What made me create this Yard.........
When I turned 48, I introspected on my past life; and I realized that I had spent many unproductive years in my teen age & struggled to achieve a lot of dreams and ambitions. It took a long time to realize my strengths and weaknesses which I did by spending time with senior professionals and people in my personal realm. I nourished myself in all ways possible. But yes, crucial time was lost. I do not want the next generation to go through the same cycle. Through this blog, I wish to pass on some mantras, some guiding principles that will help the youth of today to fast-track their life goals. This blog will help them identify a mentor or coach around them. It will also teach them humility, patience and perseverance, which are most important traits needed in today’s digital world, which offers distractions in garb of attractions.
What can readers look forward to here ?
Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done.”
– G. M. Trevelyan
Every change worthwhile in the world has been brought forth by the youth. The youth have a lot of uniqueness, that needs to be tapped for bringing about change, not just in themselves, but in the world around them.
But given the societal conditions, and constant mental flux within their own minds, they stay confused and rudderless, not knowing what to do next.
This blog aims to do just that; Orient the youth towards a direction that they choose on their own. They will learn to make their own choices, carve their own destiny, compose a work-life balance in their lives.
Other questions on their mind pertaining to academics, family, love, relationships and all issues that affect them and are part of their psychographics will be covered here. How they can grow the way they want, answer the ‘Whys’ in their life, form a part of this narrative.
I am an Indian settled in Japan since 2005. I am a dreamer, but my dreams are complemented by exceptional execution capabilities. I strongly believe that learning while earning and a positive attitude can help achieve whatever one aims for. I would love to contribute to the society by engaging /guiding the next-generation youth in achieving their dreams. This is my life mission that I have now taken up with all my passion.
(Me in 20’s)
My roots lie in a small town in South India, in a lower middle-class family, struggling with a lack of education, exposure and lifestyle. I always dreamt of creating a comfortable and personal lifestyle for myself. But due to economic burden, I had to start a job at 20 after my 10+3 technical school education, when I moved to Bangalore city which was a very different world for village boy. Lack of proficiency in English and not being very wordlywise made my life difficult. Also, unnerving was being surrounded by wealthy and successful people, obeying senior mentor’s advice, always wondering what was the best way to be successful in life. Somehow, I managed to complete evening BE college in Mechanical engineering.
Career began with a job. Marriage happened. Choosing the right partner was a critical decision. Latha and I started our journey with the correct value and incredible coordination. We started life from scratch with meagre financial earnings. We realized how money plays a vital role in our lives at this stage. Still, I experienced that money cannot buy happiness and healthy relationships.
My Mentors/Support/Coach in 20’s
– Thimmegowda
– Ramesh CRS
– Raghav Badhya
– Sridhar B.V
(Me in 30’s)
I was highly ambitious. So, I pursued my Masters at Chicago University and took the next level challenge in my career… that of taking up an overseas assignment in Sales, serving the Indian and European markets. My humble and respectful attitude towards all helped and I took upon more challenging assignments given by my management. Needless to say, I grabbed the opportunity to work in Singapore & Japan, and also happened to stay in Japan with my family. Japan was quite new to me and in this new environment, I faced challenges in language and culture. Still, I and my wife & kids never gave up because we could see our cherished dream of leading a comfortable life, coming true. Another challenge I took up was enrolling my children in a regular Japanese school to prepare because we wanted to make them unique in future.
My Mentors/Support/Coach in 30’s
– Sankaran K.S
– Kudo Hisao
– Suzuki Masharu
– Gruber Reinhard
I lived a comfortable life with my own house and luxury car in Japan. Still, I used to get disturbed in my comfort zone because I felt, it hampered career growth. I did not want to be complacent and that’s why I took the biggest risk in my life to pursue my MBA ( Evening college) one of the top ranked business school in Tokyo called GLOBIS.
I was 46. I juggled work, family, evening classes and overseas tours to complete my course at 48. It was my life’s biggest achievement. I was a LIVE case study for my friends and family.
It was also the time when I was promoted to higher responsibilities.
I joined Head office and joined management cadre.
My Mentors/Support/Coach in 40’s
– Suzuki Shingo
– Kobayashi Katsuya
– Tamura Yasuyuki
– Namba Hidekazu
What lies 10 years ahead ?
I am ambitious person who dreams and take action towards fulfilling the dream; once I reach that position I plan for the next 10 years ahead and start working towards that.
I am constantly dreaming about how I should be after 10 years, and start working towards it, planning backwards. I assess the current situation and challenges I am facing, what steps I need to tackle to reach my dream amongst others. I have always had these thoughts from my college days itself. Whenever I saw any successful people, I tried to understand how they achieve in their life. I don’t copy anyone. I study them and their success mantras and then adapt my self based on my capacity and capability.
I am proud to say that whatever I dreamt, I got more than that. In my 20s, I dreamt about a successful career in multinational company job and a right partner who can understand my thoughts, ambition and ability to help and support me in my quest.
In my early 30s, I aimed for settling down overseas with family and upgrading my learning & education for a better lifestyle. I fulfilled that dream in Japan, learnt Japanese language and also pursued my Masters in Chicago. Also as an elder son did my best to make my parents comfort al life by constructing house for them in their native place.
In my early 40s, I worked towards owning a house, ensuring good education for my children and moving to management level in the organization. Yes, I fulfilled all my dreams.
Next 10 Years, I do have some plans about further growth and giving back to society also be mentor and motivator for next-generation youth; that is the reason I started this website /blog out to reach the next generation; I am sure I can succeed in this journey with support of our readers.
Work life challenges in my life
After graduation, I started looking for a job and went through many hurdles. The belief was strong that I will get one. I am sure everybody goes through this phase.
I started my work life in ~ 1994 with one of the lowest salaries possible (5$/month) because of primary education. Then I moved to 50$/month for next 3 years. It was tough to lead a bachelor’s life. Some health problem compelled me to quit my job. Parents also were forcing me to return to my village, citing that city life did not suit me. But my instinct told me never to leave the city. I did not want to return with ‘failure’ stamped on my forehead.
I shifted gears, started learning computer courses (AUTO CAD), and then searched for a job. I got the job at a lesser salary that I was earning before (30 $/month as compared to $50 before) as it was a brand new career choice and also was quite new for me.
I had to go through a lot of embarrassment and insults due to my rural roots. But I treated it as a learning phase and created more hunger in my mind; I was not angry with anyone. On the contrary those insults shaped me in correcting my attitude. One of my colleagues (Pradeep) gave me a reference of his neighbor (Praveen) and I got the chance to work in Makino India (Japanese company) in ’97, I started with 100$/month which was double of what I was getting, but I would say, it was due to my educational qualifications, and not because of the Japanese company. Around that time, I got an offer from Dubai for almost 500 $/month (5 times of what I was getting). Tempting offer, but I chose to give it up . I chose the challenging decision to stay in Makino at 100$ package only because I want to excel at what I did there. This was the best decision in my life.
After joining Makino India again, I faced the same situation and challenges… MNC culture, my lack of self confidence, English language constraint… all of them haunted me. I went through the same duress again. But I survived, stayed strong and in fact, prospered there.
I have been with the same company for the last 25 years but have moved internally, worked in different departments and locations (Bangalore, Singapore & Japan).
Still, I keep trying to re-wire myself, convert challenges into opportunities and adjusting in any environment.
My Fat -> Fit Journey
From 20 to 26 years I spent as a bachelor, living life on my own. After my marriage lifestyle got changed with delicious food on my plate, that led to slow gaining of weight. It didn’t worry me much till I was 34 years old, had just finished my Masters and realized that I was 92 kilos. It hit me hard when I posted my photos on social media and they invited ridicule for my weight.
In my company, I requested to change my department to overseas sales. As a salesman, I need to showcase my personality to the customer before they believe in my product. At 92 kg, my appearance sent across a very negative perception to my customer. So, I decided to lose weight and reaped professional and personal growth out of it.
Believe it or not, in 1 year, I lost 20kg. It was a massive transformation. I studied the scientific process to lose weight. I tried many ways, failed and again change my course of action. Eventually, I tried to understand my body structure and adopt the methods where my body & mind listen and act in tandem.
Many people discouraged me in my journey, saying, I looked like a patient. But I knew the purpose of why I wanted to reduce and what kind of positive impact it will have on my future and in my personal & professional career.
After the transformation, I am happy to share that many of my friends & colleagues are motivated and have started taking my support.
I have made sure hit a gym a minimum 4 to 5 times and it has been a practice for last 14 years. This fat-to-fit journey shaped my body and created a lot of positive and confident vibes around me, which helps to take on every sort of challenges.
After transformation most of my friends & co-worker got motivated, indirectly that makes me to be alert that i need to maintain myself otherwise i will be the bad example for them.
In a hectic and even though high demanding working days and times. workout always gives such relax and reboot our brain system.
I never keep the workout routine fixed timings, if i get any 1 hour slot in 24 hours it’s fine. even in official overseas travel also make sure hotel has Gym to fulfill my routine task.
How experience helps?
In life, we need to have experience other than doing a daily routine activity. At every stage of life, there will be situations which we need to go through. For example, in teenage, cigarette and alcohol. We indulge in such vices with friends and face many problems. I feel that we need to be aware of our boundaries and we need to create boundaries around us by ourselves and not wait for family, friends and circumstances to force us.
Yes, I came across the same situation and experienced that all teenagers go through. Still, it was easy for me to make my own boundary with advice of elders and their support.
I participated in all types of sports activities like Tennis, Swimming, Gymming, Golf, Fishing and evening night outs, spending time with friends.
As I mentioned, we can convert the good experiences into our hobbies, while the not so good ones need to be exercised under controlled limits.
How my life with Family / friend?
Family and friends are essential in our life. When you have the right set of people around you, it can boost our motivation and help us achieve whatever we aim to. At the same time, if we are with the wrong set of people, we will ruin our life and start blaming everyone in hindsight.
Blood relations, who we grow up with, are a source of love and lovely experiences. But, till to a particular stage. Our duty and responsibility is to make sure that our family members are always happy whichever way is possible.
No one can take the place of Father and Mother until our last breath. It is our fundamental responsibility to make sure that they are happy. We can choose whether to be connected to other relatives and friends, but not in case of parents.In my case, I have a close connection with my parents. With my other siblings, we make sure to have weekly connections through video calls every weekend.
I am proud to have such a wonderful and understanding wife in Latha Vasu. Because of her cooperation, I have achieved so much in my life. We are blessed with son (Pratheek Vasu)& daughter (Harshitha Vasu). My son was born in 2001 and completed his education in a Japanese school in the Japanese language. He is now in the UK, pursuing further studies, and my daughter, born in 2007 is currently studying in junior high school in Japan. she is pursuing playing Indian traditional instrumental called “Veena”.
We always make sure to spend sufficient time with parents, brother & family members. This relation rejuvenates your life. We can maintain good ties if don’t have any hidden agendas. I just know one thing. We should show our love and affection without expectation from others, only then our life will be more happy and and we achieve satisfaction.
Taking financial risk in right time
Managing money and investing at the right time is very important in our life; in my case, I always tried to listen to my heart. I never decided on any investment on others advice. It is always wise to have to decide along with your partner’s opinions.
I would like to give one of my real life examples. We bought an asset by paying 3 times more than what we had money to spend; at that time, many people discouraged our approach. We were very clear it is hard-earned money, and it will guard us in future and yes I got very good returns.
The reason I am trying to highlight here is whenever we spend or invest in any asset or ornaments make sure it has a purpose to investment; never ever invest for the sake of impressing others. If that is the path in our life, there is no end and no limit, we may end up with more burden if we start investing in for impressing others.
What makes me Learning while Earning?
While earning, it is very easy to relax and get into a comfort zone. Whenever the salary comes we can enjoy life. In my childhood, I came across a lot of incidents that told me that without education, no one will respect you. At the age of 14 when I went to the factory where my father was working, I saw an incident where a young engineer was shouting at my father regarding some work-related issue. My father struggled to face him even though it was not his mistake. After that, I asked my father what happened?
He told me one thing that has stayed with me even today: “Those people are educated, and our duty and responsibility is to respect them irrespective of their age.” The statement made a significant impact on my life. He further told me : “Don’t be like me, focus on your study, and you will reach a higher position in life.”
But given our financial conditions, I was not able to study further. I joined a roadside sheetmetal fabrication shop and worked in welding department. This was just for survival, just to earn my daily bread. However, somewhere at the back of my mind, I was not happy that I was still struggling in doing a labor intensive work because we didn’t have the resources to fund my education.
Early 90s was a time when computers boomed. I started taking evening computer classes to level up my skill and join computer engineering related jobs even though the salary was lesser than previous company. With this initial approach, I realized that learning. At the same time, earning will have a lot of positive impact on our daily lives and continue in the same way. Each stage when I upgraded myself in education, I made sure that I utilize those skills in my daily job by asking our company management to change my department
So, I started earning once I completed Diploma when I was 20 years old. My journey of learning while earning had begun. Later, I learnt Auto CAD, Multimedia, Graphic Designing, Mechanical Engineering (@26 years), Master’s in Industrial Technology Management (@34 years) & Masters in Business Administration (@48 years).
In 2007, Masters Degree (USA)
In 2020, MBA (Japan)
