Finding Inspiration

One of the cardinal principles of successful people is their ability to find great mentors or find Inspiration. It reminds me of Eklavya and Drona; but, it is a different line of thought, which I would blog on, later on. I learned from my experience is to find someone who inspires us to achieve bigger and better things in life – a source of constant motivation!! It is not often that we come across people who inspires, motivates and influences us. It is undeniable that we are influenced by our parents, family, friends, teachers and colleagues. We often gets inspired by, often then not, people in public, whom we hardly know (in person)...like a Narayana Murthy, a mother Theresa or a Mahatma Gandhi. The issue here about public icons is; we only "hear" about their great deeds (some of them may be exaggerated) and do not have an opportunity to see their actions in person or experience their greatness. I am fortunate to have seen an near-ordinary person, who sets goals and achieves them!! In the process inspires us to do many "tiny" things each day to fulfill our desires and inch closer to what we want to achieve in our lives.

When I first went to US, there is this guy, whom I have met in Cary, North Carolina in early 1994. I found him to be articulate and incredibly smart. Naturally, I wanted to spend some time with him, learn a few things from him. Fortunately, he was in the same apartment complex that I was staying. At that time, I did not know, he how he would make an impression, that I would carry all my life. In those days, I was very impressed with his academic credentials: A Batchelors degree from elite NIT, Trichy and an MBA from IIM Calcutta!! That was just a start...many people might have much better embellishments. As I learned more about him and his many passions: Help people become rich, his interests in Marathons, Mountaineering, Yoga, Music and public speaking….it was like trying to figure out the depth of an ocean. Most of his interests, to an extent became my passions as well, but haven't pursued with the same zeal as my friend.

I used to see him on the treadmill….diligent and disciplined; practicing at least an hour. I found him to be a super fast "reader" as well. He has been trying to do his MBA from a US university. He got his admission in Duke but he refused. Duke, is a top 5 university and closer to Cary, NC (may be 20 Miles). He told me, he wants to get admitted to the best of the best…..at that time it was Wharton. Given his tenacity, he got it in Wharton the next year. He joined McKinsey (A "cartier" of consulting firms), right after his 2nd MBA. Then, he became Vice President for Nextance. Now, he heads Adsense division at Google ( any takers of a job in Google?)!!

I recently heard that he won a Toastmasters Accolade, deserving so. I have followed his Treks to Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kanchenjunga. His wanderlust has taken him to Mongolia, Gambia and many exotic places….I would like you to share with me a rich canvas of this friend of mine : Gopi Kallayil. There are a few snippets of his life, in the following blogs, articles and an award winning toastmaster presentations…in youtube!!

Following will give you a glimpse of one achiever!!
http://kallayil.com/articles.htm
http://gopi.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN1RifUpi88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMXpuh6Npk

Let us set ourselves some goals and follow the path that gives us a sense of accomplishment and happiness.