. There were other paintings by other artists getting displayed as well.
Surabhi, a friend of Sudeshna was one of the visitors. They both greeted each other, but Sudeshna noticed that Surabhi had a somewhat troubled expression on her face. ‘Is everything all right, Surabhi?’
‘Sudeshna, I was walking up here, and outside I saw a list of names. They had all won various prizes for their pieces. Some even really big rewards. Your name was not there. I think you deserved a prize for this.’
‘Oh! Of course, that list! I know what you are talking about. I know some people on the list; some of my good friends and really talented people. I am happy for them.’
Surabhi was touched by Sudeshna’s ability to be happy for others but she was also a bit angry now. She asked, ‘But Sudeshna, don’t you feel even a little sad about not making the list?’ Surabhi wanted to ask her if it didn’t feel like a waste of effort that she didn’t win anything, but held back since she didn’t want to sound too harsh. But her expression, even if held only for a second before she put up a smile, was read by Sudeshna.
‘Oh, you think the painting here has been put up, but to no avail? That it’s all a wasted effort if there has been no prize? Childish consolation prize kind of thing?’
Surabhi couldn’t say anything but Sudeshna knew she had read Surabhi’s mind.
Sudeshna explained ‘See, I get your empathy, and I am grateful to have a friend who wants me to excel to the best of my abilities. But my primary goal in putting effort in this painting was to become the person that painting something like this would compel me to be. I feel like a changed person, and I think that’s a big enough win for me. For now.’
Surabhi looked a bit puzzled, so Sudeshna continued, ‘There are lots of people in the list who won by sheer good luck, no denying that. Some are genuinely talented. I wish them all well. I also wish that the winners have got a boost to keep developing their skills and upgrading their goals. I hope they don’t simply rest on their laurels. I see that a lot of the winners seem to have remained the same persons.
‘Their attitude before and after finishing their paintings remains the same. I on the other hand feel like a different person- I understood my capacity to work hard, I know what needs to be improved, I feel grateful and at peace that even when I didn’t technically ‘win’ I have so many people visiting me and congratulating, complimenting on my painting. Not having a name on the list is one minor negative to an otherwise very positive result.’
Surabhi was left an awe of Sudeshna’s attitude. Just then a major artist of the city, who Sudeshna had invited specially for the event, walked over to Sudeshna’s painting and started what looked like a fruitful discussion. This was a ‘win’.
What lessons do we have from Sudeshna’s ‘win’?
Attitude matters:
There is always a silver lining in everything. The bigger goal, the larger perspective is what matters. Winning prizes, awards and certificates is a good thing. But the larger goal should be to cultivate that attitude, that set of traits, skills, competence and enjoyment in the process that help you grow and move forward. Prizes, awards, and certificates will work short-term, but in the long run it’s the process of it all, the attitude and willingness to grow and adapt that matter.
Meaningful networking:
It takes only one influential person to notice your work and capability for your life to change. Endless networking with hundreds of people and hoping something fruitful to come out of it is leaving things to chance. But networking mindfully and meaningfully is taking control in your own hands. Both approaches have their place, and it is up to us which one we wish to take.
And finally, show up and start, the rest will fall into place. Sudeshna didn’t win the prize, and her name was not on the list of winners. However, she was still expected to be at the exhibition. She could have sulked and skipped it all, wondering what’s the point if she didn’t ‘win’. But she anyway decided to show up, be cheerful about it, and stand by her own sense of achievement. That confidence, that sense of self-assuredness, the sense that one knows where one stands, and one is willing to grow and learn shows. It all shows in one’s conduct and attitude. And that’s a big win.